American Airlines and British Airways launch reciprocal upgrade certificates
Editor's Note
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that British Airways Gold elites have not received two additional vouchers.
American Airlines and British Airways have long been close airline partners — and this week, the relationship got even closer.
American Airlines frequent flyers can now cash in systemwide upgrade certificates for better seats on British Airways flights. And British Airways flyers can do the same on American Airlines flights. This is an exciting development, but there are some big restrictions you need to know.
Here’s what you need to know about using systemwide upgrades between American Airlines and British Airways.
How to use American Airlines upgrades on British Airways
How it works: You can obtain American Airlines systemwide upgrades after achieving American Airlines elite status. Systemwide upgrades allow you to move up one class of service when flying with British Airways on a ticket issued by American Airlines:
- You can upgrade most business-class fares to first class (“Z” fare code).
- You can upgrade premium economy fares to business class (“U” fare code).
- You can upgrade economy fares to premium economy (“P” fare code).
Each certificate can be redeemed for one-way travel with up to three segments. There are a handful of scenarios in which you cannot use systemwide upgrades on British Airways:
- Award flights (all cash fares are eligible).
- Flights that aren’t transatlantic or intra-Europe.
- Any flight not operated by British Airways.
Also, note that your itinerary must include both American Airlines and British Airways flights to qualify. For example, you can book New York to London with American and London to Prague with British Airways in economy and use a systemwide upgrade to upgrade the itinerary to business class.
How to do it: To use your AA systemwide upgrades, you’ll still have to book through the American Airlines website. You’ll just log in to your account and find the British Airways itinerary that suits you. You can then call American Airlines and ask them to redeem your upgrade. If no upgrades are available at the time, you can call back frequently to recheck.
Unfortunately, no waitlist exists for American Airlines systemwide upgrades on British Airways.
Related: How to use American Airlines systemwide upgrades
How to use British Airways upgrades on American Airlines
How it works: British Airways Gold members can use upgrade vouchers on select American Airlines flights ticketed by British Airways. BA elites earn these upgrade certificates when they hit certain tier point thresholds. You can upgrade seats from:
- Business class to first class (“A” fare class).
- Premium economy to business class (“C" fare class).
- Economy to business when the aircraft is not equipped with premium economy.
There are a few other restrictions to keep in mind:
- Award flights are not eligible.
- Only transatlantic and U.S. domestic flights are eligible.
- Economy seats can’t be upgraded to premium economy.
It's worth noting that there doesn’t appear to be a rule that your itinerary must include British Airways and American Airlines. In theory, you can use an upgrade voucher for any transatlantic American flight so long as you booked it through British Airways and there is open award space.
How to do it: As your ticket must be issued by British Airways, you’ll begin the booking process on the British Airways website. You’ll need to call British Airways to use your upgrade.
Again, there is no waitlist if you can’t find available upgrades. You will have to keep calling British Airways to check.
Bottom line
If you are paying to shuttle across the Atlantic on either American Airlines or British Airways and have elite status, this new reciprocal upgrade certificate acknowledgment should interest you.
However, many of us rarely pay for this airfare anyway because we know the best ways to get to Europe with points and miles — and pay practically nothing. Since these upgrade certificates can only be attached to paid fares, this policy change won’t affect as many as it might seem.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.