American Airlines Adjusts Elite Upgrade Policy on Long-Haul Domestic Flights
In a shift that may impact frequent flyers, American Airlines is tightening its complimentary upgrade offerings for elite AAdvantage members. Starting August 25, upgrades from economy to business class will no longer be available gratis on several lengthy domestic routes, including some transcontinental flights and trips to Hawaii.
Instead, passengers eligible for upgrades will be moved to premium economy, contingent upon seat availability. The affected routes include major connections such as New York to Los Angeles, Boston to San Francisco, and several routes to Hawaii from Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, and Chicago.
“As American Airlines expands its offering of Premium Economy on more domestic routes,” shared a spokesperson with Business Insider, “We are streamlining our complimentary upgrade process to deliver a more consistent customer experience.”
The airline clarified that elite travelers purchasing a premium economy fare or paying for an upgrade from economy to premium economy could still receive a complimentary upgrade to business class.
This change mirrors a broader trend within the airline industry, where carriers aim to secure revenue from their premier cabins. Delta, in 2025, modified its loyalty program to reward higher fare purchases, while United is expanding its premium cabin offerings to attract more high-end passengers.
Travel and aviation expert Zach Griff commented on the development via X, describing it as “bad news” for frequent flyers. He noted, “Delta will become the lone holdout to still allow space-available elite upgrades from economy to Delta One,” whereas United has already ceased offering complimentary upgrades on routes with Polaris cabins.
Gary Leff, a points expert and author of the aviation blog View from the Wing, remarked that American Airlines is “systematically squeezing out areas” where revenue might be lost. Although he considers the move broadly acceptable, he acknowledges it reduces the value for status members accustomed to upgrades from coach to business class. “To fly business with an upgrade you’ll need to first be in the premium economy cabin which costs more,” Leff noted, adding that he anticipated this change from American Airlines years ago.
