Hey there, fellow traveler! Are you ready to elevate your next American Airlines journey from "just getting there" to "arriving refreshed"? Upgrading to Premium Economy on American Airlines can make a significant difference, especially on longer flights. Imagine more legroom, wider seats, enhanced dining, and a generally more comfortable experience. Sounds good, right? Let's dive into how you can make that happen, step-by-step!
How to Upgrade to Premium Economy on American Airlines: Your Complete Guide
Upgrading to Premium Economy isn't always a one-size-fits-all process. American Airlines offers several avenues, depending on your existing ticket, AAdvantage® status, and how you prefer to manage your travel.
Step 1: Understand What Premium Economy Offers (And Why You Want It!)
Before you even think about upgrading, let's make sure you know exactly what you're getting. Why are so many travelers keen on Premium Economy?
What to Expect from American Airlines Premium Economy:
More Space & Comfort: This is often the biggest draw! You'll enjoy wider seats (around 18.5-19 inches) with significantly more legroom (typically 38 inches of pitch) compared to standard Economy (16-18 inches width, 31-32 inches pitch). Most Premium Economy seats also feature additional recline and footrests or leg rests, making it easier to relax or even catch some sleep.
Enhanced Dining Experience: Forget those standard economy meals. In Premium Economy, you'll be treated to chef-inspired meals, often served on real tableware with white tablecloths on international flights. Plus, you get complimentary beer, wine, and spirits.
Priority Services: This is a game-changer for a smoother airport experience. You'll benefit from priority check-in, faster security (where available), and Group 4 priority boarding. Upon arrival, your checked bags will be among the first to be delivered, saving you valuable time.
In-Flight Amenities: On many long-haul international flights, you'll receive an amenity kit (often with brands like Shinola and D.S. & Durga) containing essentials like socks, an eye mask, lotion, and earplugs. You'll also get noise-reducing headphones and a Casper sleep set including a lumbar pillow and blanket.
Connectivity: Every seat in Premium Economy is equipped with power outlets and USB ports, ensuring your devices stay charged throughout your flight. Wi-Fi access is also typically available (though usually for a fee).
In essence, Premium Economy bridges the gap between the Main Cabin and Business Class, offering a significantly elevated experience without the full Business Class price tag.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility and Flight Type
Not all flights or tickets are eligible for Premium Economy upgrades. This is a crucial step to avoid disappointment.
Sub-heading 2.1: Flight Routes and Aircraft
American Airlines Premium Economy is primarily available on its wide-body aircraft (Boeing 777s, 787-8s, 787-9s, and some 777-200s). These aircraft typically serve:
Long-haul international routes (e.g., to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand).
Select long-haul domestic routes (e.g., to Hawaii).
If your flight is a shorter, domestic route on a narrow-body aircraft, Premium Economy might not be an option. You might instead find "Main Cabin Extra," which offers more legroom but not the full Premium Economy experience.
Sub-heading 2.2: Original Ticket Class
Generally, if you've booked a Basic Economy fare, your upgrade options are more limited. While some upgrades from Basic Economy may be possible by calling American Airlines, it's often easier and more straightforward if you have a Main Cabin ticket.
Step 3: Explore Your Upgrade Options
American Airlines provides a few primary methods for upgrading to Premium Economy. Let's break them down.
Sub-heading 3.1: Paying for an Upgrade (Cash Offers)
This is often the most straightforward way, assuming availability.
Online or via the American Airlines App:
After Booking: Log in to your reservation on aa.com or through the American Airlines app. Look for an "Upgrade" or "Change Seat" option. If a Premium Economy upgrade is available for a cash fee, it will typically be displayed. These offers are dynamic and can change based on demand and how close you are to departure. Sometimes, prices might go down closer to departure, but there's also a risk of no seats being available.
Check-in: You might also receive upgrade offers when you check in for your flight online or via the app, or even at the airport kiosk.
Via American Airlines Reservations: If you don't see an online offer or prefer to speak with someone, you can always call American Airlines Reservations. They can check availability and provide you with a quote. This is particularly useful if you have a complex booking or are traveling with multiple passengers.
Sub-heading 3.2: Using AAdvantage Miles (Mileage Upgrades)
Utilizing your AAdvantage miles is a popular way to upgrade. However, there are important changes to be aware of, especially as of August 12, 2025.
Current Mileage Upgrade Awards (Until August 11, 2025): Until August 11, 2025, you can still request mileage upgrade awards using the existing award chart. These typically involve a certain number of miles plus a cash co-pay, varying by route. These upgrades are not always instant and may put you on a waitlist. To request these, you usually need to call American Airlines Reservations.
New Instant Upgrade with Miles (Starting June 12, 2025, and exclusive from August 12, 2025): American Airlines is transitioning to an "Instant Upgrade" system where you can use miles (or cash) to upgrade when eligible seats are available.
How it works: You can find your trip on aa.com (up to 24 hours before departure) or in the American app. If an upgrade-eligible seat is available, you'll see the option to upgrade instantly using miles. The pricing for these upgrades is dynamic, meaning it can vary.
Key Change: After August 11, 2025, the old mileage upgrade award chart will no longer be accepted for new requests. All mileage upgrades will fall under the dynamic "Instant Upgrade" system. This means you won't know the exact mileage cost until you check for your specific flight.
Important Note on Mileage Upgrades: Award tickets and Basic Economy tickets are generally not eligible for mileage upgrades.
Sub-heading 3.3: Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs)
Systemwide Upgrades are highly coveted benefits primarily for American Airlines AAdvantage® elite members (Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Million Miler™ members at certain tiers).
How they work: SWUs allow you to upgrade a paid fare to the next class of service (e.g., from Premium Economy to Business Class, or Economy to Business Class, or in some cases, Economy or Premium Economy to Business Class if your flight has three cabins).
Using SWUs for Premium Economy: While SWUs are typically used for Business or First Class, if you're holding an Economy ticket on a flight that also has a Premium Economy cabin, an SWU could potentially move you from Economy to Premium Economy if Business Class isn't available. You can request or waitlist for a Systemwide Upgrade on aa.com or the American app.
Availability: SWUs are subject to availability and are prioritized based on your AAdvantage® status and other factors.
Sub-heading 3.4: Complimentary Upgrades (For Elite Members)
While complimentary upgrades are more common for domestic First Class, it's worth noting their role.
Elite Status: AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum members receive complimentary upgrades on eligible flights within the U.S. (including Hawaii), and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Premium Economy Considerations: While direct complimentary upgrades to Premium Economy are less common as a primary benefit, sometimes elite members may be offered a complimentary move to Premium Economy if Business Class isn't available for a complimentary upgrade, or in oversold situations in economy. This is often at the discretion of airport agents. It's not a guaranteed upgrade path.
Step 4: The Step-by-Step Process for Initiating Your Upgrade
Now that you know the options, let's walk through the practical steps.
Sub-heading 4.1: Online (Website or App)
Log In: Go to aa.com or open the American Airlines app. Log in to your AAdvantage® account.
Find Your Trip: Navigate to "My Trips" or "Manage Trips" and locate your upcoming flight reservation.
Look for Upgrade Options:
On the trip details page, look for buttons or links like "Upgrade," "Change Seats," or "Modify Flight."
If a cash upgrade to Premium Economy is available, it will often be displayed with a price.
If you're looking for an "Instant Upgrade" with miles (after June 12, 2025), this option should also appear here if available for your flight.
Select and Confirm: If you find an offer you like, follow the prompts to select the Premium Economy cabin and complete the payment (cash or miles).
Receive Confirmation: Once confirmed, you'll receive an updated itinerary via email. Check your new seat assignment.
Sub-heading 4.2: Phone (American Airlines Reservations)
Gather Information: Have your flight details (date, flight number, origin, destination), reservation code, and AAdvantage® number ready. Also, have your preferred payment method (credit card or AAdvantage® miles) handy.
Dial American Airlines: Call American Airlines Reservations. You can find the contact number on their official website under "Contact Us." For upgrades, dedicated lines might exist for AAdvantage® elite members.
Tip: Calling during off-peak hours (early mornings or late evenings) might reduce wait times.
State Your Intent Clearly: When connected, clearly state that you'd like to inquire about upgrading to Premium Economy.
Inquire About Options: Ask the agent about:
Availability of Premium Economy seats on your specific flight.
The cost of a cash upgrade.
Options for using AAdvantage® miles (if before August 12, 2025, inquire about mileage upgrade awards; after that, inquire about "Instant Upgrade" with miles).
If you have Systemwide Upgrades, ask about applying one.
Confirm and Pay: If an acceptable upgrade is available, confirm your choice. Provide your payment details (miles or credit card).
Verify: Ask the agent to send you an email confirmation with your updated itinerary. Double-check all details, especially your new seat assignment.
Sub-heading 4.3: At the Airport (Last-Minute Options)
While not always reliable, sometimes last-minute upgrades become available at the airport.
Check-in Kiosk: Look for upgrade offers when checking in at an American Airlines kiosk.
Gate Agent: If an upgrade hasn't cleared by check-in, you can politely inquire with the gate agent if any Premium Economy seats are available for purchase. Availability is not guaranteed, and prices may be higher or lower depending on demand. Elite members on the upgrade list will be prioritized if seats become available.
Step 5: What Happens After You Upgrade?
Congratulations, you've secured your Premium Economy seat! Here's what to expect next.
New Itinerary: You'll receive a revised e-ticket or itinerary confirming your new cabin.
Seat Selection: You should be able to select your specific seat within the Premium Economy cabin. If not, contact American Airlines to do so.
Enjoy the Perks: Remember to take advantage of the priority services (check-in, security, boarding) and amenities once onboard.
Loyalty Points & Miles Earning: Your original fare class often dictates how many Loyalty Points and miles you earn. An upgrade generally doesn't change the underlying fare class you purchased for earning purposes, unless you entirely re-ticket into a higher fare class. However, do confirm this with American Airlines if earning is a key concern for you.
Important Considerations and Tips:
Book Early: Especially for popular routes, Premium Economy seats can fill up quickly. The earlier you look into upgrading, the better your chances of securing a seat and potentially a better price.
Be Flexible: If your travel dates are flexible, you might find better upgrade availability or pricing on less busy flights.
Monitor Your Flight: Keep an eye on your reservation on the American Airlines app or website. Sometimes upgrade offers appear or change.
Read the Fine Print: Always understand the terms and conditions of your upgrade, including any refund or change policies, especially if you're using miles or paying a significant cash amount.
AAdvantage Status: If you're a frequent flyer, maintaining or achieving AAdvantage status significantly increases your chances of upgrade opportunities, whether through complimentary upgrades, Systemwide Upgrades, or better access to mileage upgrades.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check if Premium Economy is available on my American Airlines flight?
You can check for Premium Economy availability by logging into your reservation on aa.com or the American Airlines app and looking for upgrade options, or by calling American Airlines Reservations directly.
How to use AAdvantage miles to upgrade to Premium Economy on American Airlines?
Until August 11, 2025, you can call American Airlines Reservations to request a mileage upgrade award. After August 11, 2025, you can use the "Instant Upgrade" feature on aa.com or the app for dynamically priced upgrades with miles, if available.
How to know the cost of upgrading to Premium Economy on American Airlines?
The cost of upgrading varies based on the route, demand, and timing. You can find out the price by checking your reservation online/via the app for cash offers, or by calling American Airlines Reservations for a quote using cash or miles.
How to get a complimentary upgrade to Premium Economy on American Airlines?
While direct complimentary upgrades to Premium Economy are not a standard published benefit, AAdvantage® elite members might sometimes be offered a move to Premium Economy in specific situations, often at the discretion of airport agents, especially if a higher class upgrade doesn't clear or in oversold scenarios.
How to apply a Systemwide Upgrade (SWU) for Premium Economy on American Airlines?
If you're an AAdvantage® elite member with an SWU, you can apply it to your flight online through aa.com or the American app, or by calling American Airlines Reservations. SWUs are generally for upgrading to the next class of service.
How to upgrade a Basic Economy ticket to Premium Economy on American Airlines?
Upgrading a Basic Economy ticket can be challenging. It's best to call American Airlines Reservations directly to inquire about any possible upgrade options, as online options may be limited.
How to upgrade to Premium Economy at the airport on American Airlines?
You can inquire about last-minute paid upgrades to Premium Economy at an American Airlines check-in kiosk or with a gate agent, though availability is not guaranteed and prices can vary.
How to confirm my Premium Economy upgrade after payment?
After confirming your upgrade, you should receive an updated e-ticket or itinerary via email from American Airlines. You can also verify by logging into your reservation online or via the app.
How to choose my seat in American Airlines Premium Economy after upgrading?
Once your upgrade is confirmed, you should be able to select your seat within the Premium Economy cabin either online through your reservation on
How to understand the benefits of American Airlines Premium Economy before upgrading?
You can understand the benefits of Premium Economy by visiting the American Airlines website's "Premium Economy" section, which details features like seat dimensions, meal service, priority services, and amenities.