Instant Upgrade (IU) Information
General Overview
General Information for Travel Agencies PNRs/Orders
Name Correction
Schedule Change
Schedule Irregularity
Same Day Flight Change/Same Day Standby
Travel Notice
Instant Upgrade (IU) gives ticketed customers the self-service capability to upgrade to a higher cabin for an additional charge (form of payment options are available through the selling channels).
Customers may receive an Instant Upgrade offer via email or when viewing their reservation on aa.com, the mobile app, or through the AA Reservations desk. Depending on availability, the offer may apply to part or all of their itinerary.
To allow travel agencies to maintain control of the customer’s tickets, American does not reissue the ticket. Instead, payment is collected and an Ancillary EMD is issued with the Instant Upgrade information.
General Information for Travel Agencies PNRs/Orders
· Valid for: U.S. point of sale, American Airlines and American Eagle operated flights, both domestic and international itineraries.
· Upgrade options: Customers may upgrade any or all flight segments based on available offers.
· EMD issuance: American will issue EMDs for Instant Upgrade purchases, linked to the upgraded flight segments.
· Agency ticket control: SSRs will be added to the reservation to indicate the Instant Upgrade and confirm the agency retains control of the ticket.
Example:
OTHS INSTANT UPGRADE ANCILLARY EMD ISSUED 001XXXXXXXXXX
OTHS AGENCY RETAINS CONTROL OF TKT FOR REISSUES
· Booking: Instant Upgrade purchases are booked in F, J, or W inventory based on the upgraded cabin.
· Fare Restrictions: Not valid on AirPass and Military fares.
When a Schedule Change occurs, our automated system rebooks the customers in the upgraded cabin when available. However, travel agencies remain responsible for handling the ticket reissue on PNRs/Orders containing an Instant Upgrade (IU).
For further details and specific waiver code, see Schedule Change – Instant Upgrade Handling Procedures
When a Schedule Irregularity / IROPS occurs, our automated systems may rebook the customers in the upgraded cabin when available and reissue the affected coupons. Travel agencies may assist customers when they have not been re-accommodated or prefer alternate protection. The ticket exchange should be completed at the time of rebooking and at least 2 hours before the new departure time.
For further details and specific waiver code, see Schedule Irregularity / IROPS – Instant Upgrade Handling Procedures
Customers who purchased Instant Upgrade may take advantage of our Travel Notice policies. They can be rebooked on the upgraded inventory if available.
For general information about rebooking, refer to Travel Notice Exception Policy
For specific rebooking guidelines, refer to the individual Travel Notice listed on the Latest Communications page.
Customers who have purchased an Instant Upgrade and require a name correction, may refer to our Name Correction document for handling procedures. Please note that a specific waiver code applies to Instant Upgrade (IU) itineraries.
Voluntary changes to unused or partially used tickets require the itinerary to be rebooked and repriced. This results in the loss of any Instant Upgrade (IU) seat. Fare difference is calculated based on the original ticketed fare towards the new applicable fare.
· Rebook the customer for the new fare according to the ticketed fare rules.
· The new itinerary will be priced at applicable fares for the preferred cabin of service.
· An Upgrade offer is not guaranteed to be available for new flight(s).
· May only apply the ticketed fare value towards the price of the new ticket.
o The value of the Ancillary Upgrade EMD cannot be applied towards the voluntary change or toward another Instant Upgrade offer.
· You may advise the customer to submit a refund request for the IU EMD number(s) via Refund Request (aa.com)
o Voluntary changes or cancellations will receive a Trip Credit.
Same Day Flight Change / Same Day Standby
Flight segments upgraded through the Instant Upgrade process do not qualify for Same Day Flight Change or Same Day Standby.
Even though Instant Upgrade is non-refundable, customers that change flights voluntarily or involuntarily and lose the Upgrade seat, may request a refund on aa.com Refunds page: Refund Request (aa.com)
· Customers should use the Instant Upgrade EMD number when requesting the refund.
· Voluntary changes or cancels will receive a Trip Credit.
· Involuntary changes or cancels will receive a refund to the original form of payment.
· All the Upgrade flights must be flown before submitting the refund request.
· Rules apply to all fare types, including Basic Economy.
Note: It may take up to 48 hours for the EMD to reflect in the Refunds system. If unable to submit online, advise the customer to try again after 48 hours.
Updated: June 2025