How Can I Upgrade to First Class Using My Miles?

Dear Tim

Dear Colleen

,

Most coach fares can be upgraded with miles, provided the airline has set aside seats in first class for mileage upgrades. Even though your flight departed with empty first-class seats, it's likely that the limited allotment of upgrade seats had already been spoken for by other passengers.

In

American's program

, upgrades for Hawaii flights are priced at two levels, depending on the type of coach fare purchased. If you buy a so-called "full" economy ticket—generally only used by business flyers who purchase tickets at the last minute and require the flexibility to change flights mid-trip—an upgrade will cost 7,500 miles in each direction, or 15,000 miles for the round-trip. If you're traveling on a discount economy ticket—as are most non-business flyers—the upgrades cost 15,000 miles each way, plus a $150 cash payment.

Unfortunately, in American's system you can't tell whether upgrades are available when making reservations online. For your next trip, my advice would be to call American's reservations center and work with a customer service rep. The agent will be able to tell you which fares are upgradeable, and which flights have first-class seats available for mileage upgrades.

You'll be charged $15 for the privilege of booking by phone, but that's a small price to pay if it results in successfully upgrading on the long flight to Hawaii.

Good luck.