OP- do you have any status with AA?
If you are not EXP, you are likely speaking with front line agents. A supervisor here will be an EXP agent (or equivalent).
EVEN WITH EXP agents, you will get pushback- there trained to resist and deflect it seems. YOU need to know what you want them to do and POLITELY insist.
I was speaking to the CK desk (over EXP) about an involuntary change on QF. Even after getting them to speak to the AA 'qantas liaison' they were still making up stories ('business is ful'; 'no award space'; blah blah)...I had to tell them "I want you to formaly ask Qantas to open an award seat to accomodate me due to their schedule change". (It wasas if the liaison didnt want to even ASK.) The agent typed out my request; expressed skepticism....but 24hrs later it was granted and ticketed.
Point is that it seems you need to be your own advocate to a much greater degree than before, especially with partner awards.