VIP/mileage inventory is usually cleared before before sticker upgrades because it is larger revenue generator for AA. When I flew my NRT round trip from DCA/DFW last week, the upgrades cleared (both domestic and international at the same time) about 2-4 days before the flight, and when I looked at EF that day, it went from F0 Z0 A0 J0 U0 C0 Y0 to F4 Z4 A4 J5 U5 C5.

VIPs also clear at the airport before sticker upgrades, in my experience.