I'm not sure if this is the 100% right place to put this, but I wanted to share that as a lowly AA Gold I was able to request (and get) revenue management to open up an extra first class award seat on a flight. I was initially forced to book a night at DFW for my ongoing connection, as the morning flights were not available via reward. Then one became available and I needed two. I made the request then, denied (a couple weeks in advance, and I understood -- flight was very full in coach). Right before the flight, another seat became available and I made the request again. A few hours later, my reservation was changed and my request was granted. If I didn't read FT and know that I could request it from Revenue Management I would have never even known about this option.. which saved me a hotel night and a lot of wasted time.

Thanks FT and fellow FTers!