Originally Posted by
ESpen36
Exactly correct. The $20 phone ticketing fee would not apply in this scenario because the OP is upgrading a reservation for which a ticket has already been issued. As a result, it is a REISSUE, and the fee does not apply for reissues.
Now, if the request is made within 21 days of travel, the award fee will apply. But the award fee is not the same as the phone ticketing fee.
ESpen36, you are correct. I just called to do the upgrade and only the co-pay fee was charged. (But I think the wording on AA.com is a bit ambiguous.)