If you get to EXP on American by flying 100,000 miles, you will get unlimited domestic upgrades and 8 EVIP's which can upgrade any flight your on. EVIP's are perfect for upgrading international flights. You can upgrade any fare on AA except for one, O fare to Latin America. But that won't matter since Q is usually only $20 more then O. By being in RDU, you have the opportunity to rack up some serious miles but it will involve a little work.

ex. Take the 6am American Eagle flight to JFK. then do this. JFK-SFO-LAX-STL-RDU. You will do that all in one day and that's almost 6,000 miles if IIRC.

Being EXP grants you first class checkin, first class lounge access when flying internationally among many benefits. Being a EXP, if you reserve early enough, you will get the upgrade nearly all the time. Most EXP's report missing out on only 1-4 upgrades in a year where they fly easily almost every weekend. there is even a way to make the fight for Executive Platinum even easier. Take the Platinum challenge which is the level below EXP. Get 10,000 Points in 3 months. if you fly super cheap fares, that means 20,000 miles. There is a $200 fee so it's up to you if you find it worth it.

Hope the information helps.