My wife and I are traveling coach on vacation to LHR in July from DFW via ORD. Anyway, on our outbound flight, we have good seat assignments -- actually sitting in the business class section from DFW to ORD on the 3-class 777. From ORD to LHR, we have exit row seats on the 777 -- not too bad. However, after I booked my reservation, AA changed the configuration on the return flight. Row 27 is no longer exit row, and we are stuck with plain seats. Knowing how long that flight segment is, I requested a one-way upgrade for each of us to Business from Coach cashing in 50,000 miles (this was about 2-3 weeks ago).

I called into the AA service desk today to double-check how this procedure works. The agent explained to me that I am on stand-by upgrade and won't know until the day of departure (fine, I am okay with that much). Also, if upgraded, I would have to pay $95 for my wife and I to use the reward -- here is where I have a problem. The lady said the only way to waive the $95 is if I use two paper award certificates at the gate. Fine I said. However, AA "needs" 21 days to process the reward. I explained that I had put my upgrade request in 2-3 weeks ago, but apparently that doesn't qualify even though we don't leave for another 10 days.

I am really upset that the agent I spoke with 2-3 weeks ago didn't explain this to me and didn't give me the option!! If I knew that I would have to pay an additional $95 to upgrade on day of departure I would have opted for the paper certificates within the 21 day window. I realize that I might not get to use them on this trip, but I'll have another 5-6 transatlantic trips in the next 12 months for sure.

Can anyone out there offer any advice as to what to do? Did I give up to easy? Please help with any options I may or may not have.

Thanks.