Or, use tools like the advanced version of KVS or ExpertFlyer, find the required class and nail the upgrade when you book.
As to AA54 July 6, currently C availability = 0. AA 54 for that day shows J7 D6 R7 I0 Y7 B7 H7 W7 K7 M7 L7 S7 G7 V7 N7 Q7 O7; no "I" highly discounted Business / "instant upgrade", but "D" (discounted Business) shows 6 available seats and fully priced "J" Business shows 7 (or more, can also be the 6 in D) seats in inventory. The fact they have a number (the max will only show as "7", even if there are more) of seats in even discounted N and Q shows the flight is far from fully sold.
Bottom line: you might have chance; subscription to a service would allow you to see when / if C becomes available, how the flight is selling, and with at least one service, you can have an e-mail sent to you alerting you to C availability. You can always get on the waitlist ahead of other Golds, and as
bdemaria says, if you don't you are pretty much
guaranteed not to get the upgrade.
Originally Posted by
dannyrado
I'm flying transatlantic on AA soon, booked in a discount econ, i too used to be gold, and have plenty of miles.
I thought that there was little point of trying for an upgrade, because they are heavily weighted towards those with status? Is this not the case?
I'd really like the upgrade on AA54 ORD-MAN, 6th Jul, think there's any cahnce?