Great point but if you are comparing apples to apples, then either there are more customers claiming awards, less awards to claim or just bad luck.

The fact that AA is making it easier than ever to get status in 04 would make me think that they would either expand award availability to accomodate more people redeeming (not likely given the current operating enviroment) or awards were already scaled back but with more poeple flying it feels like less seats or with all the fare sales there are simply less award seats.

All I know is it certainly is harder for me, than it has been in 3 years to get upgrades and awards.