Thanks for all the detailed information - what a great start to my research. I'm still confused but at least I have somewhere to start

AA does provide service from Kansas City (my home airport) to the AA hubs, and I agree that AA is our best option.

We would be fine traveling on different flights, but prefer traveling together. (After my husband flew back from HI solo in June in coach, he said never again! He had a an aisle seat next to a cranky old man in the center who fought him over the armrest and yelled at him. LOL.)

Please pardon my naivete, but why do I need a third party service to check on upgrades for me? Is this something mere mortals don't have access to, or is it a knowledge base issue?

thanks again!

Anita