You can use any form of VIPx certificate to upgrade. I phoned the AA EXP desk to confirm that it can be used on the Global Explorer fare basis, and they looked it up and confirmed that it can be used. The agents at the EXP desk are wonderful -- a great benefit of AA. Too bad that sometimes other agents give mis-information (but I can't blame them too much, it is very complicated and they lack the experience to know where to find the right info). Edited to add that waitlisting is also allowed (to answer your last question).

[This message has been edited by number_6 (edited Nov 22, 2003).]