If by international you really mean intercontinental, unless you have some firm buying you YBM fares you have simply chosen the wrong airline. No book changes this.

If you can fly 100K miles/EQP on AA, the SWUs allow upgrades from any fare, but only on AA metal. If you don't make EXP status you're looking at very hefty co-pays to upgrade long-haul flights with miles (but perhaps less than Delta YBM).