Originally Posted by Tries

Past weekend I as EXP flew on MR SJU-MIA-SFO and I've decided to fly both segments on earlier flights.
So AA placed me on stand-by list.
1. The very first SJU-MIA flight at 6:45am was full and there were 32 passengers on stand-by. I have no idea how AA come to the result for the very first flight of the day, but they've said they were oversold by at least 6 seats so they've looked for volunteers and offered $500 vouchers. Some people agreed on this... And at the end one person and myself did get to the plane and I've not seen anybody GA appreciated to and said that his help was not needed today.
2. The MIA-SFO flight was oversold as well but there were only 7 on the stand-by list. Same story- $500 DVB, but GA did appreciate two passengers for their help, that she did not need today, then GA closed the door, then went on the plane, then got two passengers (a couple) back and then placed one person and myself on the board instead.

Does it have anything to do with my EXP status (in addition to the fact that I was #1 on the stand-by list both times)? What was the reason to grant $500 vouchers to passengers and then to place me on the plane?