Originally Posted by
JanBre
Just a late addition to the question of AA upgrades with Avios:
You cannot upgrade connecting AA flights within the US, even if they are booked into the right fare class and a seat is available.
As an example: I booked LAX-JFK-LHR-JFK-LAX. Both LAX-JFK and JFK-LAX are on AA metal (BA codeshare) and booked into 'B'. There was a J seat available for JFK-LAX (shown on the BA website), but it was not possible to do this upgrade -- regardless to what the T&C say (they clearly state it's possible).
As an experienced BAEC employee told me on the phone, upgrades on AA are only possible on transatlantic flights. Strange enough, I can find no mention of that in the T&C.
That's not true. It is most certainly possible to upgrade domestic U.S. flights. I suspect you were given this [untrue] information by the U.S. office? I was advised the same when I called the U.S. office to ask to be upgraded. Even when I told the guy to look at my booking where all other segments on AA were already upgraded, the guy was not convinced.
A call to my local office (which was closed at the time) fixed everything. Your specific flight (LAX-JFK) should be upgraded into 'C' bucket. BA.com does not show availability for that class, it only shows 'U' (straight redemption) availability. AA uses different buckets for upgrades/redemptions.
Call again and try to get someone who knows what they're talking about.