I just booked a reservation on AA and was able to choose elite seats for my entire party at booking. Unlike AS and DL, AA will not grant companions flying on separate reservations access to preferred seats. AA also does not allow AS elites to purchase just the extras that don't already come with status.
Another issue I saw is that the AS website no longer lists AA's O class (think T class on AS and DL or G class on UA) as a miles-earning fare class on AA, despite mentioning it in the notes.
Originally Posted by alaskaair.com
Earning on American Airlines
Economy Class Cabin: Earn actual flight miles* flown in B, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, V, W, X or Y classes of service.
Business Class Cabin: Earn actual flight miles* flown in I, J, or D classes of service, plus 25% Bonus Miles.
First Class Cabin: Earn actual flight miles* flown in F, P, or A classes of service, plus 50% Bonus Miles.
Elite Qualifying Flight Miles: Yes
*Earn 500 minimum miles on flights less than 500 miles. Actual miles flown = 1 mile per flight mile flown. Miles may not be earned for tickets flown in E, T, U or Z classes of service. Flights taken in O class between North America and Central or South America aren't eligible for mileage accrual. Some deeply discounted, and industry fares are ineligible to earn miles.
To qualify for mileage accrual, please note that your flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below and your flight must be marketed and operated by American Airlines.
American
Eligible Flight Numbers
0001 - 5599
6750 - 7199
7454 - 7603
To ensure flight credit, the two letter airline code (AA) must precede the flight number (for example, AA XXXX) on your ticket receipt or boarding pass.