Originally Posted by
JMN57
AA EXP(=OW Emerald) are entitled to complimentary 500 miles/sticker upgrades at no charge if space is available. Platinum & Gold (Sapphire & Ruby) are next in line but pay $30 per 500 mile sticker for upgrades (earning 4 free for every 10,000 miles flown). According to policy, only after all upgrade requests have been accommodated, will AA sell upgrades.
Much speculation on the last point that AA sells them before upgrading elites. Your story hints that maybe they prioritize the offer to OW partner elites but that is also speculation on my part.
I think you are correct. I paid for an upgrade las to lax and lax to las and both times there were at least 5 people showing on the screens at the gate. I am assuming these are the aa elites awaiting upgrades. Could have also been non-revs. I didn't look too close, as being on BA flights all the time you don't even dream of any kind of upgrade. This is one area AA is leaps ahead of BA.
The reason I upgrade short flights is due to BAEC tier point system.