I'm still holding out for an op upgrade in two weeks on my second status run (ORDHKGSYD, return)--no luck on first one to MEL in May. They're gonna make me get that business seat the old fashioned way probably--award tix (no--not buy!). WRE fares on CX all 1.5 points or 110% miles earned even booked thru CX (nonAA). I tried speaking Thai to the check in gal here in ORD on my way to HKG last go--no sweetening up there either I need to work on my upgrade game but I absolutely appreciate how protective of their premium services they are. That opupgrade seems to be the most common, albeit rare, way AA frequent flyers get premium seats on AA without paying for them. If you have high status....well, that's something...