Thanks to everyone for the abundance of responses.

My understanding is because this is a voluntary award ticket downgrade (no SAAver seats on the domestic segment), there is no waitlist for the "upgrade." I've got no status to pull with any phone AAgents to try to ping/appeal RM to open another seat.

We're one week out and First is about half full, so based on the patterns of releasing SAAver seats I've seen on the route for the past couple weeks, only releasing one seat if F is completely empty, there is no chance of them releasing a seat for my flight.

Based on what I've read, it seems my best bet is to try to see if there is an agent (check-in, AC, or gate) who is willing to "upgrade" or put me on the PALL list. (I do have access to the AC via Amex Plat.)

It's only a 1.5 hour flight, so I'm not really that concerned, but it would be nice since they are serving dinner in F on my flight.