Sorry to bum you you out, but even 23 years ago when I was AA Gold for the first time I'm not sure it ever got me a comp cabin upgrade. Did get me on a few oversold flights, and might just do the same for you.

Fast forward to tomorrow and there are magnitudes more golds, not to mention plats and up in front of you, but far fewer relative upgrade seats to be had. I really do hope it works for you all the time and I love your enthusiasm, but you haven't arrived at Upgradeville yet. Maybe a better location in coach on a good day, or then maybe I'm just bitter since my negotiated-fare company booking bucket seldom counts as a segment for status and I'm back to AA peasant.