Disappointed using AA miles for First Class on US
Bohemiana,
To your point about lounge access...there is no free lounge access on any US carrier when flying first class domestically. In fact, I don't think you get it when flying first (aka business) on European airlines when hopping between European cities either. The clubs are paid memberships and also available to passengers flying international business or first on any affiliated airline (in this case, any Oneworld partner).
It sounds like your experience on a prior international flight in business class set your expectations a tad too high when it comes to flights within the USA. There are a few exceptions, as mentioned here like Jfk to Lax/sfo and mia-lax when it's flown with a 777.
Also, for future reference, when redeeming awards for travel within USA, business class will never be an option except those few exception flights that offer a plane with 3 distinct classes of service. This is why you wound up with first when no coach was available.