Originally Posted by fly747first

In all fairness, AAdvantage has been a profitable program since most elites have to pay for stickers to upgrades while DL and UA have complimentary upgrades (though they are more rare of course, but still, elites don't pay for "stickers"). Perhaps that's why they are not in a rush to change it... they recently implemented that on flights under 500 miles non-EXP/CK will get complimentary upgrades; they know that the vast majority of elites on most flights will still be paying for upgrades so that's how AA compensates for not having a revenue-based program because again, most elites are already spending a lot more for upgrades, e.g., a flight of 2,100 miles at $175 one-way will require an additional $150 (5 stickers x $30 each) spend for Gold and Platinum Elites.