Originally Posted by
scholity
Upgrades are one of the primary reasons we all have status. Upgrades are in fact 'free' (complementary) and EXPs are entitled to them, if available. Whether or not a gate agent *prioritizes* processing of upgrades (complementary or not) at the gate is the main point of discussion here. I think any seasoned traveler would appreciate that upgrades often are not (and should not) be a priority for a gate agent when a flight is running behind.
Agreed on all points.
As to an earlier comment about Elites feeling entitled; why yes, if an upgrade seat is available, they should be entitled to it considering what it takes to earn the status. Just as we are entitled to take our business elsewhere.
I boarded Priority, right after First Class, so there were many open seats in first class when I boarded. I could not have asked if First Class had boarded full at that point.
Not sure how I could have made it any more clear, and the fact that after all of my questioning there was still an empty seat in First Class was disturbing. To be clear, the flight attendant didn't "point out" there was an empty seat in First Class; I saw it and asked the flight attendant about it. She was very apologetic when I explained the situation and repeated the same comments as I was leaving the plane.
As an added comment, the person I dealt with at the AA Priority desk at DFW was amazingly clueless. Not sure how she ended up at that desk.