Actually, I was able to upgrade on two different companion tickets last year. For one of them, I was told AA could not do it so I hung up and called again this time with success. It was obvious that this merger would result in less perks and higher costs. The mergers of the legacy airlines has taken away a lot of competition for customers. The old Barclays credit cards were terrific. I do not begrudge the airlines for finally making money but I miss my perks.