Originally Posted by
ashill
Not for Golds, which is why the idea of a form letter for Golds makes some sense. Golds get a discount in advance or can get it for free within 24 hours, IIRC. A Gold who hasn't paid wouldn't have a clear claim on a MCE seat.
Very, very incorrect. If this was greater than 24 hours when purchased, that means the person did pay the price for MCE, with a discount. As a gold, you do not have an option to pay "full price" for MCE, thus, he has a clear claim to the MCE seat because paying the discounted price for MCE is all he can do.
If this was done within 24 hours, the same thing applies. A gold ONLY has the option of getting it for free. They cannot pay for the MCE seat even if they want to.
This is why saying an MCE seat is treated the same way as an upgrade is complete BS. It is either an agent that doesn't know what they are talking about or a VERY bad turn for AA to start implementing this.