Originally Posted by
vh_bu98
For some people, it's about lounge access. Clearing at the last minute doesn't really give you time to hang out at the business/first class lounge.
A domestic upgrade isn't going to give you lounge access (except maybe if you get an upgrade to J JFK-LAX/SFO or MIA-LAX and vice versa, but I am not sure if upgraders are eligible). The complaint seems to be meal selection (ho hum), seat (ho hum), or that AA isn't living up to their end of the bargain of the window (which they actually are, but that's been beaten to death).