Originally Posted by
cova
Looks like AA has started selling upgrades ahead of upgrade list at airport check in.
Case - AA Gold friend on a CR7 out of Florida (was 3 out of 4 on the upgrade list with 4 seats open). Was number 3.
Printed boarding pass at the kiosk and was offered to upgrade for a price. Declined.
Upgrade list was showing up to about 1 hour before flight time, then it was masked. So checked at the gate and agent said yes. on the list.
Did not clear. Obviously Gold's pay for an upgrades so not sure why AA would offer them for sell.
Looks like AA is going the TOD route (like UA) to sell upgrades when Elites (who in AA's case) pay for them.
If they really did sell DOD upgrades out from under Elites, IIRC that is against stated policy and is very problematic.
My understanding is that DODs are only sold when there is sufficient space to clear all Elites who have requested upgrades.
Someone please correct me if am misinformed on this.