As EXP with 4 shinny SWU, I had called the AA Advantage desk last month to request a SWU applied on a trip JFK-LHR-JFK from Y to J (as usual, they asked for Credit Card details for the 'luxury taxes' out of LHR).
I kept checking for "C" inventory on ExpertFlyer and saved alerts. Nada until getting to the airport.

Then I noticed the upgrade list on the AA mobile app. My name was not even on the upgrade list!

I called the AA Advantage desk and asked if they had my request for SWU. They did not have any record of such request.
Eventually, only 1 customer cleared the upgrade JFK-LHR so my chances were probably small.
However, it is a bit frustrating that my SWU request was not even processed.


Has anyone had such issue?
What is the trick to insure the SWU is requested for international segments?
Check the AA web-site for the "Upgrade Your Trip" section as per screenshot above?

[Note that I requested -again- the upgrade for the return after finding out the problem]