Originally Posted by
uscjeff
Data point - now down to J1 on my flight 1/1 PVG-LAX. 30k EQD EXP. Basically have resigned myself to be ready to have a late one tonight not expecting to get it so can sleep regardless on way home. Have bulkhead PE at least so soften the blow
I had something similar happen a month ago when I flew PVG-LAX. About a week before the flight, the seatmaps and EF numbers all went to near zero. I had pretty much given up any hope of an upgrade, and was getting used to the idea that I'd be sitting in my PE seat.
Then about 2-3 days prior, the seatmap opened up again, at least in business. I had a little hope. I woke up at 3am on the day I was leaving and logged in to AA, saw I was upgraded. I was able to select a different seat (I was originally given the last row window H, I selected a seat a few rows forward window A). It was good that I did check, as they had pulled the seat assignment for my LAX-AUS flight, and thankfully I was able to grab another similar (from exit F to exit A)...and I did not get upgraded on that flight.
I was staying in Suzhou and had no idea how long it would take to get to PVG, so I left rather early and arrived around 2pm. It gave me plenty of time to check-in, go through immigration, security, and enjoy the Air China lounge. The AA check-in agent told me the pass was good for the business lounge, but when I went to the desk they escorted me to the F side.
The flight ended up completely full. I tried to figure out who was sitting in my PE seat, but couldn't really...it was a male, around 30, and I'm guessing not an employee, but I could be wrong. I was so thankful that I was upgraded, as since I was up so early I nearly passed out as soon as I sat down. They had to wake me for the meal, then after I ate I fell back asleep for much of the remainder of the flight.