Originally Posted by
Often1
AA would do well to hold UG's to closer to departure. As others note, especially on business-heavy routes, there is a market for walk up FC, if not F. AA can still upgrade on elite status, but it can be really frustrating not to find availability in the FC cabin several days out. Particularly for people who are connecting to international F/J.
Of course, AA's decision to shrink the domestic FC cabins increases the chances of the cabins just straight selling out before the last few days, even in the absence of upgrades. Combined with reduced upgrade chances, cheaper FC tickets, the new ease of upfaring allowing coach reimbursement people access to first, etc. etc., one can certainly imagine that the small FC cabins are selling out more than ever before, even well before day of flight.
saunders111