Originally Posted by ESpen36

Precisely. AA wants to try to sell those seats. They will wait until the last minute, or until the algorithms predict that the seats are very unlikely to be sold. AA's computers have lots of historical data to use in making these predictions.



Correct.



When you become EXP, upgrades will be confirmable starting at the 100-hour mark, but again, only when and if Revenue Management decides to release the inventory.



Use a contrarian strategy....book the least desirable flights for premium/business travelers. Book those painful domestic midcon redeyes, or book 5am departures, Tuesday/Wednesday flights, Saturday flights, etc. Avoid the peak, desirable times for road warriors who fly out on Sunday/Monday and back home on Friday. Avoid traditional holiday/break times like the week after Christmas, Spring Break, Presidents Day, etc.