As previously mentioned, there's a forum of AA folks farther down the list off of the main menu, but I'll answer here. But we should take any further discussion to the AA area.

Sounds like you're talking about using mileage to upgrade as opposed to the credits that you get if you're an Gold/Platinum/Executive Platinum level (25,000 miles per year, if you don't understand what I'm saying, you're not one).

For mileage awards (5,000 for a full Y fare one-way, 15,000 for any fare one-way), AA will charge you $75 (yes it's a ripoff) to "expedite" an award within 21 days. So, you can order the awards now if you're confident you're going to use them within a year, because they'll expire a year after you order them. They'll show up in about two weeks.

Then you just have them at home, and when you want to upgrade you call AA and give them the certficate number, and bring the certificate to the airport.

hope this helps!
nick