Originally Posted by
rpjepson
Ok, in short order -
Bought an upgrade to J upon checking in online. Paid by cc.
Flight then missed, due to weather delay on a connection (all AA, all one PNR.)
...
I asked what happened to the purchased upgrade. Agent claimed I had to buy another one, or that would be 'stealing' and the airline 'out of pocket.'
The answer to this is easy-- the agent was wrong and you are owed a refund for the upgrade.
Originally Posted by https://www.aa.com/i18n/fragments/merchandising/upgrades/LFBUTerms.jsp
Customers who are unable to use their purchased day of departure upgrades due to an involuntary seat change, equipment change, routing change, flight cancellation, or missed connection due to a late incoming flight are eligible for a refund.
Much more here:
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)