SWU's / VIPOWs are both paper and electronic, to confuse the issue a little. AA has gone to electronic System Wide Upgrade upgrades (SWUs or "eVIPs", as some of us may refer to them. The older VIPOWS expire on a date written on them, the new electronic ones expire one year from issue if they were issued for qualifying in 2003 - but... since they haven't made the "bank" which show eVIPs earned for qualifying EXP in 2004 in your account online work yet, they have extended the validity to one year from when the "bank" begins to function, which certainly hasn't happened yet. (Other posters and posts have clarified which eVIPs/ SWUs die 3/05 and which expire 1 year form when the "upgrade bank" finally, er, gets off the ground.)

Otherwise, they work pretty much the same - though obviously paper VIPS can be turned in at the airport ticket counter, and eVIPs are deducted and not turned in.

The best way to assure an international SystemWide Upgrade (up to three segments one way,) is to have some dates and flexibility in terms of specific dates and routings in mind, call and ask... then you can book the flights with upgrades booked as well. E.g. SFO - LHR might work better as SFO - ORD - LHR than SFO - LAX - LHR, as the latter flight is quite popular. If one wishes to earn the 100 miles for booking on line, HOLD some flights, don't book, then call.

If I am wrong on any of this, I will be spanked by other members here.