Originally Posted by
Herb687
AA should not be clearing many upgrades prior to D-30 minutes at the gate. AA needs to hold back as much inventory as possible for last minute paid F bookings and/or for IRROPS reaccommodation of paid F passengers.
One can dream.
Originally Posted by
btonkid12345
This is not human intervention. This is a machine algorithm that uses past data and once certain thresholds are met - processes the upgrade.
Could they change the thresholds? Sure. But that would just make upgrades more difficult across the board for the exceptional cases, like what you mention.
Correct... certainly all automated. In the OP's case, it seems both flights mentioned were likely J2R1 when the upgrades cleared, with 'R' being upgrade inventory (separate from 'R' revenue), and upgrades when it's J2 are common within 24 hrs of the flight (usually goes to the gate J0 or J1, but not J2).