Originally Posted by
WannaTheater
Yesterday wife saw through mobile app that she could pay to upgrade. But my guess is that her LP earnings are still based on original fare class purchased. Correct?
Yes, but other than basic economy, fare class doesn't affect earnings if the flight is AA marketed, so it shouldn't matter. There is no cabin bonus for first class when the flight is earning by fare. It's all 11x fare for EXP if not BE and 4.4x if BE. The upgrade cost does not count as part of the fare (so it doesn't earn anything)
If it was a special fare, earning by distance, then, yes, it should earn by original fare class even when upgraded.
And IME they do not offer paid upgrades on BE fares (though I'm not sure that this is actually a rule; just my experiences)