Sorry if I used the wrong terms. As I thought about it move overnight, between 1997 and 2007 as I hit each of my new million mile levels, I would get something that resembled a "systemwide upgrade" (I thought that's what they called them). We have family in the UK and I recall each year I would call AA and book the cheapest coach ticket and they would immediately confirm we were upgraded to BC, sometimes months in advance.

I haven't hit any new million-mile levels lately, and it was only last year I reached enough annual miles to get a "systemwide upgrade," but these feel very different than what I had in the past. Granted 15 years has passed, which is why I titled my post with "old guy."

FWIW, if a family member and I want to go to Tokyo, the cheapest AA coach fares I can find are around $2,300, which for 2 passengers is nearly $5K (that's what I was referencing in my OP).

I'm still not clear if these new systemwide upgrades can be confirmed any earlier than a few days before the trip. If not, they're almost worthless to me because we wouldn't know if our return trip is upgraded until we're at our destination.

Thanks for all of your help!