FYI, I took the advice of one of the earlier posters and called AA CS back before the coach ticket to JFK-NRT-BKK was ticketed, got the upgrade. About 30-45 mins after paying for the coach ticket online, AA.com was showing it as "ticketed" but I didn't get the email e-ticket until a few hours later. Now, 18 hours later, AA.com is showing the upgraded ticket with seat assignments as "ticketed" but still no email e-ticket and receipt.

This is very different from the times I book and buy domestic travel, which is almost instantaneous.