Originally Posted by tom911
As an EXP flyer, though, you really don't need those, as upgrades are comped if space is available. I've cleared 74 of my last 78 free domestic requests, and another 3 have already cleared for this coming Thursday 100 hours out.
But that's roughly equivalent to UA's 500-mile upgrade policy. With some notable exceptions (mainly airbus transcons), most 1K upgrades clear within the 100-hour window. And are there many 1k's who ever run out of 500-milers? I would venture to guess that for most 1k's the combination of cr1's and 500-milers basically allow for unlimited domestic upgrades anyway.
The point here is that AA does not have an instrument to confirm domestic upgrades at time of booking (unless you choose to use one of your VIP's for that purpose)- you still have to wait for your window.