Good question - one can not upgrade other than AA metal with AA VIPs, miles etc. This is the reason a numbe rof people use AA to KIX, NRT (rather than a partner to HKG) or PVG and connect onward there.
Originally Posted by themicah
Can you upgrade CX or JL flights? I'm not super-familiar with the details of AAdvantage, but was under the impression that upgrades were only really available on AA metal, and you mentioned in your OP that you were wanting to buy coach and upgrade.