Originally Posted by ContinentalFan
You share my sentiment exactly. I am angling for EXP this year, which I think is really what you need. At this level, I can pretty much fly business all the time, domestically; I can also upgrade to FC with a business fare!
Sorry, but I think you're really confused about the AA system. AA only has three routes domestically which are three class service. JFK-LAX, JFK-SFO (about 50% of the time three-class) and LAX-MIA (1 or 2 flights a day three-class). On these routes, ANYONE can upgrade from a Business fare to First, you don't need to be EXP. In fact, your EXP free upgrades will NOT work to upgade you from J->F on these routes, and 500-miler stickers won't do so either for Plats and Golds. You, or anyone else, needs to use miles. Other than these few routes and flights, there is no domestic Business Class on AA.