First post here. I am a two year EXP and I regularly fly BOS-LHR. I have had an OP UP once from paid J-F (it felt good). In the past 5 weeks I have made 3 trips BOS-LHR booked in Y, flown in J all segments on eVIP's or mileage. On 3 segments my eVIP's were not pulled. I knew I had run out so I used mileage on one segment, and then on the next trip I decided to just suck it up and do Y but I was still upgraded online. Hmmm. I called the EXP desk to inquire whether I had any left and was told "Yes, you have 2 left in the bank, and all existing reservations have the cert code attached to them". Not going to complain.

What does get me is that on one recent BOS-LHR flights someone from Y complained they "were too tall for the seat" so they were moved into the empty J seat next to me. One another flight two women from the back "knew the neighbor of one of the FA's" (not kidding) and they were both moved to J across the aisle from me. The FA came over and whispered to them "don't say anything, I could lose my job for this". That is true, I believe. Based on FAA rules I don't think the FA cannot just decide to change the cabin for someone.

I have been upgraded a few times on BA 4 class from economy to premiumn economy and even from economy to business just for asking and telling them I am AA EXP / One World Emerald. Once LHR-BOS and three times LHR-DBX and LHR-KWI. They always put me on the list. It is kind of like how you can use the BA club at Heathrow even when you are flying Y (does not have to even be int'l) just becuase you are Emerald. Can you imagine Admirals Club letting you in on a domestic coach flight just because you are EXP but have no membership? I think not.