Originally Posted by ijgordon

[snipped]

So you'll be able to maximize your elite benefits through the AA program -- primarily through upgrades on the Central America flights. Elite benefits in general are more limited on international flights. Of course if you make top tier, Executive Platinum, then you'll get 8 systemwide upgrades. Best use is for Y->J upgrades on long-hauls, since you avoid the $250 o/w copay that a mileage upgrade requires, but using them for J->F upgrades isn't that bad either.