coolwind

Last weekend, I was on the following itinerary.
OAK-SEA-LAX-ORD-MSP
AS operate | AA operate

Since I booked from aa.com, the first 2 segments cannot be checked in online until I called AA for the AS confirmation # and checked in on AS website. However, the upgrade request seemed never complete. I am EXP, but I didn't get notice even after I arrived in LAX at 9pm. The next flight was 11:40pm. I didn't have AA BP yet and had them printed out on the kiosk. During the printing process, I saw the UG is requested. (But it was not true!） I didn't check with GA until 10mins before the boarding. My name wasn't on the UG list. I knew something was wrong and asked GA to check. It turned out my name was never on that list. After GA put my name on the list, I was on the top. But soon the boarding started, I assumed it's late to be upgraded since it's hub-hub flight and my request got delayed. So I decided to board first. Fortunately, towards the end of boarding, FA gave me the seat in the front. I guess I was really lucky.

Question is how can I do it better next time?
1. Is there way to automatically put then name in the UG request at gate? I guess the only way is to talk to the GA.
2. Should I board first even I am on the top of UG list? I guess no.

Thanks for reading~

gemac

1. There are two upgrade lists - the one controlled by AA HQ, and the airport upgrade list. If you don't get upgraded on the first list, you have to ask to be put on the airport list. If you do OLCI with AA, there is a box to check to add yourself to the airport list. Since you didn't do that, you have to have an AAgent add you when you get to the airport with the AA flight (in this case, LAX). Any AAgent can do this, at a service desk or at a gate (if they aren't busy). Do this immediately (in this case, at 9 PM).

2. An AAgent will often tell you that First Class has checked in full. I do not board until they tell me that First Class has boarded full. Instead, I stand by the podium. They should print a new boarding pass for whoever is at the top of the list, look and see where their coach seat was, walk onto the aircraft, give you the boarding pass, then walk back out and (often) print a boarding pass for the standby who needs that coach seat, but they are often rushed to get the flight out on time, and if someone on the upgrade list is standing right there, it's a lot easier and quicker to give them the upgrade. Human nature.

coolwind

Thanks for the clarification. I was cheated by the kiosk as I saw the UG request when I printed the BP.



I figured in this way after the flight. Now I am more confident about this if it happens next time.