I've seen F7 at T-4 a lot in the last year. SFO-DFW, SFO-ORD, etc. It happens.

:( I was getting all excited!

I have a theory that the late clearing of domestic upgrades (X) maybe being driven by the late clearing of international SWU and miles+copay upgrades (C). Typically, if someone applies for an SWU on a leg that includes both international and domestic segments, clearing of both is held off until the international portion is available, even though the domestic segment could often clear immediately or at least earlier.

Previously, you could waitlist for both X (sticker) and A (SWU) on domestic flights, so it was a non-problem, but they removed that ability a while back. Therefore, I have a suspicion that they might hold off on releasing X until anyone waiting in the wings for A has cleared.

Make sense?

IME, I am getting upgrades at T-100 for flights with little F demand and/or low issues on service disruption/pax switching flights.

For example, last week my LIT-ORD cleared at T-100 but my ORD-LGA which was F7 cleared same day. I did a SDFC on ORD-LGA as I arrived early and that cleared at the gate (flight was F7 and I switched 30 minutes before scheduled departure/50 minutes before actual).

The above pattern has been pretty consistent this year.

Has this changed recently? I did this just last January.

For a 3/17 PHX/DFW segment, I got upgraded on 3/13. For 3/5 PHX/DFW segment, I got upgraded on 3/1. So there's definitely still a window. Just doesn't mean you'll get it that early all the time.

Based upon antidotal evidence from FTs the window has been getting closer and closer over the past few years. As an EXP last year out of MIA many of upgrades, if all, were at the gate. So far as a PLT I'm actually 100% for sticker and copay with the former clearing from T72 to T4.

About two and a half years ago by the looks of it. This thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ests-cant.html discusses and post #13 there appears to give a definitive answer from someone who typically post correct and relevant information.

I've had about 80% of my upgrades within the last month happening at T-4hrs. The other 20% clear at the EXP window...

Flying ORD - BOS midday tomorrow, upgrade still "requested."

The return on Friday mid-afternoon cleared at T-100.



Flying a same day turn ORD - LGA on Sunday. Leaving early Sunday, upgrade still "requested."

Return from LGA cleared at T-100.



Interesting to note, the two flights that haven't cleared show F7 A6 (ORD-BOS) and F7 A7 (ORD-LGA) and they're both meal flights! :p (I know it doesn't matter as the catering sucks and I barely touch it now but I find it funny)

In general I am seeing this as well. Flights which have a higher potential F demand seem to be clearing later even if they have very low load factor.

Another data point as a PLT:

MIA-BWI on Monday afternoon, 3/16 sticker UG cleared at T-12.

BWI-MIA on Saturday afternoon 3/21 just cleared at T-55.

The legs are part of MDE-MIA-BWI-MIA-MDE.

I get that it is inconvenient both in terms of meals and planning for upgraders, but as someone who has had frequent cancellations due to weather or otherwise (and I pay for F), the holding back of upgrades has been a blessing.

This issue was one of my main concerns in the US/AA merger as US is/was well known for not holding back F seats for irrops or last minute bookings.

As a recent example, I was flying BOS-JFK-SFO last week. My BOS-JFK flight cancelled, so I had to reroute. In the past, I would have looked at the cabins and not had any potential solutions to get me to my destination other than in a middle seat. Instead, I had quite a few options in F that also allowed me to arrive on time. The fact that I had to trade riding in a premium cabin on a 321T versus standard domestic F is likely a high-class problem.

Update to my situation posted a little bit upthread.

Got the e-mails while I was sleeping...

ORD - BOS cleared about T-4.5 this morning.
ORD - LGA Sunday morning cleared about T-76.

Upgrade premium windows gone?
 

Is this the new American?

It is my experience that upgrades are not clearing at the traditional windows even when flights are not full. Particular flights show availability in all classes, first class cabin 60-80% unassigned, but upgrades do not clear in advance. Eventually, the upgrades may clear but it is the last hours or at the gate.

Even United seems to be doing a better job with the upgrade clearance at the traditional window for premium passengers.