AA 891 today 1/18/17 (CLT to DFW) showed J7 and C7 for last 3 days according to ExpertFlyer but my ExPlat Comp Upgrade never cleared within the window. Checked with Admirals Club Agent upon check-in today and he confirmed actually 9 seats in J were available. Upgrade finally cleared 1 hour prior to departure.

QUESTION - If C is the new X why didn't upgrades clear when C showed availability over the previous 3 days?

I don't think that C is the new X, C is the new A in that its for upgrades using a SWU or miles. R is the new X which is different from C or A. At least thats my understanding.

That would explain it. Thanks!

Yes, that would be helpful. AS displays cabin size, booked total and checked in total below their upgrade list. No reason to hang around after boarding begins when it's 12 seats, 12 booked, 11 checked in and you are #7.

This is correct. You cannot use EF to display R class, and that is where sticker (500-mile) upgrades will book. If you see C and you have a SWU listed, you should be able to call about it (or you may find your reservation is in process when you try to display it). If you want to use a SWU and see C, then you should be able to call in and confirm it.

From my own experience, changing the front cabin to the J categories is making SWU harder for domestic trips. i was looking in Feb to use up some that will expire and I can't find much C availability the days that I can travel. I could often find lots of A availability that would work. :(

Flew MCO-ORD on Tuesday and only 2 seat taken on the seat map. At T-2 was talking to the customer service desk agent and indeed confirmed only 2 seats taken. I was #3 out of 10 on the list and we all cleared 15 minutes til boarding. 4 seats left empty. I wasn't really sweating that one but still a bit annoying as being able to chose the meal is really nice. Of course the newest rotation of meals is pretty bad so maybe not getting the upgrade would have been better ;)

Was upgraded at boarding today on 695 phl-phx. I was number 2 on the list and got the last seat in F. I overheard others near me in line saying "I'm exp and I'm 8 on the list" and so on. Why me? Lucky?

DTW-DFW yesterday was J7 and C7 for two days but they didn't clear anyone off upgrade list until T-30.

DFW-SFO did not clear until the gate but it was J2 for the last 1-2 months so fair enough.

MSY-DFW on the other hand was J7 for as long as i can remember and that didn't clear until T-2 hours.

Isn't the tiebreaker after status when you request the upgrade/buy the ticket?
I'd say that you requested your upgrade/bought your ticket before the others.

ORD-DFW on a late Tuesday afternoon - no weather issues at any airport. 15 upgrades were cleared at the gate just before boarding (on a super 80). It's just plain ridiculous..

Waiting on ORD>LAS tomorrow, J7, only 3 seats occupied, booked in September, not yet cleared. This is beyond ridiculous.

MIA-LAX AA1147 949p, cleared T-36 hours. At F5 after my upgrade. Comp ups are still available, just really slow.

Although the window shrinkage is quite annoying I'm still on a 100% score so far into the year (booking within a week or more so). Today JFK-ORD finally for first time I cleared before airport, at T-5.5. Other ORD-LGA-ORD runs were all at gate.

For those that share the anxiety of them having called boarding already before processing upgrades, each time now I go ahead a bit in advance and inform the GA of my position and ask if I should wait it out. For some of the flights it turns out that they already sorted the upgrades, so perhaps it'll be helpful to be just a bit assertive :)

I agree the 100 hour upgrade window is a thing of the past. Last year flying the same route would get upgraded 100 hr. I noticed last August, when they made changes to the advantage awards. I noticed, same route, upgrade went to 24 hours then down to 5 hours and every flight I'm on now, upgrades now are done at the gate. They don't care about loyalty just revenue now. Holding F until the last minute to sell and those that have bought, choice of seat. Time to move on, free agent, loyalty is a two way street. Haven't missed an upgrade yet but sitting at the gate waiting to be called or board and have them pull you up from coach, sux, time to explore other airlines.

Complimentary upgrade Y to J for Monday, 1/23 AA#83 JFK-LAX at T-48. Almost fell over.