Also, Expert Flyer just refreshed and shows an additional 2 biz seats opened up, so that's 4 open and the 1 block with roughly 43 hours before take off.

LOL, where have you heard this, because it is most assuredly not true at all. On long-haul flights AA does not just upgrade EXP or CK's into empty business seats or anything like that. If there happen to be empty seats up front, and no one on the upgrade list, then those seats will go out empty (or be given to non-rev AA employees).

As mentioned above, if you want the upgrade, then you definitely need to waitlist a miles/co-pay or SWU as you've done.

Miles/Co-pay upgrades are no different than SWU's, they come from the same inventory, and space can open up at any point between now and the time of the flight. For a TATL flight 2 days from now with only 3-4 open seats in business, they might release 1-2 seats for upgrades around 24 hrs. before with the remaining 1-2 seats released the afternoon of the flight (right up to the gate).

Also, forget about what the seatmap shows, PHL-MUC is J2 on 3/7, meaning there are only 2 business seats left for sale.

I had the same experience last week. PP on a very elite-light flight (Friday night redeye out of Vegas). Wasn't upgraded until T-27. At the airport there was even one person on the upgrade list showing as "cleared" - meaning they still hadn't filled all the F seats by the time they opened at the gate.

EXP w/ ~$24k rolling EQD, 2 pax

Booked DCA-JFK-EZE (March 6) and EZE-MIA-DCA (March 12). At booking on January 26, only EZE-MIA had C availability, so confirmed that w/ 2 SWUs. DCA-JFK cleared (e500) at the 100-hour window. JFK-EZE has consistently been half-empty in both J and W, we have had 2 SWUs waitlisted since booking and EF alerts set but no C availability has popped up until today. I think Y sold out a couple days ago. Earlier today (34 hours pre-departure), we cleared into J and now the flight is showing completely sold out. I had an EF alert set for if our original Y seats became open (which went off around 11 a.m.) and another alert set for C (which didn't go off until nearly 8 p.m.). Setting the alert for my original seats was key to being able to choose seats together (we got row 4 center seats) in J.

MIA-DCA still hasn't cleared (8/16 occupied) but not worried about that. Mainly glad that we got use out of the SWUs, and that we'll have a 772 with B/E Super Diamond on the way down and 77W on the way back! (and that the upgrades cleared enough in advance to allow us to request special meals!)

So you mean American wont just find me in the boarding area.... thank me for flying with them.... and offer me a first class seat? ...... total BS !! Im going to Delta..

Are CKs listed on the same upgrade list as the rest of us?

had a club agent tell me there was 3 "priority" that wouldn't be on the list but processed first. Just curious besides displaced passengers who would end up on that list.

Yes, they are listed as UPG1 or VIP1 whereas EXP is UPG2 or VIP2.

thanks. Not sure what she meant. Usually the YYZ club is spot on. FWIW myself, #2 & #3 cleared into the J0/Y4 cabin which showed 3 unassigned seats.

Wanna buy some lottery tickets with me?

Does anyone have any experience with upgrades on PHL > SFO on friday night?

I usually fly PHL > PHX and never get close to upgrading as a platinum. Should i assume the same for this leg?

Might book a 1st class ticket if chances are low?

Newbie to SWU
 

For 2019, I achieved ExPlat for the first time (woo!...woo?). I want to use my four SWU's, and am interested in booking two longhaul Main Cabin seats on LAX-HND for my husband and I. However, I noticed that at the time of booking, it says that upgrades using SWU's are not available. I apologize in advance for the newbie questions, but I can't find definitive answers anywhere on a FlyerTalk wiki (or I skimmed too quickly and didn't notice if they are truly available). My questions are as follows:

1) If I book Main Cabin seats from SEA-LAX-HND, and only want to use SWU on the long haul leg, can I specificy so as not to waste two of them on the domestic segment?
2) At the time of booking, although it says upgrades using SWU's are not available, am I to understand that they MAY become available, and I am then added to the waitlist until they do, and then depending on where we are on the waitlist they will then clear?
3) On the LAX-HND flights If I book MC, on a flight where PE and Business are available, do we upgrade to the next class of service (meaning PE) or business class?

Again, apologies for my (probably) simple questions. Just want to make sure I understand completely.

Really appreciate any guidance.

Perfect, and great feedback, really appreciate it!