55 Hours out and currently still J5 with C3 now. I'm platinum and put in for 500 mile for me and companion, what are chances it clears now?

Also if it clears and there are no 2 seats together will it still upgrade and let me choose?

What flight are you talking about?

The physical location of the seat and whether they are next to one another or not plays has no bearing on whether you get upgraded. If AA releases 2 upgrade spaces, you and your companion will get it (assuming you're #1/2 on the list) regardless of what seat locations are left in the cabin.

I'm sorry its AA56 departing 10/18 JFK>LAX, thanks for your help

Expertflyer has a good FAQ for n00b questions like this:
https://www.expertflyer.com/expertflyer-support-faq

All of this is irrelevant, there were 4-5 seats open at t+100 hours when the EXP window opens, clearing then would have been nice. You know, getting benefits for the loyalty. I am clearing 46% of my upgrade eligible flights as an EXP with 20k+ rolling spend. That's pathetic. It was J2 or J3 just this morning inside 48 hours to departure. The reason for longer windows for clearing for different tiers (it would seem), should be if seats are open at t+100 EXP get them, then if no more seats are sold and there are some still there at t+48 or whenever the lower tier window opens, they get them. Not if there are seats haven't sold or been sold for TOD upgrades at t+15 minutes, EXP will get them first priority. I know that's not how it's been working the past few years, but again it's not something I have to like.

46%? Be lucky your not 15% like me! :cool:

That's nuts, I guess DFW really is brutal. I'm 1/2 going through DFW, failed MEX-DFW, cleared DFW-JFK.

I’m not even phased by it anymore. Hell I just boarded a flight to DEN. Nowhere near the top of the list for zero F seats. :D

To be fair, I have been #1 on every upgrade list I haven't cleared except for one...always JUST short.

RM never has worked that way, never will work that way.

Ok man you're right, we should be grateful AA allow us to pay them and we should never expect anything. I love the taste of boot leather.

IMO, AA should always hold one or two seats (if available/unsold) back from upgrades until T-30 minutes. Gives operations options for IROPs. Allows customers that SDC on to the flight, or purchase the flight close-in / day-of a shot at an upgrade. All this is more useful to me as a customer than clearing last-seat upgrades in advance.

So basically your request would to structure the system in a way that most benefits your particular use case, do I have that about right?

Regards

This has nothing to do with whether they care about you, but those seats that are filling up are either people buying seats (demonstrating that they are wise not to upgrade you just yet) or else they are people in front of you on the upgrade list (showing that they will upgrade you just as soon as you reach the top of the list).

There are processes and most likely they are being carefully followed. Of course it is frustrating when you want an upgrade and they don't happen, but I don't think any airline has the time or energy to make it personal :)

Huh? No you don't - not in the slightest.

I can tell you that in five years of being an EXP, I have used SDC precisely one time, nor do I buy last minute tickets (all my tickets are advanced purchase discount fares) so that is not about my particular use case.

One or two empty seats near departure gives far more possible utility and options to the airline and it's customers than filling those seats in advance with upgrades does. That's my opinion.