I'm Platinum (though probably low within the tier, because I got it through a challenge sent out over the summer and so have fewer than the usual number of EQDs) flying PHL - SFO (connecting from DCA) on AA 1742 on Thursday, Jan 9. I've got 500-mile upgrades to burn--any sense of my chances of getting to use them? Wondering whether it's worth shelling out for the cash ticket or if I should do it with miles.

Unfortunately, I would say that the chances of clearing for PHL-SFO (or pretty much any transcontinental flight) are very, very low. I say this from years of experience across all levels of AA "elitism." I.e., for planning purposes, don't count on it. Not sure what your comparative miles vs. dollars prices are -- would you be using the miles to book yourself into First? I may not be following well, but I would suggest you find a flight in economy, whether via miles or cash, where you can get a good MCE seat. Then if lightning strikes (figuratively -- an upgrade clears), fantastic. Otherwise, not so bad (in like an exit aisle MCE).

PHL - SFO in winter is mostly the A321 so upgrade isn’t worth it. If you are in the A330 it would be nice lie flat seats so that could be but harder to clear. Less competition in winter too.

Flying DFW-LHR on Thursday (11/21). Requested upgrade for 2 pax in August. Should I split the reservation now in hopes of one of us clearing? Will it preserve the original request date? I'm feeling a little annoyed because our third pax (separate PNR) cleared without any status and much less EQD and EQM than I have and a later request, though she doesn't know when cleared.

Expert Flyer showing:
F1 A0 J6 R6 D6 I6 W2 P2 Y5 B5 H5 K5M5 L4 G5 V4 S3 N1 Q0 O0 E0

Request date has no bearing on the waitlist, just status and then rolling EQD.

If the other pax cleared with no status and less EQD, then AA most likely released 1 C space and it skipped you as you're looking for 2. Splitting your PNR would solve this, although there can then be issues with how your companion is sorted once you split. What status do you both have?

I'll defer to others more knowledge, but I recollect from past personal experience, that splitting the PNR at this point will in fact NOT preserve the original request date. Again, I could be wrong, but I distinctly recall getting bit by that one time.

In my experience, it's best to decide if you want split PNRs at the moment of purchase.

Regards

I'm plat, companion has no status.

Thanks for the guidance--I still have a hold on one of those 5K transcon economy award tickets from last week, so the choice is between getting that and giving up the chance of an upgrade, or shelling out cash for the economy ticket (~$240) in hopes of getting upgrades. Sounds like the latter's not worth it, so I'll just grab the award ticket and spend the extra cash on a nice meal and airline pillow.

I've had it now multiple times happen in the last weeks that the upgrade wait-list in the AA app differs from the gate display. Has anything changed in the system?
I.e. I'm listed #2 but arriving at the gate I'm shown as #5 . And the app still shows me on #2 till takeoff.
This is transcon so there's also J to F upgrades mixed in, but shouldn't that be consistent between both app and gate?

happens often on this route....I think it’s paid premium cabin (either F or J) trying to get on an earlier or later flight and they trump UPG list.

Plat with $6500 spend. Just cleared ORD-PSP at gate and PHX-DCA 24hr window.

I've tried to do this as well, and also gotten 2 (maybe even 3) different answers. I think the prevailing wisdom is that unless it's AA metal and ticketed on AA , you can't upgrade with AA miles.

This isn't true. There are restrictions on fare classes, but you can upgrade BA and IB-metal flights with AAdvantage miles if the flight has award availability in the next class of service: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp

Re-booked on AA flights operated by BA. Expert flyer does not show AA flight numbers, so how do I search for upgrade space? Do I look for 'U' on the BA flight number?

Yes.