ATL-based EXP here with just-squeaked-by LPs. Ex-ATL I get u/g about 75%. It's at the hub connections where it's a battle sometimes. I used miles+$ to u/g my PVR trip a few weeks ago so I could sit with my bougie friends up front. Sometimes the delta between Y and F isn't that much so if I'm paying I'll pop for F. Can't do that for work travel...

"Influencers" :rolleyes: pathetic.

You should stop expecting things to be like they were nearly 20 years ago(i.e. back in the day). Things change and we, as customers, have to adapt. If you can find an airline with a frequent traveler program that suits you better, then it would behoove you to join it..

Got lucky flying MIA/DFW/TUS last Saturday. I'm number 8 on both flights (lower spend EXP). Then the MIA/DFW goes on a five hour delay due to no crew. So I'm routed MIA/LAX/TUS on the 77W to LAX where I score the last open J seat and immediately upgraded on the LAX/TUS flight (175). But that's a rarity particularly on the 77W to LAX.

Nice! You mean 772 though no? Or did I miss a 77W added back on that route?

B77W is back for a bit.

Missed that thx. Going to look now but maybe this time AA has it actually departing after FFD opens.

They do not.

DEN-CLT still sitting at J7 at T-48 and UGs going for $146.... I swear AA just love to toy with my routes. Waiting for T-27 for it to process, per usual.

Right on queue, T-27 DEN-CTL, guess AA's algorithm couldn't squeeze 10 UG offers out.

Flew PHL-RDU last week. I am EXP with about 230K rolling LPs and on a redemption ticket - not sure if reception has a lower priority than money tickets within EXP waitlist group.

The flight was due to be operated by an A320 12 F seats and was showing J1 all week so not hopeful on upgrade. Late evening before the flight I checked the waitlist and I was no 9 - so now 100% sure of no upgrade, but I had an emergency exit row seat so no real concerns.

Wake up on the morning of the flight to check to see if flight was on time but it was 35 mins late but also a A321 with 20F now operating the flight, and with 9 empty F seats.
30 mins before the flight cleared in to F last person to get upgrade - not expected at all but happily accepted. I think the upgrade gods were looking down on me!😀

CAE-DCA, Gold (69k LPs). Upgrade cleared 23:54 before flight. Boarding pass still shows old seat, so I'll get a physical one tomorrow I guess.

If you have an iPhone and it's in your apple wallet, just delete the boarding pass from your wallet, refresh the AA app by pulling down on the screen and re-add your boarding pass. I have to do that after each upgrade.

BOS to MIA - 3 of 16 seats were open - I had put in for $75 / 15k miles copay, hadnt cleared within 24 hours and then Expert Flyer said 2 seats open so called and was upgraded for me and companion. I am a new EP - 241k LPs but rolling likely half of that.

Just out of curiosity, do most EP's elect for the $75 / 15k option when booking or just roll the dice on complimentary? We are typically flying as a family of 6 and I suspect i'll just try the co-pay option going forward

Two things:

1) if your qualification year to date is 241k LPs, your rolling LPs have to be at 241k or more.

2) To answer your second question from my experience: I would NEVER spend money/miles on a standard domestic F upgrade (I'm likely an outlier on that here). MCE is fine and I'm running >80% on complimentary anyway. I always fly solo (work travel) so I can't speak to experience trying to upgrade multiple people.