EXP but only around 200k rolling LP.
On the waitlist for LAX-SYD tonight. Had to call the EXP desk because a delay meant I was going to miss my connection. While I was on, I asked how things were looking for the waitlist. The representative said I was third on the list as of now, but that there were two open seats in first and six in business. Is there a chance he was totally wrong and is just looking at the seat map? EF is showing F1, J0.

~ 400K rolling LP.
CLT-MSY on Jan 22, cleared at T-100.
MSY-CLT on Jan 24, F sold out 1 week ahead, was first of 26 for 0 seats.

PLAT with ~18k rolling LP
DCA > DTW, morning on Tuesday 23 Jan, on a CRJ-700
Cleared about 26 hours out. Some empty seats even in MCE.

This past Wed TPA/MIA I paid $54 for an upgrade. When we boarded 2 CKs went back to coach. Getting touch when a CK can't clear TPA/MIA on a 738.

AA has just told you a $54 kettle possibly non elite member is more important than a CK.

:rolleyes:

Isn’t the point of complimentary upgrades is that they are complimentary? I.e. not a given? For $54 pay for the darn thing. I say that as an EXP with 350k LPs and flying on my own dime, not OPM.

No. AA advertises comp upgrades at as a benefit. It's rarely offered anymore and I know it's not guaranteed but by offering cheap upgrades to anyone undermines the supposed importance of AA's higher level elites. It's insulting at the core of it.

And how do you know that it wasn’t elites buying the upgrades? I do. If it is that important, buy it. And while the upgrades are a “benefit”, they are always indicated (in the App, etc.) as “complimentary upgrade requested.”

Doesn't matter if it's Ken Kettle no status or a CK. It just reeks of cheapness and zero loyalty appreciation by pissing off your top tiered elites. Penny wise pound foolish in my opinion.
For me personally I don't care as I would never pay a $ to upgrade a domestic ticket anywhere. If and when I get a comp upgrade I'm happy with it.
I'll agree to disagree with you.

May I ask if you have status, and how many LPs you have? This will be useful data for some of the upthread posts.
​​​​​ (not trying to be nosy here…the question is for the benefit of the group)

I dont have nearly enough experience or time with AA being an elite nor have I been anything more than Plat but I couldnt phathom not paying $54 if that was my offer. I'd be on that every single time. And if we are talking Transcon or long ish mid con anything below $300 I am on it every single time.

But then after the flight I will think if it was worth it b/c I am always let down by the food but I do think its worth it for the bigger seat, quieter cabin, and getting off the plane quicker.

I'd gladly pay $54 for an upgrade but all of my bookings are via points therefore not eligible for cash upgrades. So there are some of us in that camp that it's either a COMP upgrade or it's not happening.

What windows are people seeing with TATL SWUs at the moment? I have a MIA-LHR early March on a 77W with ~40 open seats in J at the moment, and ~22 for the LHR-MIA return. Most likely, are they going to make me sweat it out until ~T-30 hours out?

The referenced fifty-buck upgrade was Tampa to Miami, one of the shortest mainline flights in the timetable. Even beverage service is probably hit-and-miss in F.

I think the disconnect is those of us who for _decades_ became accustomed to comp upgrades on the short legs are suddenly not getting them. My own example is MCI-DFW, which was always an easy upgrade for me. I do it 12x per year, usually connecting to a longhaul flight which I use other instruments to upgrade. Since the pandemic, this segment has become a rare upgrade. Why? I think people are paying the $50 or whatever for in-app upgrades. I don't begrudge AA the incremental revenue, but it still feels cheap when you are spending the time and money to keep top-tier status.

Both things can be valid points. AA should be rewarding its best flyers; but at the same time, AA needs every bit of incremental revenue it can get. I don’t begrudge AA for selling upgrades. I do wish AA would bring back BOB for the times when my upgrade doesn’t clear (like tomorrow on PHL-DFW).