I usually fly out on a Monday morning LAX-JFK (before noon), which definitely puts me a peak flight.

I am usually a bit more flexible on the return, and try to catch one of the last flights back on Friday night or mid-day Saturday.

Phx - Ord flight 332 this morning. Upgraded at T-25.5 (at least that's when I got the email). Waitlist 40 deep with no seats available.

Hopefully my wed night return will clear

Is it my imagination, or is AA waiting until closer to departure to clear upgrades? My flight has been J4 C4 for weeks, including C4 upgrade space, which used to be a semi-reliable indicator of processing early upgrades. But I am now at T-15 hours and the algo still hasn't cleared anyone. Meanwhile they are perfectly happy to keep trying to sell me an upgrade.

I was surprised they upgraded me at T-25.5 given this flight was J4 yesterday. Of course, their algorithm comes into play on how many seats to hold back. Given all the competition and cheap offers, I am surprised anyone gets a free upgrade these days given their desire to ring every last penny they can out of us.

Cleared DFW-DCA at T-100 hours - right on the dot. Funny how it works some times.

Cleared MIA-AXA at T-25 as EXP.

#6 of 33 for zero seats on tonight's ORD-PHX flight. Around 325k rolling LPs.

My daughter, EXP, low 300K rolling LPs, cleared ORD-DCA at T-100.

8/6 TPA-DCA Cleared at T-25 (only 8 seats)
8/8 DCA-TPA #1 out of 19- Didn't clear (only 8 seats)
~280K rolling LPs

Is there any way to look at the upgrade waitlist before OLCI. Last few times my name was missing from the list (Exec Platinum) and the AA CSR told me "Have it added at the gate". Flying Tuesday AA2721 PHX-PHL with two (?) seats open (have no expertflyer) - upgrade available to sale for $800 LOL

A few hours before my flight this morning I was surprised to see I was NOT on the upgrade waitlist in the app. Then I realized I was not checked in. Once I checked in, I immediately showed up at spot #1.

… I guess you need to be checked in to show up on the list.

on that list but as people get upgraded “up to 100h before” there needs to be another list

Ord-mco tomorrow. 1 lifetime exp one mid 200s exp complimentary upgraded at T-24. Upgrade offer was 175.

Summer 2026
 

I have been checking Expert Flyer for June and early July of 2026 and have been unable to locate any TATL C inventory. Usually this far out, I am able to find a few flights with C inventory during this time of year. I wonder if AA is withholding the inventory in the hope that people pay the high mileage rates to upgrade to business.

My guess is there is only one list that you get automatically added to, your position dependent on how many rolling LPs you have. Its just that the list is not visible in the app until several hours before travel, and also you need to be checked in to see your name on it.