I am hoping someone with ExpertFlyer access can help. I am looking at booking JFK-LAX on June 16 (2 passengers) and was hoping to use BXP1 upgrades to get business class. Since it is a Sunday and Father's Day, the load looks lighter than normal.

LAX is not our final destination on this run, so if that option is not available, we will take the JFK-DFW flight which is a bit shorter of a flight for an MCE seat.

Why not get a trial membership?

It's an option - thanks!

Right now there is no upgrade availability on any of the JFK-LAX nonstops on June 16. 100% to be expected on route like JFK-LAX.

Thank you for checking - I did expect that to be the case, but was hoping since it was an early morning Sunday flight. Rather than chance it, I will book though DFW - sitting MCE is preferable on a 4 hour flight.

New to this Biz Extra and chose award for domestic biz (2 cabin). Called designated line to book starting December and not available on many chosen possible trips. OK- I asked for the details and informed need to have "U" on all segments. Finally found a ticket to book and called this morning. PSP-ORD and told not available. I gave the person the flights PSP-DFW-ORD and was told yes- "ok, and the return date/" Provided the date and informed not available. Gave the flights ORD-PHX-PSP I saw "U" available and told yes and booked. I asked why she could not see what I did to tell me was not available and got a ridiculous answer that she would have to look at each flight of the day. Did I just get a lazy person or is there something I should be aware for future?

The meeting services reps are no different from your basic AA phone agents, i.e. some are ok but others are poorly trained and/or have no idea what they're doing. If you read back over posts in this thread over the past few months there are lots of examples of award flights being available at aa.com yet the meeting services reps can't book them for BE awards for whatever reason, while you can HUCA and the next rep will have no problem booking it. HUCA is key.

Whenever I book BE awards, I always put the award flights on hold at aa.com, then call meeting services and have them book it as a BE award. If they start giving you what seems like nonsense, HUCA.

Thanks- did not think of putting anything on hold, best way to ensure the "U's" are locked in. Also did not know AA reps were trained by UA.

Apologies if this was covered upstream somewhere, but can someone tell me where BXP1'a would be in the upgrade hierarchy at the gate? I currently have zero status and < $1k in rolling EQD. It's a SFO-ORD late afternoon flight so I figure if it goes to the gate F will probably be sold out anyways. Just want know if I have little chance or no chance. Thanks!

BXP1 requires C inventory, and you'd be ranked according to your status and rolling EQDs over the past 12 months among anyone else wait-listed for C.

That will be an entirely separate ranking from anyone waiting on an elite/500-cert upgrade, which comes out of a separate inventory (R, I think). It's quite possible AA never opens up C, and everyone on the elite upgrade clears and you fly in the back (which has been my experience). *If* C opens up, you'll clear if there are no elites ahead of you.

Thanks. That is what I figured but appreciate the confirmation.

I'm curious if there's ever been an immediate change in the Business Extra redemption chart? Meaning, more BE points were required for an award without advanced warning? I ask because I'm holding points for a trip in 2020 or 2021 but don't want a surprise in points needed for my trip.

There has been a sudden increase in cost of Gold membership - I don't recall prices going in last 4-5 years. You can issue an award and have a whole year to use it and can then book for upto 330 days out when you ticket. Keep an eye on the point expiration!

AC Membership just went up from 3000 to 3300 but they gave a week's notice by email at least.

As soon as you have the points, probably best to redeem if it's something big like TATL F.