Historically, free upgrades for status customers have been one of the main advantages of North American programs. At times, it went so far that it was almost an exception if an airline could actually sell a First Class ticket on a domestic flight.

But of course, these upgrades were always capacity controlled, so you had no real entitlement to them.

Reports are now increasing that US airlines prefer to sell remaining First Class seats to any customers at check-in for a few extra dollars rather than giving them away for free to their best customers a few minutes later.

And American Airlines will now introduce the next restriction on August 25: On transcontinental flights and flights to Hawaii, where American Airlines uses aircraft with an Economy Class, a Premium Economy and a Business Class cabin, AAdvantage status customers can only upgrade by one class. So if you want to gamble on a Business Class seat, you have to buy a much more expensive Premium Economy ticket.

Without being sure that someone at American won’t have the idea to sell a potentially free seat in Business Class at the last minute.