When do I clear for connecting flight?

With my trip to TYO i'm going to need to connect, either DFW/ORD/LAX from NYC (LGA or JFK).

Any chance we could clear (praying for the upgrade) for our TYO flight in NYC?

If so, is it possible to be extremely flexible in moving to a different outbound flight to increase odds of upgrade? IE, we'll be scheduled on LGA-DFW, but switch last minute to LGA-ORD?

How much hassle is this for GA or my Uncle who is the AA employee i'm using for the buddy pass?

Your uncle, the employee, would be the best resource to answer these questions. Generally speaking, you usually clear for a connecting flight at the connecting city gate.

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Originally Posted by isppilot

Your uncle, the employee, would be the best resource to answer these questions. Generally speaking, you usually clear for a connecting flight at the connecting city gate.

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I second Isppilot...Ask Active Employee

Quote:

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Originally Posted by isppilot

Your uncle, the employee, would be the best resource to answer these questions. Generally speaking, you usually clear for a connecting flight at the connecting city gate.

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Received clarification on my questions.

1 - You only clear at the connecting city gate (As mentioned) if space available, but you are placed higher in the upgrade list (Against other D3's) if you are a connecting passenger. Or if you get to the airport very early. So it could benefit you to get to the airport as early as allowed. (Example - I'm flying JFK-LAX, departing JFK at 6am eastern time. Arriving at JFK at 4am. This is 1 AM at LAX)

2 - You can be move from 1 flight to another to increase your chances of an upgrade, but you might not receive a meal. One of the actions the sponsoring employee conducts is "meal listing" the non-rev. This needs to happen 48 hours in advance of our flight. So if you are T-48 hours and look to move flights, you risk not having a meal.