The seat map does change every day, but I don't think it's worth obsessing about this. Where are you flying?

San Francisco - San Juan, Puerto Rico, taking a cruise.

Not exactly obsessing, just easy to do it at work, takes a minute or two.

So far, no changes in the past 3 weeks. Just want to move from the windows into the aisles, but not in the last 3 rows.

The aisle seats may require a fee.

Dayenu,keep checking. I have been in a similar situation a couple of times and have been able to change seats. On some flights when people upgrade better seats become available.

Actually, that's a good point. You can undoubtedly pay to have a premium seat selection. That might be your best bet. Aisle seats toward the back half of the plane aren't premium seats, but the ones up front are.

Thanks, Esm! Doug - yes, they make it very clear I can pay for the first couple of rows.

I am going through the same thing. AA rep tells me to check weekly to see what opens up. Also said when at the airport we would be able to arrange for better seats. I'm keeping the faith

My experience has been that you can only arrange for better seats at the airport if the flight is not full or if you are willing to pay. If you wait that long, you really do limit your options. If this is particularly important to you, then I'd recommend the weekly check-in. But you can almost always pay on the day of the flight (that's been my experience anyway, especially since most of the upgrades don't happen until shortly before take-off).

Today they don't even show the plane map. Our assigned seats are still there. Oh, well...

Lately I always pay the extra for the seats. I like to have the two together with my husband up front of coach. I can never get those at the airport. Especially on a long flight, I see the extra money as a bonus of comfort.

They've changed the schedule! From 5 to 20 minutes on different legs! And on one leg moved us one row up

They have just changed the times on all four of our Christmas flights and probably will do it again. At least you got a better seat!

Are you an AA frequent flyer -- even just having a FF number with them? If so, call the Aadvantage desk and ask them to do it for you. What comes up as available seats online rarely has much to do with what's actually available.

Sure, I am! We both are. Never thought I could call AA desk... Thank you, Patrick, I'll try when back from our trip next week.

I did that exact thing. I called AA desk. Their seat map showed what I had.
Still good advice though.

Are you calling 800-882-8880? That number takes you directly to Aadvantage desk and not just the general AA desk. I learned long ago that I seem to get different answers there than I'd get just calling American generally. And I also like having them register my phone number so when I call they speak to me by name without my giving my FF number, and immediately know what reservations I have.

Yes. I did use that number. I will try again though too.