American Airlines Preferred Seating
 

Does AA preferred seats offer more leg room, or are they simply seats that are closer to the front of the plane?

On the MD80s/737s, the exit rows offer more legroom, although the seats in the first of the two exit rows on each side of the aisle don't recline. The other preferred seating are closer to the front and/or aisle seats. These become available to all for an extra charge at check-in.

They don't offer you free drinks,etc. on international flights like other airlines.

Thought I would answer my own question now that I've taken my trip.

* Preferred seats do NOT offer more leg room unless you're in the exit row. Only exit row seating offers additional leg room.
* The only "pro" about the preferred seats are that they are at the front of the plane.
* The preferred seats do not naturally translate to a lower number for group boarding. I had to pay an additional $9 (on top of my preferred seat upgrade) to get priority boarding.

Unless I could get an exit row (which I did) OR I needed to deplane quickly for a short connection time, I would not purchase the preferred seat "upgrade" again.