I'm conducting a little mini experiment. I ordered just a few weeks ago but paid in full at the time of my order. Just wondering if that put me to the top of the pecking order in front of those who may have placed their order earlier but only PO'd and still need to have their cards ran.
As a matter of fact, I called AE today about that very subject (in my case to maybe expedite HT Batman). Anyway, they said that they go in order of orders - not in order of payment. There is no bonus to paying in full. When you order or preorder, you are in line and that's the line they follow.