Korean Air Skypass - Any way to upgrade???

It's my first time flying to Asia. I'll be traveling SLC-LAX and LAX-ATL-SDQ on DL and LAX-ICN, ICN-PEK, SGN-ICN-LAX on KE. Is there any way to upgrade for a lower price than paying the fare difference, if there is any empty Business Class seat the day of the flight, like some carriers do? I've heard that chances for an op-up are close to 0% on KE even for SkyTeam Elite members.

what is skyteam elite? if there was a magic word for elites to upgrade, it would be all over on FT by now. Get yourself an exit row by showing up couple hours early.

Good idea to arrive at the airport early, especially leaving LAX to ICN. TBIT is really chaotic. You will stand in line to check in as a Y traveler, stand in a line to drop off your checked luggage for TSA inspection, and then stand in an even longer line for your personal TSA screening.

Forget about an operational upgrade. If you want to fly in Business Class, break out the credit card or buy a ticket using your accumulated miles. I fly KE in C to Asia and back a couple of times a year and the planes are usually full in both Y and C.

Enjoy your trans-Pacific flight on KE. The trip will be predictable, the service fine, the aircraft clean and more likely than not, you will depart and arrive on time. What more could you ask for?

I've heard that chances for an op-up are close to 0% on KE even for SkyTeam Elite members.

Forget about op-ups. even paid C seats are quite hard to get. at least whenever I want em.

Just sitting in the KAL lounge after arrival from FRA. I have been op-uped to business on this flight :-) There were a lot of us (whole upper deck of 747), so we get only economy meal service, but even that was nice. And new seats with AVOD are very fine.

So it is possible :-)

If you're a skypass member (morning calm and up) there is a separate check-in counter and so less of the long lines you encounter when you check in as coach in LAX.

have anybody tried upgrading at the check-in counter (i was told that i have to call the skypass number to get upgrades)? i mean if one is a morning calm status and has accumulated many miles.