Spent the week in PHX for a conference and came home today on HA 35. When I looked at the seatmap last night, Y had plenty of seats open and F had 8 seats open. Decided not to upgrade to F even though the 15K upgrade was available when I called reservations. At PHX, I switched to an exit row since I was originally in row 12. Y cabin was very light and even row 26 where I was had 5 seats wide open. Just before door closing, the PHX gate agent came on the PA and asked if I could identify myself to an FA. Of course I did to the FA who was standing in the galley right next to my row. After she got on the intercom to the agent she told me that I was upgraded to F. Of course I was quite excited but confused. I thought HA didn't do automatic upgrades for elites on transpacs. They gave me the last F seat in the cabin and no one knew why I was upgraded. Before boarding, the gate staff made no announcement that F class upgrades were available.

Is HA changing or has changed their upgrade policy to allow elites automatic upgrades if space is available? Or was this just a nice customer service gesture from the PHX gate agent since he knew from the computer system I was a Pualani Gold member and didn't want to let the F seat go empty?