Transcons between SFO and EWR are a hard upgrade, but I read some of these success (failure?) rates with disbelief. As a Plat on lowest available fares, I was 7/18 in 2007, 3/9 so far in 2008, typically flying west on Thursdays, east on Mondays.

Those of you zipping out for years on end, care to name the day/flights? There might be "snowball in hell" flights that are worse than average, that you're sticking to. Otherwise, I have a hard time believing you. One can't get lower in the Platinum barrel than me, and this is my route.

Avoid easy connections with Europe, and you don't compete with BF passengers. Better, pay the $50 cab far from SJC to BART, for a nearly sure upgrade in/out of SJC. I used to do this, but don't consider the inconvenience worth it; I just want to get to my destination with as little hassle as possible.