I've only flown first class on an award ticket once: a US flight from Puerto Rico to WAS. I don't know if they knew I was an award, but they treated me very well. It was in Nov. 01., and the plane (one of their new ones) was nearly empty, as was fc. My moron friend ;-), who was traveling in coach, did not use any of his many upgrade coupons, most of which have gone on to expire. ("I always forget ...." How how how could you forget something like that!) tls