Two upgrade questions from someone new to Aeroplan, and struggling to understand the intricacies. I'm a peasant level Aeroplan member at the moment (34,022 miles since joining in March) but about to be elite as soon as one last flight gets credited. My understanding is that I will get to select 2009 elite benefits, which can include a few SWU certificates.

I'm planning on using the SWUs that should be coming my way to upgrade on SYD-YVR vv in December/January (I'll happily buy a latitude fare if the upgrades will be confirmed ahead of time and not subject to availability at check in):

1- if there is 'I space' available when I book (according to seatcounter.com and the presence of little blue arrows on aircanada.com) and I request my upgrades straight away after booking my understanding is that they should be confirmed straight away. But does this mean that they are really confirmed (with a specific seat allocation) and I won't miss out on the day, or are they like QF international upgrades where you are put on a list and not actually finally put in business class until check in?

2- I understand that I actually need to have the upgrade certificates in my hot little hand at check in to use them. But can I request the upgrade online without actually having received them? I want to book as early as possible so as to get to choose dates with 'I space' available that suit me. Based on how long it took my original Aeroplan membership card to arrive, it'll likely take 8 or more weeks for my elite pack and certificates to make it to the antipodes - but can I make my booking and request the upgrades using the certificate type numbers available on flyertalk (e.g 8100001) before I actually get the certs, or is there a unique number specific to that individual certificate that I need to enter?

Thanks!