Originally Posted by
JDiver
For future reference, at least some of us use tools to check for C availability before we book that nonref / change-fee bound fare, so we can book the upgrade as we book (Platinums do have the phone fee, but it's a pittance in exchange for the comforts...) In the case of finding a flight with C availability JFK-LHR, when the upgrade is granted for miles and copay (or SWU) the domestic portion is then upgraded regardless of apparent availability.
(KVS and ExpertFlyer are two tools used by FlyerTalkers.)
This is good information. I already had a KVS subscription, but found that C availability doesn't seem to show for me in that tool--I'm now on a trial of ExpertFlyer, which indicates no availability in C for my flight. Also, my travel dates were pretty much fixed, so I'll take economy if business is unavailable, but it's very good to know that the domestic portion will go if the international one does. *fingers crossed*