In '98 my first ever flight on AC (HKG-YVR-YYZ-ORD), I was upgraded to C on the trans-Pacific - this on the strength of a TG gold card and a *very* oversold flight.
That sort of got me hooked.
Since then have received usually around 5 or 6 complimentary upgrades a year, both as E and more recently as SE. (usually, but not always because of oversold flights).
I'm not partiularly well dressed; am always flying on Int'l tickets and usually ask at the gate - ideally a single gate agent that doesn't look too harassed.
"I seem to have a touch of Dyslexia this morning; I'm not sure if it's contagious" seems to work well on Q & L's...