Originally Posted by
agehall
When I got to CPH, I was told that there was no way I would get an upgrade because they had no more food. I asked them how this was possible as I had checked in at ARN 5h prior to the CPH-DXB flight. They didn't really respond to that but basically told me to get on board or go home.
The catering order is usually filed around 10-12 h prior to departure and the number of meals ordered in each class is determined based on i.e. the number of booked pax and a forecast model for the number of upgrades that will be done. Once that order is placed it won't be altered, no matter how many would like to spend points, money or charm to be upgraded.
I got this explanation from a station manager at ARN about a year ago. It might have changed now though to support the intro of upgrades with special meal.