Hello!

I get most of my points through CC spend, and I’m looking for some thoughts / opinions from the FTers.

Situation (2 People):

Original booking was: EWR to SIN via Tokyo all in discount economy. I was able to call the service desk and have the flight changed to EWR to SIN via Hong Kong at no additional charge due to the disaster. The 14hr flights to/from Hong Kong are in BF CO planes. The 3hr flights to/from SIN are on United. I now realize I can also upgrade via the CO web-site for $500 +30k miles for each person each way. I may be willing to do this to try BF, I’ve never flown international before so the possibility is exciting.

My account balances:
My CO Miles: 30k
My SPG Pts: 45k
Wife CO Miles: 60k

Amounts are rounded but would need to buy an additional 1 or 2k CO miles to make it all work.

Questions:

1. Would you do it? It would be 120k miles and 2k for the whole thing.
2. Anyone know if the united segments would upgrade? The CO site says I can’t do it online, so I’m assuming this means that segment would still be economy?
3. I saw on the web-site that even after paying the miles + fee the upgrade still isn’t guaranteed. Does anyone know how often these fail? I would hate for my wife and I to get split up, although I guess we could decline if both of us don’t make it.
4. In order to get both to/from segments upgraded I need to transfer some of my SPG points to CO. Anyone know how long it takes for them to post?
5. For anyone who has flown BF, what’s your favorite part?

Thanks!
marben