Originally Posted by
carrera911
I just experienced disappointment and surprise today when I called the Global Services line to request an upgrade from biz class to first class (LAX to SIN via NRT) only to be told that would require $600 plus 30,000 points...ouch
Welcome to FlyerTalk,
carrera911!
Yes, it costs. But this is a fairly recent development; a couple of years ago it wasn't possible to upgrade Z fares, except via "Upgrade for cash" on the day of flight at the airport. Now one can get a confirmed upgrade months in advance. The co-pay is less than the UFC price, AFAIK.
I've upgraded my SFO-SYD-MEL-SYD-SFO flights using this mechanism. All confirmed in F now.