Empress
3 rules if you want to be upgraded on Qantas.
1. Learn to spell the name of the airline.
2. Register your status as emerald, and do it again in the first class lounge when you arrive there.
3. Be very polite and not pushy -- 'tis not Amerikan!
If unsuccessful, join the crowd of us Qantas Gold, who very, very rarely get upgrades, and then only for "operational" reasons.
Good luck!