Originally Posted by BlondeBomber

...I think eupgrades have worked OK.

Tricks of the trade:

• Use my SE status to confirm upgrades
• If lots of R space and booking fare class at 4 days, cancel and use partner's credits
• Split PNRs when travelling on same ticket when can't upgrade at 7 day window so I can upgrade partner first then SE priority kicks in day of flight
• Use One-way tickets to avoid IT problems (where possible, works great on domestic

but not so great on transoceanic where Saturday stay required).

Other tricks I am aware of but not used (keep checking for R space on day of since there are issues with upgrades not clearing and going to unintended parties over SEs!)