Note that my parents and I were non-elite passengers at the time.

1988 - I was 9 years old traveling with my dad from NRT to BKK on NW. During our layover in NRT, my dad dozed off in an isolated part of the airport, so we arrived at the gate just before the flight was about to be closed. From my point of view a kid, the agent typed in our surnames into the computer, took our original boarding passes, and gave us new ones. My dad just smiled as we were walking to the gate and said, "We're seated in executive class." I had no clue what that meant, as all I knew about classes of service at the time were coach and first class. What stood out to me was that there were only 2 seats together and that I was able to get out of my seat without asking my dad to get out. That was my first introduction to premium travel. That was the beginning of my addiction and hope for getting upgraded in future flights, more for ego.

1991 - I was 12 years old traveling with my mom from NRT to MNL on NW. Unlike the incident above with my dad, my mother and I arrived at the gate on time. Waiting to get to the gate agent to lift the ticket, my mother pointed out that the agent was asking coach passengers if they'd like to be upgraded to business class, and my face lit up, hoping we'd be given the same offer. Fortunately, we were. I think Y was severely overbooked and J way open.

Then came 7 years of dry spells on international trips with no offers of op-ups.

But since 1998, I've been flying J on international trips. I'm wondering if I'll ever get an op-up to F. However, I've mentally prepared myself not to expect to fly F or to even book travel in F. I'm not even elite on the carrier or alliance.