Originally Posted by JJonahJ

Datapoints:
I upgraded a no-fee BMO Airmiles MC to the BMO World Elite MC, full promo offered. However, my wife asked for the same but was denied. i.e., we were both upgrading. I have a small BMO bank account, she does not. Our cards were about the same age, just over a year opened. We each spent between $500 - $8000 on it during that time period, not a lot.