A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
For award tickets, look at the forum for your own FF program for tips.
At best, an alliance upgrade with miles will generally require purchase of an essentially full fare coach ticket. This will probably be prohibitively expensive. Again, you need to check the details for your own FF program.