Originally Posted by Kamadan

Of course, one would imagine the underlying un-published criteria for being an EP1 is flying revenue in premium cabins to begin with.

And as EP1 is also not (strictly) qualified upon spend, but rather how influential you are (i.e. CEO or someone who controls large company's travel budget/spend), one would also assume you will be flying in J because of your company/social status... in which case the benefit of upgrades clearing immediately regardless of R/A inventory is... purely academic or moot.