LGA_UAL - yes, in the referenced thread I linked to it was lamented that 1K 'Sweet Spots' Certs would of course have achieved a 'Z' fare upgrade to F with no incident. Shame is that the Sweeties ALL expired at the same time, a few months back, and are now history of course. I asked here several times and it appears there were
no exception later dates printed/stamped on Certs ever posted here for those upgrades.
Any UA gate agent can and will do (within reason) pretty much whatever they see fit to get a full plane out on time. "Operationally" upgrading a Z pax to First on a 3 classer is now and always has been possible at gate - as indeed is upgrading a V or W class coach pax to First if they choose, (or even staffers, coff!) but I personally would NOT hold my breath hoping for the latter.
