I can report that the auto upgrade function works quite well for me. Example: was flying 2 weeks ago HAM-DXB-SIN-DXB-HAM, booked approx. 3 months in advance in J and activated auto upgrade for all flights. Segment 1 was confirmed almost immedietaly after booking, Segment 2 approx. 10 weeks before scheduled departure and Segment 3 3 days before. Only on DXB-HAM I was in J.