Sounds weird the line about coach domestically. I know this is something that varies airline to airline especially when using partner awards, but I've always managed to get domestic F when part of an int'l J itinerary. So whether "Upper Class" is considered as F or J wouldn't even normally be the issue - I would "normally" expect either to access domestic F where no J product exists. Keep trying is probably your best bet...

Delta advise that Virgin only permit Delta to fly pax in Coach on connections. Strange this is a Virgin restriction when it is a Delta award and on Delta flights.

Is LHR your final destination, or are you continuing on VS to somewhere else in Europe?

Final destination is Madrid. VS award travel to Europe terminates in the UK. For me, comfort on the VS flight from LAX is the most important factor. Don't see the point in flying BE when you can have a sky suite for approx the same miles redemption. I am happy to purchase a $200 ticket from LHR-MAD-LHR.

If you travel on VS, sign-up for their ff program and you can see VS award availability online. This makes your call to Delta more productive.

Recommend you view the www.v-flyer.com forum to ascertain which VS flights are most likely to have the new Upper Class Suites and request travel accordingly.

Good luck