Originally Posted by
lsquare
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On long-haul without status and even with status, I don't think upgrades to a lie-flat seat come easy without an instrument like UA's PlusPoints. US carriers don't want to give away their lie-flat seats for free.
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Neither BA or any of the European carries. The chances of getting upgraded can be quite low and also BA upgrade system is quite complex. For example it doesn’t matter if you are gold as a silver member can be upgraded instead of you or even a bronze one. The US carries have a more clear upgrade system as far as I know. Same as some other airlines such as Lufthansa.