[QUOTE=Flying Prof]
The ability to to confirm upgrades has been the major attraction of oneWorld versus *Alliance (correct me if I'm wrong here as I'm only really familiar with Air NZ policy). Air NZ does, however, give confirmed upgrades to its Gold Elite members but it seems QF is not even going to give WPs this privilege.

SQ will confirm the upgrade or full reward at the time of booking and allow you to waitlist if there is no availability. Also, they don't require you to ticket the upgrade or reward until shortly, usually 10 days or so, before the flight. And at the time of ticketing, they give you the choice of using all points or buying a cheapie and upgrading it with points, whatever suits you best.