Tonight, I booked a paid business class ticket and an economy ticket for my partner. After applying PPs to my partner’s reservation I called the GS line and asked if the agent could push through the upgrade. I was told that was not possible since it was not within 72 hours of departure. I then reiterated that I was flying paid business and that the standard policy is to force an upgrade for one companion’s regardless of how far out departure is. The agent’s response was that they “now only do that for full-fare business class” and that a “Z class is not full fare.” 🙄
I HUCAed and the next agent was able to clear the upgrade with no issues.