What I have done before is at my origin city I have asked to have my companion (Which I am meeting at my connecting city) to be listed for first class. Then when I get to the connecting city I always just verify with a gate agent he/she is still listed and get a feeling for the chances they will be upgraded. It has worked for me a couple of times.


BTW, I just found this site earlier today and find it great. Wish I had known about the before.