Wow, I did not know M fares will now give 1.5x skymiles. That is good news for those of us buying int'l M fares to upgrade!
Secondly, Kiam, I hope you are right. I am planning to offer GM to a friend and would hate to have that friend not being able to upgrade a few days after that. Has anyone called or emailed DL to get confirmation it will be effective immediately? If we do a booking now, should we make the reservation without the SM number and then enter it after the status has been confirmed? Or do you think everything will be perfect and one will be able to request the upgrade as soon as I make the gift?