Originally Posted by
bocastephen
Yes - up to last year we could just call BR, confirm Z space was 4 or more, and process the upgrade. Now Z space is separated into BR program and *A program sub buckets so they don't match anymore, but you'll still find upgrades process when I=0. That's just BR - I can't speak for other *A members.
Yes, but upgrade with what tool(s)?
But being so far a bit unfamiliar with BR, but research seem to indicate that Z (unlike most other Star Alliance carriers) is not a revenue bucket, but an upgrade/award bucket. Generally though, for using the Star Alliance upgrade, that is exactly what the system looks for, award space. Now coming back to UA, since that was where your first question came from, they do have agreements with carriers that stretch beyond the standard Star Alliance process.