Hi all, I'm looking into the feasibility of booking PEY seats SYD-HKG-KIX and return in early June, and using AsiaMiles to upgrade to J. I have no AsiaMiles status and would be transferring the miles from Amex MR, so would value as much certainty as possible before transferring my MR points.

I've waded through much of this thread and have learned a lot but have a few questions:

1. Am I right that even though I have ExpertFlyer there's no way to definitively search for confirmable business class upgrade inventory, but that I class (discounted business) is my best proxy? (though not necessarily reliable)
2. I would probably only try to upgrade the long-haul sectors, and leave the HKG-Japan sectors in PEY. Does that mean that as an upgrade guide I should just look at I inventory on SYD-HKG-SYD (which is remarkably good right now; I9 most flights) or would married sector logic apply and there would need to be I available on SYD-HKG-KIX (there's almost none)?
3. If there is business upgrade inventory, does that clear immediately (even though I have no status)?
4. If there's not business upgrade inventory, does the waitlist typically clear automatically or should I be calling and requesting manual review?
5. Assuming I manage to confirm upgrades for the long-haul legs, do I still have the option to bid for upgrades on the intra-Asia flights or does the system not allow a mix of miles and cash based upgrades?

thank you!