Dear Forum
I am based in NZ but have been a United 1K for 15 years (and also MM which gives lifetime Star Gold status, at least under current UA MileagePlus settings). I am thinking of switching to TG because the USD$24k spend to maintain 1K is not feasible (compared to when MileagePlus was distance based which gave an advantage to flying to and from NZ).

My target is ROP Gold, with the main benefit of interest being the annual upgrade of a roundtrip from economy to business. My question for any TG fliers based in NZ concerns how to actually implement this upgrade, given that TG is not currently flying to Auckland so I assume there is no local ticket office (in the past, ca.2017, when I flew TG from AKL I can remember visiting their office on the mezzanine floor at the airport). Who do you contact to check on upgrade available space because I would only want to book flights upgradeable at booking, as it is a long way to Europe in Economy. I would also happily receive any other observations from NZ-based TG fliers.

Thanks!