Was flying Lufthansa from FRA - DFW last fall. NO lufthansa miles....had about 40K UAL miles, but no certificate (and a CHEAPO non-upgradeable ticket).

The "gentleman" in front of me at the gate, travelling with an extended family of about 15 people, had already upgraded two seats with miles, and was arguing about how he should be able to POOL miles from ALL of the rest of the accounts to get a couple more folks upgraded (how it was his right, etc etc...). GA was actually quite courteous through all this (Yes, i DID say I was on lufthansa! lol) but firm in the "nein". After he grumbled and groused and finally walked away all p###ed off, I mentioned (in my badly accented american german) that I was sorry that some people were so rude and that I hoped her day would improve politely asked if I could use my UAL miles to upgrade (knowing it was NOT a player since i ddin't have a cert). She very politely and sadly said that it wasn't possible, but hoped I wouldn't mind an exit row seat for the extra legroom. A bonus for me, as I had been assigned a middle seat in the very back of the jet. yippee. While waiting to board I saw that earlier gentleman return to the GA several times getting more and more irate each time.

ANYWAY.... right before general boarding I hear myself paged.... got to the counter, and a very straight faced GA says, "I'm sorry MR XXXXX, but there seems to have been a mistake with your seat assignment....the exit row isn't available...I hope you don't mind too much." Not much I could do, so I politely said thanks it was worth a try, to which I got the biggest wink....

Looked at my new boarding pass .... a business class seat across the aisle from the a## who'd caused the commotion.