Originally Posted by
cxwaterboy
Step 3: Is there upgrade availability?
Flight upgrades are subject to availability, and award inventory can be limited, especially on popular routes such as JFK and LHR. Call customer service to check if you can do an upgrade using points. Either they'll proceed with the upgrade or put you on a waitlist.
My previous advice was for pax to call to check upgrade availability and if yes, book over the phone and apply the upgrade in the same call
Advice needed - Award booking for the 1st time
If pax chooses to book first (an upgrade-eligible fare) then upgrade later the $300+ fare premium is essentially a lucky draw entry ticket with roughly at most a Mark Six Consolation Prize of actually clearing.