Originally Posted by
exolstice
I think it does? I have 25K, requested upgrade for myself and 2 other passengers with no status (including one that has never flown AC before) on a flight from NRT to YUL, and we were numbers 1-3 on the upgrade standby list. Upgrade cleared for me at the gate (there was only one unbooked J seat). Original seat was in premium. economy.
But that's because you were in premium economy. Not because of inherited status. Check the wiki.