Many, many thanks for your replies to both, this is wonderfully useful to know and I shall try. I am v easy with any outcome—from being asked to fly later to being upgraded and anything in between—so it’s funny/exciting rather than frustrating/concerning.
An additional, perhaps important data point is that there is an event that attracts fan crowds, press and high-profile individuals for which this flight would probably be one of the last sensible options to get there in time, so I was/am assuming those seats might already have a golden-thread-embroidered surname on the headrest.
Originally Posted by
rugby23
As a data point, redemption in J with a BRUV as a GGL, op-up to F overnight ahead of a 7am departure (I had selected a seat but hadn’t checked in).
In answer to your question I think there are too many variables to predict, and upgrades happen at many phases (check in opens, staff/duty travel loading overnight, airport check in, flight close) - but leaving check in till later if you have a seat reserved doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
Your best shot at a paid-upgrade is during the check-in process, which I believe you can back out of if you don’t get an offer that you like. So no harm starting check-in a few times to see what the price is like.