According to the reverse calendar tool, I will need to book flights for travel on 3/27/06 from msy to hnl on April 30. To get front of the bus, I'll either have to buy an upgradable fare or get a mileage award ticket.

1. Should I try to do this online or would I be better off calling (I'm lowly Silver)?

2. Do I have to use miles to upgrade this far in advance or will they confirm a status upgrade? By confirm, I mean they promise not to take it back if there's a schedule change.

3. Would you recommend (over the above options) using my Skymiles to get an award ticket on CO? Since DL doesn't have BE to Hawaii, I've heard that CO is a much comfier way to go...54" pitch vs. 39" on DL first class.

4. Am I going to have to stay up till midnight to do this or will next day be soon enough? We're leaving on a Monday and returning on a Friday.

This is a business meeting so the dates are pretty much inflexable.