Thank you everyone for the advice. December 2000, I checked in at LHR for a Virgin flight with a CO ticket and was told that I was moved to UC as a thank you from CO. (they just remodled) I still don't know why they did it for me. I freqently travel to Japan on CO in BF, but was very impressed with the Virgin service and think that if I can't get an upgrade for a trip where my company will not pay for the upgrade and I can't use miles, it is better to be in Virgin economy instead of the 777 with only 3 movies. I see now that the key is to buy my ticket within the 30 day window, but my problem is that my company usually wants the cheapest fare for me and my colleagues which is usually the 21 day apex right? As for any chance of an upgrade this trip-- the CO elite line told me not a chance on the outbound since only 2 revenue seats left-- better to try on the return. But there are upgradeable seats available 2 days earlier-- which doesnt do me any good.