Not exactly ... you should read the links posted earlier to co.com. The only upgrades which happen at purchase are "yup" ... if you purchase a full fare coach ticket (domestic) and there are first class seats available you can upgrade immediately (but you have to call and ask or click the upgrade button at co.com while viewing your itinerary - after purchase. Other upgrades are based on elite level, fare class and may happen in advance of the flight - 1 to 5 days depending on status, or at checkin or after checking - again depending on fare class and status.

International upgrades require miles and possibly $$ depending on fare class and destination (search on HOKEY). To Hawaii - let's call it pseudo-international - you can also purchase a revenue upgrade - see "revup."

Disclaimer - all of the upgrades noted above are space-available. As a silver I haven't had a upgrade in about 2 years (and that one was using miles). I am fortunate to have mananaged on a couple of flights to have an empty middle seat or exit row. At least for me, I'd guess that the flights I've been on have been at or near capacity - no more than 4 or 5 empty seats - most flights totally booked, including F. I have managed y-up a couple of times... however the first trip was rescheduled and the second probably will be . I was able to snag an upgrade & Std BF award travel to ogg next week. I would not have been able to access those tickets without elite status.