This question is along the same line. I went from Silver to Dirt this year. I am trying to book a flight using miles to upgrade. I have done this same flight EWR to SFO for the last two years and at the time I purchased my ticket I upgraded with miles. No problem.

This time I was informed that I had to purchase a B, H or V (?) ticket to be able to upgrade. I purchased the B class ticket but could not upgrade at the time.

I have called Continental every day since and each day they have told me the same thing, no upgrade with miles seats available. "April is a very busy month."

I guess it wasn't busy in 2001 or 2002

Any suggestions?