...I've consistently asked the GA, and been turned down all except twice. I found I've had much more success with the automatic upgrade on the high priced tickets bought through the A2B program, although even that has only been about 60%. I've even asked a few times and been told they have to sell the upgrades and they do not give them to the elites. I would love to know exactly what the official policy is. I would think a >$450 RT bought via A2B with an Elite flying would just about guarantee an upgrade, but not so.

I've not ever asked the flight crew, although that sure makes sense. On quite a few of the flights I've been on there has been space in business. However, I would feel awkward in announcing "I'm an elite" . Would showing my boarding pass, that shows Elite on it, help?

I keep hoping for a crew member to give me an upgrade on board, as FL/fa has written about doing, but no such luck yet.