Originally Posted by jpaschel
Do complimentary upgrades include Mexico?
Yes.
How do partner upgrade requests work?
Do you mean partner airlines or travel companions?
Upgrades are automatic on NW and CO metal as long as there are no non-elites on the same PNR. On AS metal, you'll need a coupon that's provided on request to NW golds and plats.
Companion upgrades for NW Golds are handled at the airport. When you arrive, the NW Gold member hands both his/her BP and his/her travel companion's BP (regardless of whether the two are travelling on the same PNR) to an agent, and the agent either upgrades them if there are seats, or adds him/her/them to the waitlist.
Companion upgrades for NW Plats work the same way, except that if only the Plat + 1 companion are on the same PNR, the companion is eligible for the same 5-day advance automatic upgrade as the Plat.
If high-end coach fares are upgradeable at time of ticketing, which fare classes are included? (i.e. is it just Y or does this extend to YBM?)
It only applies to Y, and only to elites (not companions).
Do WP upgrades work as well on Continental (i.e. is the success percentage the same for WP members on NWA and Continental? I can't believe it would be..)
NW and CO elite upgrades are completely reciprocal. But CO has more elites and fewer FC seats, so the success rate on NW metal is much better for both NW and CO elites.
The short story is what is your best advice for trying to upgrade travel from SEA to ZIH ??
Best chance for flying up front = buy FC tickets. Second best chance = have your friend try to upgrade you both with miles. Third best chance = have your friend upgrade you with miles, and roll the dice that he'll get the Gold upgrade (he probably will). Fourth best chance = book on separate records, hope that he gets the Gold elite upgrade, and that there's still a seat available for you to get a companion upgrade.