My status is no doubt a factor, but I've found that agents don't look to match the name on the cert with my name. Don't forget that they are confirmable at time of booking.

I've seen a couple other things happen with these:

a) When checking in for say, a 1400 mile trip, I'll ask if I can submit the 1000 mile paper upgrade and have them also deduct one 500 mile upgrade from my account. If it's not a stressed out situation, that is to say, when I've arrived early enough for an agent to do a little extra key-stroking, I've found that it can be done. Not every agent knows how to work this magic. I've only found the senior, competent types with good attitudes know how to mix paper and electronic upgrades.

b) When the above doesn't seem to work, I've had more than one agent say something like, "I can't seem to pull the e-cert out. Just forget it." In other words I get 1200 or 1400 miles from a 1000 mile upgrade. The agents seem relieved or not care. They have a bona fide paper instrument to file with their day's paperwork that supports the upgrade. So in some cases, these can turn into CR-1s. I wouldn't walk up to a PS flight and try that, but it's worked sometimes for me.

But according to the rules in print, yes, the names have to match and they are good for only 1000 miles (or maybe 1050 according to the infamous "grace" mileage on 500 mile upgrade distances).