So currently I am gold elite (platinum in a couple of flights). Unfortunately I wont be platinum until after the flight I am enquiring about. In any case, I am traveling to vegas from Oct 6-8. I was looking on Continental.com and found the following:

Cheapest fare: $450 (O class)
H Fare: $750 (H fare)
Y Fare: $1,300 (Y fare)

My questions are, how likely is it that I would get upgraded to F on the cheapo fare or the H fare being gold?

Should I just pay the Y fare and get the elite Y upgrade or take my chances with the H or O fare?

Will H give me better chance at getting an upgrade over O?

I would get plat after the first flight of this trip but it wont register until after monday. Can I call CO to get platinum status on my return trip (for mileage and better chance at upgrade)?

Any advice would be appreciated thanks.