My gut feeling is that you are right. Since enhanced availability for PEs is not a published benefit, there is no way of knowing for sure.

A couple of quotes from e-mails received from the FD help desk in answer to my queries about this matter :

"As an added benefit to our Platinum and Gold Elite members, there is also an additional allocation of seats open to them for such upgrades, again on a space available basis."

"There are restrictions placed on the number of award upgrades offered, but that has not changed significantly in recent months."

"It is indeed incorrect to think that upgrades for Platinum Elite members can be taken out of the J and C buckets as this is not the case."

johan