I agree about the upgrades. I get upgraded much more ex DXB or LHR/LGW than ex KHI/MCT/FRA etc
Upgrades tend to be a mix of luck and status, so if there are two Gold members on a flight and only 1 J seat available for opup, the one that checks in first could get it, the one that checks in last could get it, or even a silver member could get it
Cheers