Originally Posted by Simon
To be precise, they may not necessarily be available for upgrade, or they may be, but not confirmable instantly.
In many cases, you will be placed on a waitlist, and this waitlist may clear before the day of the flight by the flight controller.
AC upgraded us from YOW to YVR four days ahead of the flight and waitlisted us onwards to NRT. When we checked in at YOW, we were given the upgrade all the way to NRT.
I was interested that we were upgraded from YOW to YVR so easily since the way I read the upgrade certificate, it was not good for H class in North America. Oh well, I'm not complaining!
My husband had the 24 hour flu on the trip so the upgrade was invaluable. He was thrilled because he was fine when he boarded in YOW, and was fine when we got off in Singapore since over 30 hours had passed. He maintains it is the best way to have the flu! I will never again travel without gravol and immodium in my carry on bag. I had had the flu 5 days prior and had both with me in case I had a relapse so I had stuff for him but that is the first time in ages I've had those kinds of meds with me when I fly (I carry a large selection of other drugs for my back pain.)
Tonight we leave Singapore on a 12 hour flight to Frankfurt in economy. Sigh... we have no upgrade certificates for Lufthansa although I'll see if I can upgrade our seats for $$$$ when I get to the airport. I'm still willing to pay the bucks for the comfort.