The problem is that with our last many eastbound trips, by the time we reach the SK gate or lounge due to our connecing flights, all the possible upgrades have been given away and the GA will not even entertain the thought of holding our boarding passes for an upgrade.

And I'm not asking for op-ups, but offering to pay points, and still being turned down cold.

Obviously, the option to request and confirm a points upgrade in advance would be ideal.

In lieu of that, I wondered if a connection from IAD would have a better chance of being able to upgrade with points at the gate/lounge than EWR/ORD since flights from those gateways are always packed and perhaps have more EBGs.

Susan