Originally Posted by
ziqch
i understand that there are no free international upgrades on any program and mostly you have to use miles from higher economy fare class to get upgrade, am i right?
Not exactly true. If you become Elite on several airlines, you do get a limited number of free "systemwide" upgrades which are usable for North America to Europe, North America to Middle East and North America to Asia.
With UA, when you hit 100K EQMs (1K), you get 6 one-way SWUs (System-wide upgrades), and earn an additional 2 SWUs for every incremental 50K EQMs. And more if you become a Million Miler.
With AA, when you hit 100K EQMs (EXP), you get 8 one-way SWUs (nee e-VIPs). And more if you hit Million Mile thresholds.
With DL, when you hit Platinum Medallion (175K), you get 6 one-way PMUs (Platinum Medallion Upgrades). You used to get additional ones for hitting higher targets; I believe these incremental PMUs no longer happen (but you do get incremental ones for hitting the 1 million miler thresholds).
US gives you two one-way "First Class/Envoy Class" certificates good between the US and Europe/Hawaii when you hit the Chairman's Preferred level (100K).
CO doesn't have a similar program.
NW doesn't, but its 2007 "Elite Extra Perks" shows them dipping their toe into the SWU waters; at 120K miles you can earn 2 SWUs, and at 160K, another pair.
Keep in mind that the rules (range of applicable fares, transerability, etc.) differ from airline to airline. DL's PMUs are only usable only on Y/B/M fares, so some members wind up not using them and hence call them "fish wrappers" or "Pretty Much Useless." On the other hand, 1Ks and EXPs are quite fond of their SWUs and those who don't use them wind up donating or trading them in CC, and there is even a lively trade in these instruments on eBay.
European programs are stingier, but some upgrades exist:
With BA, you get a "Gold Upgrade for Two" (presumably to use on a leisure trip with a spouse/significant other) once you hit 2500 Tier Points and again when you hit 3500.
With LH, you get 6 eVouchers once you qualify for the super-elite HON Circle.
So if i am primarily interested in itenrational upgrades going to asia using miles? what would be my best bet? also does being an elite make any difference?
Quae vide above. Yes, being elite makes a difference because you can earn and use SWUs. You have higher priority when standing by for an award (in some cases, you
have to be elite for standing by for certain mileage awards). You may have access to more "award" inventory than general members. You are more likely to have an agent accommodate you with an upgrade in certain other circumstances. By all means, do it.
I think UA and AA give you your best options for upgrades to Asia using SWUs. Many, but not all, fares are upgradable with SWUs, including some reasonably-priced, restrictive, fares. You have lots of inventory in their 3-cabin aircraft.
If you fly regularly to Asia, well overshooting the 100K level, then UA is your best bet. Especially if you fly B fares which earn you 150% EQMs. In that case, a round trip from East Coast to, say, Singapore, earns you over 30,000 miles. And since you earn two incremental SWUs every 50K miles, if you do this commute monthly, then you'll pretty much get upgraded (space available of course, that's where being 1K is good) all the time. And if you do manage to run out of SWUs, you can use miles in the 4 highest fare classes to upgrade.