I agree totally! I have redeemed 3-4 SS awards to Europe every year for the last 8 years, and more often than not, cannot secure BE or 1st on the domestic leg (if there is one). 90 % of the time, however, the family clears to FC for the domestic leg well before the typical PM 5-day upgrade window. One of our family's funny travel memories is the time that only 3 of us cleared, and Ms. Crimsonhoo and the children sat in 1st on the domestic connecting flight, while I -- being the martyr -- took the one coach seat. My wife had a great FA in FC bringing me drinks to the back of the coach cabin. My philosophy, like Flying Duck's, is to secure the over-the-water BE seats, and take your chances on any domestic connecting flights.