IIRC, the Elite One-Way Space Available Upgrade coupons did not upgrade at ticketing. Back then, only Golds, which were the top elite level, got free upgrades and then only at airport check-in. I think they were called two-hour space available upgrades. The upgrade coupons gave the same two-hour upgrades upgrades to silver and bronze elites.

Those were the days. I had a >98% upgrade rate '95 - '98