I share the OP’s frustration with the BF upgrade process. I am flying from Berlin to EWR on Jan 13. BF is wide open. I am trying to upgrade with miles and a $450 fee. I have called twice to see what is going on and both times I get a very nebulous answer. I am a 100K+ platinum member and most times pay for BF but could not on this particular trip due to a quirky corp. travel policy.

It is anyone’s guess if I will be upgraded, but I must say if would really piss me off if a bunch of sales coupon holders got upgraded at the gate.