tale

Hi when flying with LH and Austrian transatlantic (nyc muc) what are my upgrade options

Miles: how much and from which account
Status: Does status make a difference (is it better to have a status with the airline directly, or *aliance is enough)
Friends: I have a *senator friend can he help
Money on board: I remember taking a flight on Austrian and thy have an on board option to upgrade, is this still available and is it just on Austrian or both LH Austrian?
Money on the ground : what is the process of paying for an upgrade

Thanks
Tale