Then again, FF program rewards are well documented and op-ups are not officially part of these rewards (for Skywards).

The airline uses them to it's advantage, and if a first time user is likely to be influenced as mentioned by Havoc10G above, then, as an airline, I'd be tempted to use them there if it suited.

The risk is pissing off your existing FF flyers who may not like it. As an airline you may also want to think about which one is better - a bird in hand or two in the...

In most cases the FF won't even know if a non status pax has been upgraded (or any pax for that matter) so no need to be upset.

We on FT are a bit unusual.

You probably don't realize the number of folks who keep monitoring the 'beep' at the BP scan m/c, and keep a watch on who all are getting new BPs ;)

OpUp - any difference in how you check-in?
 

My point was a random element so although clearly a bias towards the FF a chance for others to get the upgrade. I agree with ft101 not officially part of programme and as a strategy for EK might have some commercial sense.