Op Up for Redemption ticket
 

Sorry if this has been answered already, I searched but could not find a relevant post.
I have bought a flex plus Y ticket using my skyward miles. From a op up perspective, does it count the same as if I had paid for it? Or the system give preference to paid customers.

You wouldn't be entitled to an upgrade on an award ticket

As an op up? Or upgrade using miles
For this trip I bought Y Flex Plus using skywards redemption and then upgraded using miles to J (cheaper than buying J using miles). All done online. I called for some changes and the agent helped me with some potential changes as well.
It does say I cannot pay for an upgrade using money.

That seems unusual. I quickly checked my 'usual' itinerary and on that one buying J with miles costs (about 10%) fewer miles than redemption plus miles upgrade. Was your redemption a special offer?

As an opup definitely not. Using miles not by the rule book but YMMV at the airport or onboard.

I booked a long time back so I cant recall the exact calculations- but what you say maybe right- it might have been the money I had to pay which was much higher if I book J vs book Y and upgrade.

As Plat had a Y plus ticket last year that I had upgraded to J with miles. At the gate I was op-upped from J to F. I do realize this was not a straightforward award ticket type, but would nevertheless suggest to me that op-upping an award ticket is not out of the question either.

Hope persists. Flying this weekend.