JAL upgrade
 

I doubt anyone will know this...

I am flying HKG-NRT-SAP on JAL tomorrow. I am CP Exec Plat (Oneworld Emerald). Any chance for upgrade to J class? I am sure they've booked me in the lowest fare class.

JAL hardly overbooks flights. Their seat control technique is an art. But I did have an operational upgrade once on NRTBKK. They seem to take account of your attire and the agent seems to have a considerable authoritiy in giving you an upgrade. Not automatic according to elite statsu unlike U.S. airlines. This is an impression I got from what I experienced and what I heard from friends. Anecdoal, that is. Good luck.

My father has JAL Global Club status and has actually received MANY operational upgrades this year, from Y to Business. He frequents the ORD-NRT route, which operates only once daily, with 747-400s configured with mostly premium seats (Y only in the last section of the main deck and 60 seats on the upper deck). As such, coach is often slightly overbooked. Thus it would seem that operational upgrades ARE given according to elite status.