Here's an old thread ("Upgrade Tales") that may be interesting reading...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000023.html

I have been upgraded more times than I can remember just for being at the right place at the right time. Here is my trick. I walk up to the counter when there is a small lull in the crowd. I offer to give up my seat if the flight is oversold. The agent keeps my boarding pass for a while and usually upgrades me and gives my coach seat away. I have also been given cash, tickets, and vouchers for giving up my seat. When I do get on a different flight, I am usually upgraded.

Now, I just use my elite status to get upgraded. I have never used my miles for an upgrade.

I don't know if it was an upgrade or I inavertedly paid for it (This was 1991) but on B-A somehow I ended up in business class both ways EWR-LHN-EWR.

Or it was very nice coach class because the food was excellent, great service, comfortable seats (I think it was a three class airplane.)

Otherwise: unless I am lucky to have a generous friend who will try ot get me an upgrade (like my Friend NJDAVID!) I never was upgraded if I am not elite.

Merry and Baobab... please correct me if I'm wrong on the B-A story. Things are blurry after nine years!

Ok, so when you are using status for upgrade is it guaranteed at time of booking or 48 hours, 24 hours or at time of check-in?

While my Alaska coupons allow for upgrading at time of ticketing, my Northwest status has time limitations on First Class upgrades. I am not willing to accept the uncertainty of not knowing beforehand whether or not we could be stuck in coach, so we always buy coach tickets (dictated by corporate policy) and upgrade with miles.

Are there some other tricks I am missing, or are upgrade strategies just a matter of style and preference?

I have given my "Y" seat up at the last second, while inside the plane, almost ready to take off. As soon as I got up, and grabbed my bag from the over-head compartment and started to walk off the plane, the steward said, "No, we've got a seat for you..." and escorted me to first. Since this was a NYC to SFO, the upgrade was most welcome.

NEVER underestimate the power of generosity!

Also, of course you're not suppose to do this and I certainly don't recommend it, or condone it, but I have in the past, sat down in First and began conversing with a fellow passengers and ended up flying the whole trip in first (lax--->bankok and return) and others. But again, unless you're willing to accept the consequences, I wouldn't do this if I were you.

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g'day

I have given my "Y" seat up at the last second, while inside the plane, almost ready to take off. As soon as I got up, and grabbed my bag from the over-head compartment and started to walk off the plane, the steward said, "No, we've got a seat for you..." and escorted me to first. Since this was a NYC to SFO, the upgrade was most welcome.

NEVER underestimate the power of generosity!

Also, of course you're not suppose to do this and I certainly don't recommend it, or condone it, but I have in the past, sat down in First and began conversing with a fellow passengers and ended up flying the whole trip in first (lax--->bankok and return) and others. But again, unless you're willing to accept the consequences, I wouldn't do this if I were you.

------------------
g'day

Was that (the LAX-BKK) some time ago? What with the computerized manifests and all these days, I wonder whether it would still work. Of course, if one had some Swiss or Belgian chocolate with which to ingratiate oneself with the FA, I suppose many things are possible. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif