I am signed up for Easy Update, and it works great for domestic upgrades. But my experience with international upgrades is that, if one checks on-line, at some point the status will change to "KL -- call reservations" or something like that. On those ocassions, I haven't received any Easy Update notification. And, further, I am told that if one doesn't affirmatively call to "confirm" the upgrade once it goes "KL," then one loses the upgrade.

As far as OCD goes, I think the DSM needs an entirely new diagnosis for Frequent Flier Mania, with a subdiagnosis for Obsessive Upgrade Checking (OUC).

The thought of missing out on hot-towel service distresses me, even sitting here at my desk...

When it goes KL I call so that I can get my choice of the available seats. I don't think you will lose the UG if you don't call. But I don't know for sure since I always call. (I have the disease too!)

Actually, sfolawyer, there is a catagory and diagnosis for the Frequent Flier Mania that you describe---
It's called "Obsessive Upgrade Checking Hopeful's"!!!
It's more commonly known as---"OUCH", !!! ;)