Ludicrous. I've had my MP address registered in SYD at times. Does that mean I'm one of 10? Bull.

I also got one without status (I was 2P, but flying on an award ticket from Mrs. PVDProf's account, it wasn't in the record). I figured it was an act of contrition for totally screwing us on the way out (long story I've told elsewhere).

I'm not sure I'd take a bet there were fewer than 10 1Ks on any given flight ex-SYD. But it may be a good op-up route nonetheless because 1) premium cabins are very expensive and 2) those who don't travel it regularly are non-elite leisure travelers. Thus, it's entirely possible that UA just can't always sell the relatively large number of C seats on the 744, while they can oversell Y, giving op-ups to even low-level elites (those of us without international upgrade instruments) and maybe even sometimes high-fare non-elites.

Well, her original post did say:

Not sure what "10 x 1ks" means, exactly though? Maybe 10x fewer than other major cities???:confused:

are you kidding, believing that there are only like a dozen 1Ks in Sydney?

Flying just one roundtrip out of Sydney to NYC with United practically earns Premier. Anyone who flies frequently from SYD is racking up miles like crazy with just a few trips per year. Sydney is a financial center with a sophisticated, traveling population, and one of only two choices of airline to get to the US. I'm betting there are tons of 1Ks.

I get op-ups all the time on SFO-LAS and DEN-MCO. :D

For international route, the easiest segment to get upgraded (Y to C) is the short Asian route to/from Hong Kong: UA895/6 (SIN) UA862/9(SGN).

However, flights between HKG and US are the most difficult flights to get upgraded.