fare class

Several questions (and thank you for your help!)
1. When I book a ticket for someone else am I allowed to use my miles for that ticket's upgrade?
2. How do I know which class my on-line booking is netting me? There seems to be no way to know this prior to purchasing the ticket. It would make sense that Y and L are for a full fare (flexible) but I have several times received those with lowest bookings--yet always get W when booking premium economy, despite the lowest fare search request.
3. If I book a regular ticket several months in advance and there is a good offer in the interim before travel, is there anything I can do to access that better fare?
4.Any sense of how the "random" upgrades are done at the terminal? The computers seem to be programmed to fit a certain profile. I never know if it is worth it to book a full ticket or take a chance at the airport on an upgrade (have been very fortunate in this as of late!).

Thanks very, very much

[RichardMannion]

Hi Squibber,

1. Yes - I have used miles before to upgrade other people, just like I have far too often used my miles to book reward flights for my family or friends.....

2. Where are you booking? Some websites will tell you, On Expedia if its not a special fare highlighted in yellow, click on 'Rules and Restrictions' and it will show the fare basis. On the Vs website, they were meant to be implementing this, they got halfway there, where at the price screen it will show you how many miles you will earn.

3. No, unless you have a fully refundable ticket Y,W or J. Even then, it does take time for the refund to come through.

4. Its not the computers, nor is it random. They will do a pull before the flight opens for check-in to see the loads for the day, if its oversold and who is flying in terms of status (Gold, Silver, Red etc.) Most of this data is then put on a sheet that each check-in agent will get a copy of, it will mainly consist of the Gold's travelling and perhaps the Silvers, and who is best placed for an upgrade if the need arises.

Hopefully this answers your questions, let me know if not.

Thanks,
Richard