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If you’re us based, accelerating United status and leveraging plus points will be your best bet. Even then, it’s hardly free
You will not get consistent free international upgrades (unless you mean Canada / Mexico, in which case sure) unless you are into invite only status level for US airlines (i.e., spending $50-100k+ per year). The top published tier will get you occasional upgrades to pods at something more like a $25k spend, but that’s more variable.
With that said, some airlines give you “coupons” of a sort that you can use on international upgrades, if there is space, and if you can get to the top published status tier. If you’re going to be in that boat, Delta or United would be your best bet - Global Upgrade Credits (GUCs for Delta and Plus Points for United. Each of them give you enough credits to upgrade ~2-3 round trip international flights from economy to business (pods).
AA’s SWUs are probably the best in my 15ish years as an exec platinum ive never not had them clear on probably 20 or so international flights.
Free upgrades, are very rare. You need pretty high status to be considered. So you’ll need to spend a ton of money to get there, if you’re doing a consistent long haul somewhere just pick that airline
I mean these coupons/points for upgrades, not automatic updates. Which one is easier to get? AA, United or delta?
In general no airline gives free upgrades on international long haul. Occasionally they happen “operationally” if the back of the plane is oversold AND there are empty seats in the front. But extremely rare.
People in the highest status tiers typically get instruments/ certificates they can use to get long haul international upgrades and of course the higher the status the higher the priority.
Whether or not these certificates clear depends on what airports you fly out of, the routes, the fare class you paid for, and when you’re flying.
For example summertime upgrades to Europe from a U.S. hub, especially on or around weekends or holidays, are hard to get.
I’m with United and have had pretty good success getting Plus Points upgrades to clear for me and my family on international long haul but it’s certainly not 100%. They’re also relatively easy to earn.
How often are you flying international long hauls? If once or twice a year, it probably just makes sense to buy the upgrade.
Otherwise you're looking at developing status with a domestic carrier. I'm partial to Delta, and you can get to Diamond status without flying by putting $250k on their Reserve Amex, by spending $25k on flights (or Delta Vacation packages), or a combination of the two. Diamond plus the Reserve puts you first in line for upgrades on the international flights and gives you a selection of Choice Benefits, one of which is Global Upgrade Certificates.