Just for the record, at British Airways the comment SFU is usually deleted or ignored altogether. If operational upgrades are required, there are usually sufficient BA Gold or Silver cardholders or One World Alliance Emerald/Sapphires to make the required numbers.
On selected flights, an upgrade from WT to WT+ may be
purchased, but now that the recession seems to be over, we are finding that we need to offer this on fewer flights.
Prince William and his girlfriend always book economy or premium economy but always turn down the offer of an upgrade and prefer to keep things low key. Rather refreshing I think
I think Royal Protocol would consider it bad form for Prince William to accept an upgrade. As far as I am aware, members of the Royal Family always pay the properly negotiated fare with British Airways (which may or may not be discounted due to the immeasurable goodwill, publicity and tickets sales Her Majesty - God Bless Her - and her family generate for the airline on her State visits.)
As a serving soldier, I was on a number of occasions very close to members of the Royal Family while they conducted business. Of one thing I can absolutely testify - they would never take advantage of their elevated status to gain advantageous discounts or gifts. It quite simply isn't done!
Of course, as well as protecting the Royal Code of Conduct, doing the decent thing also means the gutter press have no nasty stories about tantrums being thrown by a demented diva princess being refused an upgrade, or jumping up and down screaming "Do You Know Who I Am?" Even when things go horribly wrong, most members of the Royal Family will behave with absolute charm and dignity.
For anyone who supports the anti-monarchy brigade, working closely with these lovely people will alter one's opinion.
It is the so-called and self-styled "Celebrity" - the scourge of modern life - that is most likely to buy the cheapest, non-flexible economy ticket and demand that all the stops are pulled out!