Using *A miles to upgrade Air New Zealand flights

[devastor]

I want to fly Air New Zealand from Houston (IAH) to Auckland (AKL). I would like to buy my tickets directly from Air New Zealand and use my *A miles (possibly CO) to upgrade my economy ticket to business class so I can sit next to Peter Jackson or Evangeline Lilly. Is this possible? I would also settle for upgrading my economy ticket to a skycouch, but I have seen other threads and it looks like this isn't possible.

Help me Obi-DAN Kenobi, you’re my only hope.

[devastor]

anyone?

[Dan]

Generally you can only use the miles of the operating carrier (in your case NZ miles) to upgrade unless you are on a very expensive full-fare ticket.