Should we use OLCI ?

We are jetting of tomorrow to India. We are booked in PE and have selected window and aisle seats in row 19.
I have enough miles for UC upgrades for us both, and we are going to ask at the airport, although it looks like UC is nearly full so we are not hopeful.
Also the aircraft has changed this week from UCS back to the old seats [:(!]Must edit my signature below !

Is it worth checking in online ? Will this stop us doing an upgrade with miles ? If we don't use OLCI do we risk losing our great seats in PE ?
We are planning to be at the airport by 5.30pm , which is 3.5 hours before we depart, so am hoping we have left enough time.

Thanks for all your responses to my many posts over the last couple of months while planning our holiday. Will post a TR on our return.

L2H

If you use OLCI, you can bag the seats you want. Although it is no guarantee, you stand a very good chance of getting your choice. If you find there is a queue at the DIY bag drop, you can still use the normal PE check in, if the queue is shorter there.

You can still enquire at the airport about upgrading, the fact that you have done OLCI makes no difference. Just one thing, have you rung FClub today or very recently. Depending on the loadings they may be willing to release some reward seats at the front, especially if you are flying within 24 hours. It may come to nothing, but perhaps worth that quick call. At least that way you could go to bed tonight full of antisipation of your upper class flight.

FWIW, I prefer the J2000 seats on a day flight. I find it is better for talking to your partner, and the cabin feels less crampped. The UCS is great, but enjoyed best on night flights IMHO.