So heres the story:

Traveling from DFW to EWR my friend (non-elite, A Fare) and I (platinum elite, B fare) on the 5:45 PM, made it to the airport early enough to catch the 3:15 flight.

I ask for an upgrade and nothing is available, fully booked but one person is not checked in. We both get coach tickets and I am first on the wait list.

We go to the the gate and the agent says that since my friend had an A class he gets preference over me and gives him the first seat. How is that possible? Can someone explain how a non-elite with an A class on a previous ticket, gets ahead of a platinum elite on a full fare coach ticket? We were both in economy on the 3:15 flight. Should I complain or is the the new procedure (as of a week ago as the gate agent clearly pointed out).