A different upgrade experience
WifeMSN and I did the following on a little 5-day weekend:
MSN-MSP-PHX-MSP-MSN
25K miles award tickets. Cost: $20 + 50K miles.
I'm PLT, wife nada.
MSN-MSP: Both upgraded at online checkin.
MSP-PHX: Put on upgrade list at checkin. #1 and #2 on list when we get to the gate. Both of us upgraded at the gate before boarding.
PHX-MSP: In 6D and 6E and the GA came on and moved us up.
MSP-MSN: #1 and #2 on the waitlist. Upgraded at the gate before boarding.