I flew yesterday with another plat in same res, both N fares (award) MEM>DCA. I do NOT have Reserve card, my companion does, and this is listed on his SM account at dl.com. Did not get UG per current SM rules (never missed an UG on NW when flying award tix as WP elite!...) and boarded with Y. Apparently a F pax misconnected and the GA boarded and told the lead FA to move the first person on her list forward. She approached ME first, and I declined as I was already settled in and seated in A320 seat 11C (the best y seat). She then asked the #2 person on her list, which was my companion, booked in the same res with same fare situation. He declined for the same reason, so she moved on to #3 (a gold SM member). Question #1: Why were we #1 and #2 when we "can't" be UG'd on N fares? Question #2: Why was I #1 on the list when I do NOT have a reseerve card and my companion DOES?