Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 10,117
For international mileage upgrades, any time I have cleared it has been automatic
On the domestic side, I only do it on transcons, and I haven't automatically cleared in years. Any time I do it's with a bit of insistence at the airport to ensure I'm properly on the upgrade standby list in light of my requested upgrade.