Originally Posted by
Awtas
I don't really understand that...
It's nothing new that upgrades are not processed as it's been all the time like this.
Upgrade window opens up based on the status, but it doesn't mean that upgrades will be processed at all.
Basically what CO is saying that your upgrade might be processed somewhere between -xx hours till the departure and actual departure.
So long as EUA has the sort of opaqueness and mystery that it currently has, we're going to continue to see posters confused like the poster to which you replied. It's actually going to get worse when we move to CO's systems and the EUA methodology takes precedence if they don't fix it ahead of time. The UA upgrade system is simpler and has more visibility into it, and it does not have the same sort of caveats and nuances.
The sweep mechanism creates this sort of anomaly where you could be inside your window, with upgrade space available, yet not be upgraded. If you understand a little about this stuff, but don't understand the design of the system end to end, that is going to be confusing. Another part that will be confusing is the multiple upgrade lists (e.g., B-Up is available but my V fare is not clearing).
Yet another part that's going to be confusing is the competing upgrade lists, with the airport upgrade list being visible but EUA using a different ordering scheme even while at the gate is going to ruffle some feathers when people see #2 get upgraded above #1. UA's gate displays may provide more visibility into this nuance and draw attention to it.
This all assumes they use EUA as we know it and don't fix these issues before they move the UA folks over. I wonder how much CO spends in calls each year with Elite customers calling in inside their window about upgrade space being open but their upgrade not clearing.