Originally Posted by
flyer215
EDIT: And this even means that seeing RN > 0 *at booking* might not mean an instant upgrade... if the upgrade process is choked on an out-of-sync ticket where someone of >= status/fare is waitlisted on an instrument already.
With the new Continental website interface I found that one can book an upgrade using miles right with the actual ticket purchase.
At the bottom of the "Advanced Search" reservation screen is a box that can be checked that says "Mileage Plus Upgrade Award." When this box is checked the results page shows the number of miles required for any route where R/RN>0. So when you select that itinerary you are purchasing the mileage upgrade with it.
I was able to select a roundtrip international itinerary with mileage upgrades instantaneously. I even held the reservation for 7 days before paying for the ticket. The upgrades and prices were all held for the 7 days. So even when R/RN went back to zero for some of the flights I kept my upgrade.
This is a feature of the new system that I will find useful. And it basically says that if the system is offering the upgrade to you then you can get it instantly upon purchase - no waiting for a sweep of other passengers to process before you.