I probably skipped the upgrade queue by doing this, and it wasn't completely intentional. As a Gold and seeing only F3 on a PHL-PHX flight(#1197 with Envoy seating) over a week away, I selected 24C exit row and resigned myself to no upgrade. But I did set an EF alert to let me know if a seat in the "I" fare bucket(awards and mileage upgrades) opened up so I could call in and burn 10000 points.

As F went to 0 in the final days before the flight I gave up hope, considering the theme of this thread that the route is among the toughest upgrades for even a CP. But 24C is perfectly fine.

At 2am on the day of the flight (scheduled 150pm), I was still awake and got an EF alert of an opening. It was the only F seat for sale. I called and asked the agent to upgrade me for 10000 points. She said that the seat was indeed available to upgrade but then said I could do it for free since Im Gold. So, she processed it and my online reservation immediately showed me in "O". I had the choice of 1A or 2F, which I guess indicated someone else didn't have an assigned seat.

How many Plats and CP's did I just bump? I figure I must have called in before the next elite upgrade sweep. Or since the trip was within 24 hours, do any more sweeps even occur at all rather than having the airport staff process elite upgrades?

I don't feel I cheated the elite auto upgrade queue though because I was prepared to hand over 10000 points. I just lucked out that the agent moved me up for free. IOW, I had legitimate intentions with my upgrade method.

But Is it odd that, when just one F seat became available 12 hours prior to flight, the seat would be available in all the premium fare buckets (sell, award, mile upgrade and elite upgrade)?