Originally Posted by
iahphx
Whether it makes sense or not -- and lots of the upgrade rules don't make much sense to me, like how companions can trump elites -- that's what the "official rules" clearly state. If that's not the ACTUAL rule, it should be re-written so elites know exactly what their status is and is not worth. ...
United.com states
The following is the order of priority, within five days, on flights that are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades:
Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares: Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance, sorted by fare class, then Premier status
All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades, and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Sorted by Premier status of the redeeming account, then fare class and time of request
All remaining Premier members using Complimentary Premier Upgrades**: Sorted by Premier status, then fare class and award travel***
Priority within 24 hours
New waitlist requests for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Regional Premier Upgrades, and Global Premier Upgrades can be made until 24 hours prior to departure. At 24 hours from departure, waitlists will expire and automatic processing of upgrades, per the priority listed above, will continue. As customers check in, they will be placed on an airport upgrade standby list. This standby list will clear after check-in is closed, and is based on Premier status and fare class.
....
In addition, one companion traveling on the same reservation as a Premier member is also eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on select flights, and may be confirmed with the same priority as the Premier member, even on the day of departure. This benefit does not apply to companions traveling on award tickets.
What do you think is missing?
Originally Posted by
iahphx
.... Well, from previous experience, that's not true either. On a flight last month, I checked in about 22 hours before the flight and was about 6th on the upgrade list. To my surprise, I was automatically upgraded in advance (not at the airport) on a CPU in front of other pax on the list who had already checked in earlier (presumably based on the criteria of the "5-day list"). So how would that be possible under your theory?
The "pre-gate" list (including CPU as you cross the time windows) clearing continues until close to flight time (rough observation supports until 3 maybe 2 hours prior to departure -- so folks on the gate list will appear to clear out of order). So while you can see the gate list, the other list is still active. The gate list should just be used in the last half hour or so.