Originally Posted by
Shareholder
Unless this is a relatively new routine, one's status at the time of booking is what is stored and this does not change automatically if your status changes between booking and flying. The practice if you've upped a tier or more is to retrieve any bookings made before the status upgrade, remove your FF number, store the booking, then retrieve it again and put your number back in. That will ensure your current status is reflected. You'd be advised to still do this if you plan to upgrade since your window may open sooner with the new status.
I agree with this. It's important to know that the PNR is stored in RES III (reservations system) and the airport ops are run by the DCS module (which is an airport ops system which pulls PNR data - but also pulls frequent flyer status from a separate routine.
If you wanted to upgrade several before your flight - it would be advisable to ensure the PNR has the correct status as the upgrade is likely being requested in the PNR (and not in DCS at the airport). - However - the status on your boarding pass is always determined by DCS which pulls names approx. 48 hours out from departure and adds the status at that time. IF you are looking to do an upgrade 6-7 days in advance - it may (probably) work based on what is in the PNR and was based on booking.