Originally Posted by
outwrdbound
Wouldn't a CK also bump out an EXP regardless of time of request? I was #1 on the list and upgraded as boarding began on IAH-DFW last Thursday. Toward the end of boarding, the FA comes over to me and hands me a BP for 9C, she apologized but said that they had a late check-in but the other PAX was a CK member so they allowed them on the flight and gave them my F seat. I thought it was strange, but its such a short flight so I didn't argue. 9B was unoccupied and the F FA took great care of me during the flight, but I did find it interesting that the check-in cutoffs didn't apply to a CK. After taking 9C, I looked at the UG list and sure enough, I was #2 and the CK who took my F seat was #1.
CK does not give priority on the upgrade list. For upgrade priority, they are treated like any other EXP.
This is what I'm willing to be happened in your case:
1) CK presented themselves for check in past the cut off and after your upgrade was processed.
2) Once the CK was checked in they would be moved to the airport upgrade list (if not already upgraded) and they'd fall wherever they'd fall based on their upgrade request time stamp. In this case, the CK most likely had an earlier upgrade request than you so they went to #1 and you moved to #2.
3) Airport agents saw this and figured it would be easier to move you and upgrade the CK, rather than upset what they'd perceive to be a higher value customer than an EXP by saying the upgrades weren't available.