Originally Posted by
milesandmoremiles
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.
If that happens, I don't agree with that at all. If a CK is late to check-in, then they certainly shouldn't be rewarded by taking an upgrade from someone else who already rightfully at the time received. As if it's not enough to allow a CK to check-in after the published time, a benefit nobody else essentially receives, they should be told that at the point others were already upgraded and boarded and that they will have to take their assigned seat unless another seat for upgrade opens up (w/o removing someone else)