Originally Posted by
golfingboy
All evidence thus far has pointed to R space opening up before C space. Therefore, those requesting complimentary upgrades will clear first.
For SWUs, it is elite status sorted by timestamp (sponsored customers do not inherit elite status if they are not on the same PNR as the elite customer - although word is that it is supposed to change at some point).
I had a flight last Saturday and I found this to be true. I was trying to burn a SWU but my upgrade cleared at 72 hours. Even though I had already cleared with my UDU I was still on the upgrade list at the airport with my SWU but I was number 7 on the list.
The day before this flight I had waitlisted my wife and son(both no status) with SWU's and they were at the bottom of the upgrade list.