FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - When a revenue flight shows upgrade available ...
Old Mar 23, 2017, 1:09 pm
  #3  
MSPeconomist
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,334
How soon is the flight? If you're expecting an upgrade to FC months in advance on a deep discount ticket, it won't happen on DL and would not happen to a 1K on UA either.

Available just means that the upgrade inventory is currently greater than zero, i.e. OU > 0 for business class and RU > 0 for FC (or WU > 0 for C+ if you call that an upgrade). You won't be upgraded before your window opens and upgrade inventory must be available at that time. On "domestic" flights, all fare classes except E are eligible for free elite upgrades while on all flights, instrument supported upgrade require different inventory classes, namely OP, RP (and presumably WP but most elites wouldn't waste upgrade instruments just to get C+).

OTOH for C+ "upgrades", they tend to clear a few minutes after ticketing if WU > 0 for DM and IIRC also for PM.
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