Originally Posted by yogimax
What determines the rank of those on a first class upgrade wait list? I have been told various stories by employees, the two most common being...
1. time of check in
2. some unknown ranking policy known only by the computer
Does anyone know the real story?
As others have stated, no one outside of the NW Team who manages the upgrade process knows the real story. But based on past experience with what we call "Battlefield Upgrades" or "The Gate Lottery" (upgrades you have to wait to receive at the gate just prior to departure)... my guess as to "the magic formula" would be a pecking order something like this:
1 & 2) Plat Full Fare PAX + Full Fare Companion (If Applicable)
3 & 4) Gold Full Fare PAX + Full Fare Companion (If Applicable)
5) Silver Full Fare PAX
7 & 8) Plat PAX (ordered by discount fare paid, then earliest booked flight, then earliest checked in @ 24 hours) + Companion (If Applicable)
9 & 10) Gold PAX (ordered by discount fare paid, then earliest booked flight, then earliest checked in @ 24 hours) + Companion (If Applicable)
11) Silver PAX (ordered by discount fare paid, then earliest booked flight, then earliest checked in @ 24 hours)
This is my guess as to the formula.
Other criteria that NW might be considering is lifetime miles, and your seniority date on the WP program -- but my guess is that they use the other criteria (fare, date booked, and check-in time) first.
-A