On my last trip from PIT to IAH I tried for the first time to add a companion to the upgrade list at the 2 hour mark. The gate agents did so but placed him 9th. I asked about the order in which they upgrade and they said he'd go to the bottom. I'm a Plat. I thought at the 2 hour mark they were listed by the sponsor's status.

In SLC when I was a Silver on more than 1 occasion I walked by a Plat's upgrade companion (kids so I could tell and I saw them asking for it at the gate) in first while I sat in the back.

Does anyone know the order for sure or was the GA mistaken?