I'm finding the best way to get around CO's idiotic EUA lottery is to book flights on NW.
So far this year, I'm 5 for 8 upgrading on CO segments (2 at the airport), which includes a 6:45 stint in Y EWR-SJC.

On NW, I'm 8 for 8, ALL EUA. On my last trip, I companion upgraded my wife on a reward ticket even.

I don't get an email from NW, but then again I've stopped getting emails from CO, too.

WMH

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Just to add to your experience with NW, I have 45k in Elite Mileage this year due to a couple of Transoceanic(sic) with only 2k or so on CO domestic flights. I have been voting with my feet.

But anyway, I arrived at BKK late for the flight to NRT to find that my 2J had been given away (which is well within their right). I asked at the check-in counter for the seat back. The agent said seats had already been released to the gate and to hurry myself over there for boarding. Requested the original seat again at the counter or any seat in the nose (Premium seating area) of the 747-400. The gate agent said WBC cabin was full.

That's when the Gate Supervisor overheard and said wait a minute, stand over here for a second. After a few minutes she personally escorted me onboard asked me to wait in the galley, and arrived back in 1 minute to inform me that 2J was ready for me.

Upon landing the FA was giving coats back, and as I looked up I couldn't help but feel a little payback (for FT's who sit in coach as employee non-revs occupy the good seats) when I looked up to see a nice leather bomber jacket with a huge Continental Logo on the inner-lining of the Jacket belonging to the person originally seated in 2J.

Think this ever would have happened on a CO operated flight.....I don't think so. NW does seem to treat me better as a CO Platinum than CO does.