So Monday, I flew the flights that pushed me over 75K miles into Platinum-land (the double miles promotion only pushed up that date for me -- I have six itineraries already booked and I'll hit 100 segments on 10/20 as well).

Today, as expected, the miles posted and my account summary has me listed as a PE. Hooray for me.

So, after taking in all the details here at FT, I call the elite line to have them swap out my Gold number and enter my Platinum number. The woman who answered the phone (very knowledgable and friendly) told me that her computer still shows me as a GE and that this particular system wouldn't update until tonight, best that she could tell. She told me to call back tomorrow.

Interesting -- my Account Summary says Platinum, yet the front page (nwa.com) shows my updated mileage yet still has me as a "Gold Member."

Must be two different computers, although I find it strange that an update seems to be a batch run when it wouldn't be hard to update this in real life.

Doesn't matter -- I missed out on upgrades on my return tomorrow anyway. Wonder if when those computers are updated tomorrow and after I call they'll notice I'm a PE sitting in coach and I'll get the bonus miles...

Does anyone have any definite info on how this whole process works? I'd hate to call back day after day to get existing reservations updated. It's a shame that this doesn't happen automatically -- and I'm glad that FT has let me know I need to make this call.

(BTW, I think I am a good example of a "good comp." I was a mid-tier elite with AA, sick of flying through ORD. I called NW, they comped me to Gold for 2005 and I've now earned Platinum and send almost all of my business to NW)