1. Presidential Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver on a Y fares are upgraded, assuming space, at time of ticketing
2. Presidential Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver on a B fares are upgraded, assuming space, at time of ticketing
3. Presidential Platinum --> Platinum --> Gold --> Silver --> Non-Elite Passengers holding unconfirmed mileage upgrades starting 5 days before flight
4. Presidential Platinums starting 6 days before the flight; Presidential Platinums are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
5. Platinums starting 5 days before flight if all eligible Presidential Platinums have already been upgraded; Platinums are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
6. Golds, starting 3 days before flight if all eligible Platinums have already been upgraded; Golds are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)
7. Silver, starting one day before flight if all eligible Platinums and Golds have already been upgraded; Silvers are upgraded according the the fare class hierarchy (M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N, L)

To resolve any same elite level/same fare class tie, preference is given based on the time of ticket purchase, with the earliest purchase given priority.

For upgrades at the airport please see: Upgrade Hierarchy for Battle Field Upgrades

Prior to departure there are several specific windows during which a potential EUA will be processed. These are based on elite status and fare class booked as reported:

• 144 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum only
• 120 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum & Platinum only
• 96 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum & Platinum only
• 72 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum & Gold only
• 48 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum & Gold only
• 24 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum, Gold & Silver
• 3 hours before scheduled departure time: Presidential Platinum, Platinum, Gold & Silver

If your Elite status changes after you make your reservation and you remove and re-add your account number, your reservation will reflect the correct status. But if you do not do that this is how your upgrade will be handled by the Elite Upgrade Automation (EUA) and at check-in as reported here:

• Non-Elite turns Elite. EUA will not recognize for an advance upgrade, and upgrade will not be offered at check-in. This is scheduled to be corrected at some point.
• Elite turns Non-Elite. EUA will not recognize for an advance upgrade, and upgrade will not be offered at check-in
• Elite changes to a different Elite tier. EUA will recognize most current Elite status for an advance upgrade and for the upgrade standby list upon check-in