I'm with most of the other posters on understanding that the level of status counts. I'm a recent silver and usually book my trips in advance. I also use E-ticketing and E-checkin most of the time. I'm upgraded through EUA with no problems so far.

My guess is that no matter how well you explain something, someone somewhere will misunderstand. And somewhere an exception will be made that causes someone to think this is the way it's always done. But my read as a silver is that my possibility for an upgrade comes after Platinum and Gold, period. Since I usually book in advance, I figure I'll know midnight the night before if I'm getting an upgrade. I'd guess if people are waitlisted at the airport due to walkup purchases, etc., perhaps the member guide could be explicit that status counts there too. But I guess I just always understood it to be so.

How does it work with walkup purchases if say you're a platinum wanting to make a trip and I purchased a 14 day advance fare as a silver and already got upgraded via EUA? Should I be bumped back to coach? Or is EUA separate from walkup purchases and airport waitlists?