Originally Posted by
jjlovecub
Not to throw a wrench into this theroy because I'd love to know as much as the next guy how this works BUT I was flying TPA to DTW last November. I did OLCI at 23:59. I didn't get upgraded and printed my "coach" boarding pass. 3 hours later I went back to look at my reservation to see what gate I would be arriving into and there it was, my seat in "First." I reprinted the boarding pass with the new seat. Before reprinting I did NOT attempt to recheck in for my flight I just saw the change under my reservation. Now that is the only time that has EVER happened to me but it did happen.
I have had this same thing happen to me in the past, that is partly why I believe fully checking in at 23:59 is the best option.
In the original case I wrote about, I did OLCI at 23:59:59 I mean just at the clock ticked. Thought for sure would be first on UG waitlist. No way, I mean no way, 12 other PE's did OLCI before me. I did not check, but the elderly lady I spoke with probably did not check in until she arrived at the airport. Three seats were available. I did not have a chance to talk with the other two people.
Just thought this might add something to the conversation on BF UGs about the number of flown miles in a given year. In this case, it appears that it was a factor. It was on a A320 plane, 16 first class seats. There were only four seats available at the six day window, three left at check-in time. Three seats given out at gate. On the way out we were UGd six days out, so it appears that we were in the system correctly.
I too think it would be good customer service just to let people know exactly how the process works. However, maybe the reason NWA chooses not to clearly define it is that there may be flaws in the system that would be exposed to the public.