When are upgrades called?
 

I have been told by more than one agent that if you are not in the boarding area when upgrades are called, they will move on to the next person. Any wisdom on that? I tend to stay in the MLL as long as possible.

BTW, I've been AC E for three years and have never received an op-up, except once when my flight was canceled.

They can be called at any time.

If I'm playing Aerolotto, I'm at the gate around 15-20 min before the "stated" boarding time.

I have personally seen them go on to the next person on the list (me) when someone doesn't present himself for the upgrade.

Andrew has said in the past, if you are upgraded..you are upgraded

If you are not at the gate, you do not lose your upgrade

I have been called for an upgrade at the YVR international lounge about 30 minutes before stated boarding time. So anytime is true, but in this case they also made an effort to locate me beyond the gate area.

If Andrew said it, it's probably true. It's been years since I had to play Aerolotto.

I suspect it depends somewhat on the type of upgrade.

Recently (ie this year) I have found that when on the waiting list for cert type upgrades, they are often processed at the last minute at the gate. I have had op-ups given to me at the check-in desk, handed to me at the gate during boarding and once(!) after I was already seated way in the back of economy. Pretty funny actually - one of the crew asked me what I was doing when I started heading to the front after everyone had cleared the aisle.

really depends on the GA.....

i have seen GAs going down the upgrade list after announcing unsuccessful names

i also haver recieved UG boarding pass at the gate 30 mins before departure (during the calm of the storm)

i been asked to move up after seated

also been told if #4 does not arrive i will be #5 on the WL and its up to me to stand and wait or get on the plane + take the economy seat

For international flights processed at the gate for an E or SE, they assume you are in the MLL and often will page you there to exchange boarding passes and attach the upgrade cert a few minutes before calling the flight for boarding. Domestic and Transbordere are done at the gate and if you are not there when they call names, but they knwo you've checked in, you will be caught as you board when your boarding pass is scanned. Sometimes it may be done when you're on board and already in your seat.

Earlier this year, I was cert up'd after I had plunked myself down in econ. The guy sitting next to me was puzzled when I quickly grabbed all my bags and headed to the front.

As for Op-up, I've experienced upgraded at the gate when my bp was scanned and other times, been paged at the desk. Always an exciting time when they start paging all sorts of people prior to boarding (my gf was shakng her head when I did the "please upgrade me dance" until it worked on our HKG-YYZ flight last year) :)

last time i was called i was happy....but only to verify documents :(

Every time I have requested an UG that was not confirmed by check-in time, I just go to the counter at the time I would otherwise and ask if my UG has cleared.
Most times, if it has, they will already have the printed new BP waiting on the desk.

i got my upgrade today during boarding..... my old boarding card was denied....and then the GA went and look at a stack of printed boarding passes.....and gave an upgraded boarding card to me.