I'm a Gold Elite, becoming Platinum next week (first time) and I still don't know if it is better to check-in online while awaiting an upgrade, or wait to get to the airport. I JUST made a reservation for tomorrow and they have 1st class seats available on both my flights, and I would've been upgraded 2 days ago if I had booked that far in advance. Now, I can check-in online, or wait. Which gives me the better chance for an upgrade? I know I'm put on a "list" if I check-in online, but does that matter?

Becoming Plat next week has no bearing on your current flight. Do OLCI quickly to get on the standby list for upgrade.

It's not an easy question to answer. Completing OLCI early gets you a better spot on the standby upgrade list. It doesn't trump elite level or fare class, but all else being equal an earlier checkin will win. And you have to complete the checkin to get your place on the list.

However, sometimes a seat becomes available for upgrade within the 24 hour period and the first elite that checks in after that gets the seat, regardless of elite level. Kind of like hitting the lottery. You can keep starting OLCI to see if you can snag an upgrade this way, but abort it if you're told the upgrade is not available. Once you complete the checkin you have no more chance at an upgrade that way. and you must wait to see if upgrades become available at the airport

I doubt that anyone has done a statistically valid test to determine which is the best way to go. I generally don't complete OLCI until I'm about to leave for the airport unless I get the upgrade.

I didn't think the Plat status coming my way affected THIS trip- I was just pointing out that I fly a lot and STILL have no idea what to do in this case. And I'm definitely some sort of dummy b/c I have NO idea what OLCI is!

Wait- is it Online check-in? AHHH....I get it now.

I do the opposite -- check in right at 24 hours if I haven't been upgraded, to try and get as high on the first class standby list as possible. Generally I've had decent luck with this, with the three hour EUA run giving me the upgrade, or getting it at the gate at the airport. I've also missed very few upgrades this year, and most of the flights where I've missed the upgrade, F was sold out before the Platinum EUA period opened.

Just a side note, which you may already know (or you may not fall into the situation) -

Even if you are crossing over 75K EQM in the first segment on the same day mulit-segment flight, second segment is still Gold segment, because Platinum "Benefits are effective the day after attaining a new Elite status."

I'm writing this because it was different when I attained Gold status back in 1998 (or 1997, whichever) - at that time I became Gold in short segment (<500) to CLE, then flew second segment to IAH, and I received 100% (Gold) elite RDM bonus for that leg.

When I became first-time Platinum last year, I was in the same same situtation, but I didn't get increased bonus this time, so I called OPSC - then told above rule. (well, it's just add'l 25%, so it's OK...)

I second this.

Precisely what I do as well. Always, always, always do OLCI at 24 hours. ^

This feedback is extremely helpful, as I have often wondered about which way is better.

However, is the advice to do OLCI at 24 hours still true for Silver members? Since us Silver folks are much less likely to get an upgrade at the airport, wouldn't it make more sense for us to keep trying for an upgrade via OLCI rather than check-in at 24 hours?

I always do this, as well.

Reached Gold late August (was Plat 2001 - 2004) and running a pathetic 40 % all of which issued at the 24 hour mark as part of the on-line check in process.

Had a my first Battlefield (seems that if I don't get it at check in int isn't going to happen) When scanning my boarding pass the machine beeped twice and they handed my a cash register receipt size seat change to 4B, much better than re-stowing your carry-on

Have an 2 S fares tomorrow, each segement is still showing coach, et's see what happens when I reach the 24 hour mark in a couple of hours

Let's see what happens

As a Gold, I was EUA'd most often either at the three-day mark or at the three-hour mark. Occasionally, I received EUA's at the 24-hour mark or at the gate/battlefield, but such upgrades were much less frequent than the three-day or three-hour regular EUA's.

Didn't get it at 24 hours (GOLD) [it's an 11:30 Ontario to IAH .. . .]

What if one checks in at the 24-hour mark and then goes back to re-checkin later on that day or the next. If I recall, I think that you basically go through the same process, you dont lose your check-in sequence number but you are again asked if you want to upgrade if I recall.

I have NEVER gotten an upgrade during OLCI. If no upgrade at the 5 day window, then the probability of upgrade gets very low. I have had 3 or 4 at the gate, but usually not. Overall upgrade percentage is around 50% (perception, not measured). Since I buy low cost advance fare tickets, I am pleased when I get upgraded, and not unhappy when I don't. After all, I could always pay more and get up front more often if it was important.