When are upgrades processed?
 

What time are upgrades processed at the given window for each status level, i.e. 5 days for plat, 2 for gold etc? Are they all processed at midnight of the applicable day, the time of the actual flight or what?

I just made several reservations for next week and have lousy seats for all three segments. Most are later in the day and I would like to try and snag an exit row as quickly as possible when it comes available to accommodate upgrades.

Anyone here know if there is a set rule?

If things are running according to the published schedule, DM and PM will run around 1700 ATL time on the day that is SIX days prior to the flight. GMs run FOUR days prior, FOs TWO days prior. In other words, for a flight on Friday, upgrades for DM and PM will run Saturday starting at 1700 ATL time. Note that the sweep may take a couple of hours to run.

I have always had mine go between 1730 and 1750 when the window opens

I have watched this in process (bored one day) it does seem like the upgrades are processed in order of flight number, lowest to highest. I had 8 segments that day and that is how they were processed. Starting at 5pm EST. Took about an hour for all to be upgraded.

My last flight had really weird times for the upgrades, one segment cleared at 4:15 AM 4 days out. ( that flight had been showing V=0 prior to that )

So I guess I will log in and check every couple hours that I can +/-1 5 days prior and 2 days prior!

Thanks for the comments

...on an award ticket?
 

Do the same time frames apply for upgrades when on a SkyMiles award ticket???? I realize the priority changes a bit, but shouldn't the windows be the same?

award tickets are processed at the 24 hour mark AFTER silvers on revenue tickets but in order of status for award tickets

Nope - they are processed by status first and fare second. A domestic award ticket (N to V) is second from the bottom - Pay with miles is the bottom. My recent award cleared at T-5, the SO (GM) at T-4.

Yes, a DM on an award ticket clears before any PMs not on a Y.

Silvers do not get complimentary award ticket upgrades.

Incorrect. Award ticket upgrades clear at the regular elite windows, after all elites on revenue tickets. DM on an award ticket trumps FO on a revenue ticket.

Correct!^

Well, if the last 2 posts are correct, and I believe they are, Mrs. Planereality and I got hosed today! She is pm, I am gm, we are both on award tix-- 6 seats open in first less than 24 hrs before flight and here we sit in 12 d&e on a 737
If normal medallion status applies all the upgrades should have been processed by 24 hr mark...leaving the said 6 seats
More Delta mysteries

Don't assume that all persons with higher priority than you - same elite status on any paid fare - cleared by the 24hr window.

Sometimes there are Plats (and even Diamonds, I hear) clearing at the gate.

^

6 seats open at T-24 doesn't mean anything. Delta does not release every single FC seat for upgrades in advance; they often hold some for last-minute sales and give them away at the gate if unsold. There could have been DMs and PMs that never cleared in advance either, and they were upgraded at the gate before you. Also note that if you were both in the same PNR, you would have both cleared after all GMs on revenue tickets... pretty low in the pecking order.

As A Diamond member I can tell you that my domestic upgrades no longer clear CONSITENTLY.

Some segements clear at time of booking. Others at the 7 day window. Other at the gate.

For my flight on Monday BDL-DET-LAX, and reverse, each segement cleared at different time, with last one clearing last night (thats 3 days prior to flight), and my DET to LAX segement has NOT yet cleared. I know for a fact that it will clear once I arrive at DET. (having flown this route many times).

Why ? I have no clue.

The same happens when I fly JFK to LAX. My upgrades as Diamond clear at the gate. I have never had the JFK to LAX flight clear ahead of time.

So I really do not belive that there are ANY fixed rules to all this.

The may claim things are suppose to happen at certain times, but they are not consitently executed that way.