[removing this for now, as this is still an active itinerary... will repost after flights]

[removing this one too for now]

Are you OK with having used your GUC on the ATL/LAX leg if the loooooong leg to SYD doesn't clear?

Clearly doesn't do me any good here (swapping spots with my companion isn't helpful ;-)), so no.

More just trying to see if we can use this somewhat unique set of circumstances to glean any more real information on cert upgrade priority.

So, I guess you're saying that you asked them to enter the GUC for ATL/LAX as a test, an they told you they'd delete your GUC request?!?

No, just reporting my position on the list in case it helps us determine what factors come into play. (I had them remove my GUC request for the LAX segment).

I just ended a call with the diamond line about 15 minutes ago. I decided to apply some GUCs to a flight I have out of LAX on Thurs, Nov 24. I decided this late since it is the usual game: tons of C+ available but Delta not assigning them, and to add insult to injury, someone decided to place themself in the middle seat of my 777 row.

So I asked the same question you ask: what is the order of priority? She said "...since GUCs are only issued to diamonds, time of waitlisting the GUC is the first consideration. If the time is exactly the same as someone else, then the other items apply: amex reserve, fare class, etc. etc. I also asked what would happen if one was a diamond when they got the GUCs but are no longer a diamond. She said that did not matter.

As an aside, I have used a GUC out of LAX and had to go to the gate and it was a real mess, so I sympathize with you. That was the real reason I didn't want to use a GUC for my upcoming flight because to waitlist out of LAX was a bad memory. I think there are lots of funny things going on with some employees there. When I used my GUC there before, there was even a redcoat there who was absolutely awful. They said the diamond line is supposed to do those, blah, blah, blah.

Good luck and hope all turns out well for you.

Thanks!

Deleted the specifics from my original post as this is still an active itinerary and I don't want to stir the pot for people flying today that may also read FT. Got some more details; promise will post everything again once this marathon day of flying is over!

I had a huge effing problem with online check in (4 calls to the Diamond line with mixed results) and then subsequently issues with my GUC. The red coat I talked to said fare class is the top factor in determining priority. She didn't seem to care that I had applied the GUC back in May. No upgrade for me.

Ironically, OLCI did not work for me at all yeaterday. Took me nearly two hours to actually get checked in at the airport, but that's another story entirely.

Based on everything I learned yesterday about GUC priority, I can say somewhat difinitively at this point that following ordering applies:

1) Status
2) Fare Class
3) time of request

Other things may come into play, but those are the ones, in that order, that I actually have some data to back up.

It also appears that it does not make a difference in certificate type (I.E., GUCs and RUCs appear to have the same priority. Had pretty good evidence that a DM with a RUC but a higher fare class was ahead of me on a domestic leg where I had a GUC listed).

The new companion rules DO apply to GUCs and RUCs when two people list together (must be same PNR) using certs. I.E. a DM and a no status companion both on RUCs would both trump a PM with a cert.

So . . . . . .

Did'ja get upgraded on either leg?!?!? Hopefully, at least the LONG one?!?

I did! They cleared 5 upgrades at the gate; I was # 3. My companion got stuck in the back, since our records got split back in April and she's only a GM (she was down at the bottom of the list). Lesson here is: NEVER EVER EVER SPLIT A PNR (especially with the new rules).

Neither of us cleared ATL -> LAX (0 seats cleared at the gate)

On a related note, due to a comment the checkin agent made about having to reissue her ticket I have a sinking feeling that a GUC may have been accidentally burned on the really short hop for her today (EWR-> ATL... she would have cleared on her own!). I guess we'll see in a few days. Won't be happy if it got used (obviously). I tried to have them UG her at the gate instead of me LAX -> SYD to avoid any chance, but they wouldn't clear an upgrade out of order (for fear of being accused of SHENA I assume). So I guess we'll see what happens.

Anyways, just about to land in SYD (and no, this isn't the end of our journey today!)

Isn't DM the only status that can use GUC?

Glad to hear you got upgraded. That's a long flight. I don't know if we'll ever know how or why one gets upgraded. Remember the GUCs I waitlisted for y'day? I cleared overnight so there's still half of delta one available and I would have had to waitlist from when I booked months ago if I had intended to use a GUC. Yet I waitlisted y'day and cleared overnight. Of course, half of the C+ seats are still open and they didn't clear anyone into those.

I think it's just a sign of what's to come: our GUCs will get us into C+ in the future, and in order to get to delta one, we'll have to use 2 GUCs. Even if the verbage says differently.

Enjoy SYD.

DM is the only status that can earn a GUC. But they can be used on companions traveling on the same flights, or after you've lost DM. So status is still the first priority.