When do you guys check in?
 

You probably got RUC'd by the couple. I don't believe checkin time has anything to do with the upgrade list.

well, you don't appear on the upgrade list until you actually check in.

FWIW, You don't actually get checked in at T-24 hours. You get checked in the first time you open the app once checkin is available.

To answer the question, though, I might sometimes check in at T-24 if I happen to be on my phone when I get the notification, or I might not do it until I'm in the car on the way to the airport.

Check-in time isn't relevant to upgrade priority. It's published. Perhaps you're thinking of another carrier.

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-upgrades.html

I usually fly BE, so I check in as soon as possible in order to pick a better seat.

I usually check-in an hour or so the flight when traveling domestically. Once you check in you can no longer make changes to the flight on-line (except for whatever SDC options are presented as part of the check in process). I usually travel on refundable fares and make frequent changes. Once you're checked in you have to call which takes substantially longer than on-line. I also do not understand the benefit to the traveler to checking in early especially when it can be done in the app on the way to the airport or while walking to the security line.

I am also not a fan of the auto check-in that has been recently implemented in the app since it's easy to just hit the big continue button when moving quickly rather than the smaller "X" in the corner. I wish DL would make it a option that you could select rather than forced.

I used to think that right up until I tried to check in on the way to the airport and got an error saying there was an issue with my ticket. Apparently a botched upgrade or something. The boarding pass printing kiosks didn't work either. Nearly missed my flight due to having to wait in line for more than 20 minutes at the check-in counter (plus five minutes of an agent fumbling on the keyboard to fix the issue). Got to the gate right at T-7 as they were about to close the boarding doors.

Now I check-in sometime the day before and take a screenshot of the boarding pass. At a minimum that will get me past TSA and any issues can be handled at the gate.

I recently began doing this with my iPhone BPs. There's nothing worse than the app flaking out on you the moment you're trying to board, or the occasions where it just "loses" everything for some unknown reason. Being able to call-up the screenshot is great insurance.

With an iPhone I just use the wallet. It makes it a lot easier since it shows up on the lock screen and can be displayed with one tap. Apple's wallet app also automatically increases the brightness to 100% and prevents the screen from turning off or rotating even if the phone is moved around which seems to make the scanning the barcode easier. I've NEVER had a problem with BPs failing to display once added to the wallet app and don't understand why anyone uses the Delta app for boarding passes (at least on iOS devices). AA's app doesn't even give an option to display the BP in the app but, rather, forces the BP into the wallet.

I like to check-in close to T-24 as reasonable (i.e. I won't interrupt a work meeting or wake up at 6am to check-in since this isn't WN). I feel more comfortable when I have my BP and that's just on me since there isn't a technical reason to require it.

I've never used the Wallet app, and didn't know anything about it. Of course, I also just figured out there's this thing called "Apple Pay." :D

Guess I'll have to try it.

RUCs can only clear until T-3h, right?

That's their official number. Some here have had success at T-1 if you get the right agent.

They put you at the top of the upgrade list to clear at the gate. Mind you, "top" can be subjective.. I've been 7 or 8 down on the list as a Diamond on a RUC :D

Is it not that you can apply an RUC or GUC on a flight up until T-3, but they can clear at any point in time, before gate is closed, after having been applied?

It isn't relevant to upgrade priority as in where you end up on the list, but check in must be what causes your name to populate on the list? I am #1 often when I check in, but hours later I end up somewhere in the middle. I assumed others with higher priority finally checking in is what was causing that, wondering the same thing as OP why do all these people wait so long to check in? But to your point, since the answer doesn't change the fact I end up in the middle of the list I didn't bother to ask. I agree it can cause false hope, so I always assume no upgrade unless it clears at the window.

Yes, other than to check where you are on the upgrade list it doesn't do much. And, while I don't do it, I know some people who avoid checking in until the last minute as a defensive posture. Some people decide whether or not to apply a RUC based on where they are on the upgrade list, and so by waiting until T-1 or T-2 before the flight, you avoid people applying RUCs and jumping ahead of you on the list. Too much micromanaging for me to worry about, but there ya go. This is more common on long haul transcons, probably not so much on 2 hour hops.

As a Goldmember, if I have not been upgraded to Comfort+, before I check in at T-24 I look at the seat map and see if something has opened up better than what I have. If I find something I switch seats and check in. If not, I most likely will check in anyway, depending on the flight. Coming out of a hub, I usually find myself 25 out of 47 (or so) on any upgrade list so I no longer worry about it. ;)

I do remember that at some point check in time made a difference. Maybe in NWA days?

Cheers,
Pogopossum

Aside from upgrades and seats, I was under the impression that one of the boxes that gets ticked in choosing who may get IDB is check-in time.

Yes. However last time I looked elites were exempt by policy from IDB. Kills the need for large number of passengers to worry about checkin time.

They can only be applied till T-3. Most agents don't care though and ignore this rule. However you can clear anytime up to and including while sitting in Y onboard,the plane while at gate.

Thanks you guys for the pointer for using the wallet, that's a great ideer!

This is why I check-in as close to T-24 as practical. It's the only time this FO gets to see his name near the top of the upgrade list :D