I had read this and I (kind of) get this, but the formulation is very vague and unspecific, probably on purpose.

The core of the question is what priority order actually applies and I am under the impression that this has become completely intransparent.

I understood that the new system was categorically �bids first�, being the amount the crucial aspect, probably before status and time of placing the bid.

Now it seems something rather along the lines of WHO is bidding. Hence, is a USD 50.00 bid from a BS worth more than USD 100.00 from a B? And is a high bid from a non-status passenger worth more than a BS coupon? And how are upgrades against miles treated?

I�d love someone to illustrate what the priorities are.

The only thing I know, is that the upgrade list with coupons (the only one accessible to the passenger) does not really reflect your chances on scoring the upgrade, because other types of bidders interfere and may have priority.

I am sure Latam got plenty of complaints from BS when the priority are higher for bidders when the rule came out. Why would they treat their most loyal customers to be second to causal customers that make bids. Hopefully the rules are more clear by March when the new status cycle begins.

I once got an upgrade T3 with segment then had it taken away after I checked in at the counter and the gate agent made up some story about something was wrong with the seat but I saw the person sitting there.

Would love to know more about this. Also it happened to me in September (I understand that the bidding priority change was pushed to October). LA532 SCL-JFK I got the upgrade T-3 (me as BS and another Black). T-2 I get downgraded and the excuse I got was a change of aircraft (bulls*** as it was a 787-9 with 30 seats). Then SS said it was 2 passengers that got impacted (2J passengers flying to another US city that moved to my flight). This could be reasonable as after the upgrades kick in, J inventory remains the same.

Anyways, its madness how LATAM is treating their top customers and how they traded short term gains vs long-term sustainable success. It wouldn't be strange that the Avianca/Gol/Sky merge and buy long-hauls to compete directly with Latam in SCL and GRU.