New Upgrade Priorities: First Experiences & Strategies
Dec 27, 2025 | 3:53 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: AAdvantage, Delta, LATAM Pass, Aeroplan, Iberia
Posts: 15
Basically you need one black signature who can submit how many coupons they have to bring people up with them.
It's crazy.
Latam should just let a user apply with their own priority based on their status. If you want to apply for another person , then that other person's status is what should count. Not on the person that applies.
It's crazy.
Latam should just let a user apply with their own priority based on their status. If you want to apply for another person , then that other person's status is what should count. Not on the person that applies.
Last edited by nicorios; Dec 27, 2025 at 4:05 am
Dec 27, 2025 | 11:02 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: Latam Black Signature
Posts: 99
probably after christmas you have a lot of european based travelers which don't have status so easy to score upgrades.
Dec 28, 2025 | 4:58 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: UA 1k 1mil. Marriott Titanium
Posts: 281
Basically you need one black signature who can submit how many coupons they have to bring people up with them.
It's crazy.
Latam should just let a user apply with their own priority based on their status. If you want to apply for another person , then that other person's status is what should count. Not on the person that applies.
It's crazy.
Latam should just let a user apply with their own priority based on their status. If you want to apply for another person , then that other person's status is what should count. Not on the person that applies.
Jan 12, 2026 | 12:40 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: Latam Black Signature
Posts: 99
Ok based on some flights I have done and data gathered:
T-12 bidding upgrades
T-6 Black/BS upgrade clears until 3 seats are left.
T-2 All upgrades clear including Plat/Gold
i have not seen too many bidding upgrades on long haul flights. Its difficult to tell as it could be a confirmed passenger changing dates or someone purchasing last-minute J.
You cant bid after T-12 so this reinforces my point hat if there are seats after T-12, those seats will go to elite upgrades unless someone buys J directly or changes flights with confirmed J.
T-12 bidding upgrades
T-6 Black/BS upgrade clears until 3 seats are left.
T-2 All upgrades clear including Plat/Gold
i have not seen too many bidding upgrades on long haul flights. Its difficult to tell as it could be a confirmed passenger changing dates or someone purchasing last-minute J.
You cant bid after T-12 so this reinforces my point hat if there are seats after T-12, those seats will go to elite upgrades unless someone buys J directly or changes flights with confirmed J.
Jan 13, 2026 | 12:34 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2025
Posts: 2
Ok based on some flights I have done and data gathered:
T-12 bidding upgrades
T-6 Black/BS upgrade clears until 3 seats are left.
T-2 All upgrades clear including Plat/Gold
i have not seen too many bidding upgrades on long haul flights. Its difficult to tell as it could be a confirmed passenger changing dates or someone purchasing last-minute J.
You cant bid after T-12 so this reinforces my point hat if there are seats after T-12, those seats will go to elite upgrades unless someone buys J directly or changes flights with confirmed J.
T-12 bidding upgrades
T-6 Black/BS upgrade clears until 3 seats are left.
T-2 All upgrades clear including Plat/Gold
i have not seen too many bidding upgrades on long haul flights. Its difficult to tell as it could be a confirmed passenger changing dates or someone purchasing last-minute J.
You cant bid after T-12 so this reinforces my point hat if there are seats after T-12, those seats will go to elite upgrades unless someone buys J directly or changes flights with confirmed J.
You CAN bid after T-12 and this clears at T-2 (they change to other bidding partner at T-12)
Feb 7, 2026 | 6:19 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 900
Im confused. If I go online and try to make a new, dummy booking. Latam plus/premium economy isnt available to choose during the seat selection.
but in my reservation, it gives me the option to bid for an upgrade.
what exactly am I bidding for?
thank you
but in my reservation, it gives me the option to bid for an upgrade.
what exactly am I bidding for?
thank you
Feb 8, 2026 | 6:52 am
#38
Ambassador, LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lima, Per
Programs: LATAM, Lifemiles
Posts: 915
Upgrades are to a Premium cabin (premium economy or premium business). LATAM + seats are just seats on Economy cabin that have extra cost (and some benefits).
Feb 8, 2026 | 5:01 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 900
do sometimes they only upgrade one person on the reservation?
Feb 8, 2026 | 10:12 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: Latam Black Signature
Posts: 99
regarding seating together, not guaranteed. The upgrades clear from front row to last row and from left to right.
Feb 9, 2026 | 5:02 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 900
got it thanks. so it might not be even worth it if no guarantees we would be together if cleared...
Last edited by michael1023; Feb 9, 2026 at 6:32 am
Feb 9, 2026 | 6:47 am
#42
Ambassador, LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lima, Per
Programs: LATAM, Lifemiles
Posts: 915
Regarding upgrade bidding
Seat assignment is random, you aren't necessarily seated together.
Your bid is subject to seat availability. If selected, it will only be accepted if there are enough available seats in the Premium Business or Premium Economy cabin for all passengers included in your reservation.
Feb 9, 2026 | 12:42 pm
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chile
Programs: LATAM Black Signature
Posts: 308
LATAM Airlines will accept upgrade bids even if there is no premium cabin inventory available. If no seats open up, no upgrades will be processed.
Feb 11, 2026 | 8:13 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: AAdvantage, Delta, LATAM Pass, Aeroplan, Iberia
Posts: 15
I am a Black elite status.
LA714 SCL GRU had 8 J seats when coupons applications open (it's the daily widebody flight). I started as 3, then got down to 8 because BS applied later on.
Now only 1 seat available and still on 8th position.
I guess they sold on the auction
Same happened to me on the GRU SCL.
Black status has been useless this year so far. Let's see in a couple of days for a GRU JFK flight
LA714 SCL GRU had 8 J seats when coupons applications open (it's the daily widebody flight). I started as 3, then got down to 8 because BS applied later on.
Now only 1 seat available and still on 8th position.
I guess they sold on the auction
Same happened to me on the GRU SCL.
Black status has been useless this year so far. Let's see in a couple of days for a GRU JFK flight
Feb 11, 2026 | 8:27 am
#45
Join Date: Jan 2024
Programs: Latam Black Signature
Posts: 99
I am a Black elite status.
LA714 SCL GRU had 8 J seats when coupons applications open (it's the daily widebody flight). I started as 3, then got down to 8 because BS applied later on.
Now only 1 seat available and still on 8th position.
I guess they sold on the auction
Same happened to me on the GRU SCL.
Black status has been useless this year so far. Let's see in a couple of days for a GRU JFK flight
LA714 SCL GRU had 8 J seats when coupons applications open (it's the daily widebody flight). I started as 3, then got down to 8 because BS applied later on.
Now only 1 seat available and still on 8th position.
I guess they sold on the auction
Same happened to me on the GRU SCL.
Black status has been useless this year so far. Let's see in a couple of days for a GRU JFK flight