You know, I wonder if the guys at Northwest that define the exact EUA and waitlist rules (or implement them in their software) read this thread. If so, they will probably find it pretty amusing to watch our desperate attempt to guess what the finer details of the algorithms are (I know I would!). Maybe they have bets going for each aspect of the system as to when we'll figure it out...

All in all, I think the mystery about the upgrade order might work out in Northwest's favor. We are all religiosly doing our check-in online (which saves Northwest money), because we believe (but don't know for sure) that this will improve our odds of sitting up front. The discussion about "long term value" might make people give Northwest additional business, "just in case it improves my long term value". Keep in mind that Russ didn't even spell out what "LT" stands for, this too is our best guess. One thing is clear: if Northwest had an interest in making the EUA and waitlist procedures crystal clear, they could easily do so. It's not that the question hasn't been asked before, and therefore the fact that they don't tell us more details makes me think that they believe they are better off without us knowing for sure. Besides, how boring would a day be without somebody posting some new speculation on how we can better play the upgrade game? :)

- Martin

So is time of ticketing, mean that the earlier I buy my ticket the better EUA chances? Or the later I buy my ticket?

I am guessing earlier.

Plat1 buys K fare 20 days prior to departure.
Plat2 buys K fare 19 days prior to departure.

In this case Plat1 beats Plat2 (all other factors remaining same) because he bought his tickets earlier and so is in line in front of the other plat.First In, First Out.

Plat1 buys K fare 20 days prior to departure.
Plat2 buys T fare 19 days prior to departure(say K got sold out in a day or by manually selecting the T fare)

Plat2 beats Plat1(paid higher fare, so Point #3 time of ticketing doesnt come into effect)

Ooo, maybe half of us are really NWA IT folks throwing out red herrings for kicks... :D

I don't think so. I think it is 1)tier 2) fare class or some equivalent and then (possibly) 3) time of OLCI. A recent example among many: On Wednesday last I checked in 24.0 hours in advance for OGG(Maui)-SEA-DTW. This was 38 hours prior to the departure of the SEA-DTW leg, but I was told in SEA that I was #6 on the upgrade waitlist. This has happened several times in the last 8 months.

NWAOldtimer I think you are disagreeing with the battlefield order and not the EUA correct? You quoting the whole of themicah's post seems to be confusing.

The EUA order seems to be correct.

Agreed. Realized after the fact that my post was not clear.

Here's the answer from Beth Shultis (May 2005)
 

Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 3:23 PM
Fr: Shultis, Beth A

Subject: RE: Question about Elite whether time of Nwa.com check in affects where a pax is on the FC upgrade list

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you.

1. For the nwa.com check-in and self-service (SSD) if the Elite member SSR ELITE in Gfax) is not already upgraded, we will offer to upgrade to First class. If we are not able to upgrade, then the passenger is placed on the PPL with the correct elite tier status.

2. The Worldspan PPL process puts passengers on the waitlist based on the time of the check-in and within type/Class. Examples of Types are Platinum, Gold, Silver, etc...) So first on within a Type/Class will in bsp; stay on the top of that grouping. But since there are multiple groupings a members position on the /SPAN>PPL can and often will change. For example a -H is a confirmed psgr on the flight and they go to the top of the list, followed by -X who are mishandled psgrs, etc.

3. There isn't a history to the PPL and everything is kept in Time order (last column) of the last update.

I hope that this is clear.

international varient...
 

So, for the DTW-AMS (NW 54) flight on 10/15 that they will not release seats for upgrade, if there are any open on the day of travel, being platinum will help, and if I use on line check in at exactly 24 hours ahead should be at the top of the list? Maybe fare category would trump me because I have the lowest level upgradable fare (B). Fingers crossed!

The only way you stand a chance of getting free WBC is if coach is oversold. The FAs like to flop down in them too much to give you a free upgrade.

I am eligible for an upgrade with this fare, so I would think if there are any unsold WBC seats, that eligible flyers would be able to get them if they use the miles, right?

Yes, provided that NW releases those seats and make them available for upgrade. IIRC there is one bucket for Y fare upgrades and another one for B fare upgrades.

There's a lot more to the upgrade pecking order.

Search for a thread I started two months ago (approx.) about the "A" and "B" upgrade lists at the airport.

-RM
http://www.flyertalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=470372

classic. i have been searching for that thread. "pecking" is a better search option for all the good threads.

This seems to be pretty close to the algorithm(s) in my experience. One additional variable that is out there, is the timing of the release of seats that are "held back" for full fare, or first class fares. I believe this became a major issue when NW responded to Delta's "simplified" pricing scheme early this year.

So here's a scenario... if you are GE status, don't get your EUA on typical timing, you get online at 23:59 and check in, and get the "You have been placed on the upgrade list" message, because the only seats left in F are set aside for potential full First Class fare passengers.

Then, after you have checked in, some of these "set aside" seats are released and another EUA process releases at midnight the night before the flight (the customary SE upgrade time).

I believe that, occasionally, a SE is upgraded on this basis while a GE is sitting in first place on the PPL list. Seemed like a very common thing earlier this year... lately not so common. Maybe it was my imagination.

However, if I'm right about this, it is correct for higher level elites to check in early, but for Silvers and maybe Golds, it is worth waiting for all of the EUAs to process before checking in (although there is no question in my mind that time of check-in is a factor once you get on the PPL list).