Fewer Flights + More Elites - Fewer "R" Bucket Seats = Fewer "Advanced" EUA's Which = MORE Frustration!!!

At least the battlefields have worked for me!!! Missed 2 of 108 segments so far this year... Not too bad. I still believe that the system works it just works a little slower because NW does not release the inventory to the "R" bucket as early as it used to.

Also I have started to use the KVS tool to look at inventory before I even book my trips and make sure P9 F9 is there... It has helped.

when reading kvs which cabin class # tells you how many 1st class upgrade seats there are

Try this thread for pax w/ similar experiences with recent drop in R class availability:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...light=upgrades

>>>>I was wondering when does the actual upgrades get processed.

As a fellow Gold, my upgrades--if R space is available--for the past few months have happened mid-day (roughly between 10am and 4pm CST) 4 days before day of departure. If they didn't come then, then in all instances F space was below 6 or so. I've had good luck within the 24 hour window, however, when EUA didn't happen 3 (actually 4) days out.

Unfortunately NWA and others have hidden the "R" bucket... I typically look for flights that show more than F6 before booking. Below that # the "R" bucket does not appear to be available for early upgrades. Ocasionally though, if it still shows more than F4 a couple of days out I have received upgrades.

The "P" bucket does not appear to have as big of an effect as the "F" bucket though. While it is still a pain and causes much mental turmoil, the EUA for me, has still been available at the gate... My only misses this year were earlier this year before the bankruptcy filing, so I still think the system works, just not well as we have come to expect, or like.

For example I am traveling from ATL-DTW-LAN on Thursday and the ATL-DTW leg has cleared but the DTW-LAN leg has not. KVS still shows P3 F3, so I expect to get upgraded at the gate. If I don't I'll be happy to get the 1K bonus.

My flight tomorrow (at 9:29pm) has 9 of 16 First Class seats left for sale, and my upgrade still hasn't cleared. Plenty of seats are available in coach as well, so they're not playing some sort of inventory balancing game. I expect that the last minute upgrade will come through, but it's still lame.

Best of luck.

I'm sitting in the DCA Worldclub now, where I'm becoming increasingly upset at NW. As of yesterday, my flight had 11/16 seats in F still to sell - however - no upgrade in advance!

Now, today, it's 16/16 up front and those 11 seats? Filled with bumps from earlier flights. This seems to be common practice lately and there are a few very pissed off platinums in here.

Just curious how you know they filled up with bumps from earlier flights, and simply not other PL ahead of you.

Had some interesting insight from some employees:

1. When I was travelling MSP-JFK recently, ITN/KVS showed P7 F7 when I checked in about 12 hours prior. Figured I'd have a chance with a BF UG, asked the GA if I had a chance on the waitlist (I was SE at this time). He printed out about 6-7 BP's and handed me mine from the stack. I asked him why I didn't get upgraded in advance and his reply was something like "With so many golds & plats, NW will hold off upgrading silvers so we have better seat selection." So yes, lately they are holding off UG'ing silvers.

2. Just booked some travel with Carlson Wagonlit. Travel agent says, "I see you're NW Gold. I'll place you on the UG list." I say, "How did you know that?" Reply: "We have access to NWA's system for travellers we book." I ask her more questions and it turns out she tells me that NW used to run EUA's twice daily - once at 2pm and once at 11pm. Then about a year ago they changed it to run 3 times daily. But she says she (and her coworkers) can't figure out how it runs and when it does. She think it may be something to do with the system load or real-time. Unlike most travel agents, she knew all about EUA's, fare basis, etc. So I think this is valid info. Only thing I couldn't understand was what she meant by placing me on the UG list. Doesn't that happen automatically with my elite status?

Anyone else ever hear stuff like this?

>>>>Only thing I couldn't understand was what she meant by placing me on the UG list. Doesn't that happen automatically with my elite status?

Let me be your travel agent, and not only will I put you on the upgrade list, but if you get upgraded, I'll make sure you get you free drinks.

Because the agents admitted as much "There were seats earlier, but we've had to bump people all day so they're all gone now"