This has been my experience. Even an experienced IAH GA was surprised to see my name 5 times on the upgrade standby list (I had canceled out of OLCI 5x; was on a long MR and no access to an availability tool). I got the BF upgrade in the end, but experiences do tend to show that even if you cancel out of OLCI, so long as you click that Yes button when it asks you for an upgrade, you're on the waitlist, AFAIK.

Remember, your 23:59 and my 23:59 could vary depending on if a connection is involved.

for example, I could fly out of CLT at 7:00 AM, and then connect in DTW at 11:30. If you were originating in DTW, you couldn't check in until 11:30 the previous morning, while I could check in 4.5 hours earlier.

I've not had that experience... I've always only been able to OLCI 23:59 before all segments, not just the originating segment. Even being in DTW, I've flown through CLE/MEM/MSP/MKE/IND a few times, and I wasn't able to OLCI for those connections until 23:50.

I can't speak for non-stop flights with layovers in a hub, but at least for connecting lay-overs with different planes and flight numbers, I had to wait until 23:59 before each segment.

Also, doing OLCI at 23:59 also has another benefit... DSA seats.

Steve B.

That is not my experience at all. Maybe you should call Northwest when you try this next time. You should be able to check in for your entire itinerary (up to 4 flights I think it is) at the 23:59 mark of your first flight.

I never have a problem doing this and often do it for LHR-AMS-MSP-SEA. I'll check-in at the 23:59 mark for LHR-AMS and my 3 boarding passes will be printed along with being able to check seats, etc.

Let's say I'm flying at 10am from LHR. That means it is 4am in MSP. Then let's say my flight from MSP-SEA leaves at 5pm. That means I'm checking in for my last flight (MSP-SEA) 37 hours ahead of time. I've never had a problem doing this.

-RM

One should have no problem checking in for their entire itinerary 24 hours prior to the departure of the first segment. That's why MSP/DTW elites heading west bound are disadvantaged when compared to those making a connection in MSP/DTW. These connecting elites are able to check-in earlier than our hub captives, getting themselves on the standby list earlier or snagging an R class seat earlier if available.

Still have not checked in on line based on the advice from the elite desk this morning. Still no upgrade. Called the elite desk again to see if any fc seats had been "released" and to ask the question about the impact of olci on the chances of an upgrade for a full flight. The agent did not know, but offered to check with "someone." After a few minutes she said that after olci, you are taken off the list that the computer checks during the periodic "sweep." I am getting the feeling that olci is not a good thing to do for a full flight with few fc seats.

The problem with this approach of holding off on the 23:59 check-in and waiting for the morning sweeps is that if "R" seats are released, anyone checking in (regardless of elite level!) will snag them. You could be a plat hoping for that 7am EUA run while the "R" seats were released 4 hours earlier. Someone checks in at 4am and gets the seat - leaving you in the back.

It's a catch 22 and I think most people are going to have different feelings/opinions about what they want to do. Some would rather check-in at 23:59 and get higher on the list knowing that they have removed themselves from any further EUA run until battlefield upgrades are given out. Others will want to hold off on OLCI and continually try to snag an "R" seat until flight time, knowing that if EUA runs they have a shot of a seat based on elite level and other factors but also knowing that when it comes to the battlefield situation they are probably lower down the list.

I wish NW would fix this. It still bugs me that "R" seats are released well before an EUA run and people checking in with a lower status than those on the list or those already checked in can snag those FC seats. It's worse than the lotto.

-RM

I know you wish they would fix it, but as a Silver it's about the only shot I have at an UG on any elite heavy route .

I managed a 23:59 OLCI UG on a full A320 out of SNA and I felt pretty good about it, especially after 6 hrs EWR-SNA on CO in Y. I don't think we will ever know exactly how it works. Maybe we shouldn't, 'cause what would we have left to talk about then?

No upgrade @ 5 AM for a 7 AM departure. Decided to check in on line for boarding passes before going to the airport. Was upgraded at the airport for both my son and me (same PNR). Adjacent seats to MSP, 1d/4d seats from MSP to TUS. I am not sure what the learning is here, other than NOT checking in on line did not result in an upgrade via "the sweep" and I did not suffer by not checking in on line and was still able to get the upgrade at the airport. Complicating variables: companion upgrade on same PNR, direct flight with a stop and equipment change, platinum status, B fare ($$$).

However, the correct course of action for NWA would be to ensure all seats are given out based on:

Status level
fare purchased
time of purchase
number of miles flown in current year
time of OLCI

We could have a debate of where "number of miles flown in current year" fits in the scheme of things. I think this would be a good start. Not sure if "time of OLCI" should even be a factor (many flyers may not have access to a computer right at the 24 hour window.)

BTW....I do not think the 12 Plats in front of me on the UG stand by list where connecting through PSP....does anyone connect through PSP on NWA?

I agree that OLCI order should not matter for upgrade priority.

Just out of curiosity, who does early OLCI vs. not? Until this most recent trip, I did feeling that taking some action would increase my chances.

Maybe we should start another thread with a poll...

Well, aren't I surprised. I checked-in some family members last night (was able to snag them some great row-5 seats), and was able to OLCI for the complete itinerary (even the 2nd segment, more then 24 hours pre-departure). They are leaving from a non-hub, going through another hub, them landing at another hub. I've never been able to do this, when departing from a hub... maybe I'll book an MR from a hub, just to try this out...

Steve B.

I have experienced both, can't remember whether is was the hub factor or not? Seems living/flying out of a hub city has it draw backs....higher fares, less competition....maybe we can add OLCI / UG opportunities?