Upgrade question
 

I recently became NW Gold after having whizzed through SILVER so fast I never realized any of the benefits (by the time my SILVER status posted I was GOLD a week later!).

My question: If flying with other family members who have NO status or SILVER status (I am GOLD) but are all on the same itinerary, will NW still automatically give me an upgrade? It appears in the GOLD directory that I would have to call to insure any upgrade. Am I better off booking myself (GOLD) and my wife (SILVER) in seperate itineraries, and if travelling with 2 kids book them in their own itinerary and see about a companion upgrade the day of the flight? Any clarification here is much appreciated.

If you travel with a non-elite companion (both of you on the same reservation), you will not be upgraded automatically. You will have to call WP for a manual upgrade. They have to split the reservation. If you travel with a Silver elite, you both will upgrade 1 day before the travel date (as Silver elite).