R bucket availability
 

Is there an online tool that shows R availability (besides pay-services like expertflyer)?

And can somebody explain what elite free unconfirmed standby means?

BTW: I'm trying to book a one-way from NBO to DTW, and the prices (usually around $2K) are double the usual rates. I want to be a loyal flyer, but AA is going for $1600 and I'm just not that loyal. Is anybody else finding current international NW rates this exorbitant?

No. Unfortunately, R class comes with a price. But you can do a "mileage upgrade" search on nwa.com and see what pops up...
A search for "elite standby" will get you what you need. :)

Got it. So another question then: if I get a successful standby, will NW upgrade at the gate?

Depends on whether there's R class available. If yes, you'll get the upgrade on the spot. If not, waitlist.

At the gate you don't need R class availability, just open F. But as a Silver, you'd be at the bottom of the upgrade pool, but still a chance.

As a GE or PE, a successful standby will also put you ahead of the SEs on the waitlist. If plenty of availability upfront, you'll generally be automatically issued an F boarding pass when they process standbys. For example, a couple of months ago my wife and I, traveling on award tickets, were standing by for an earlier connection and even on award tix (Mrs. has no status), we were both issued F boarding passes at the gate.

Generally speaking, the GA will dump whatever open seats are available into R class to process the upgrade list.

GAs are known not to do this and upgrade folks out of F class, but that's usually not the norm.

Ok...I always wondered how that really worked at the gate. I'd say 95% of my BF upgrades have posted as flown "F" rather than "R," thus my assumption.