I'm well within the three day window on this flight and it is showing: (thanks etour.jp!!)

NW 746 MSP 1657 DTW 1944 320 0
P3 F5 Y4 B3 M3 H1 Q1 V1 K0

Yet, no auto upgrade for a Gold. I called and they told me that there were only seats for sale. If true, shouldn't the above read F0?

BTW, this is for 5/29 flights

I think you should call back...unless I am missing something, I cant see why you didnt get upgraded based on those numbers.

Checked the ITN site and got:

P3 F0 Y4 B3 M3 H1 Q1 V1 K0

That would explain it!

If that is the case, you may have to wait until the 29th for an upgrade. There is still hope! Keep looking at the P3, that may change (unlikely). The P3 will get more likely get released at the gate.
Best of luck.

I never trust the F class bucket on any online listing other than ITN. In most cases, other sites will just post the same number for F as they have for P. This is not correct most of the time.

Well, for the first time as transferred NW Gold, I didn't get upgraded. That makes 11 out 12! MSP - DTW, according the staff working the counter is close to impossible to get an upgrade for a gold on a restricted fare, just too much competition!

It was more interesting watching the silvers approach the podium and be told no flat out. Guess I need to avoid the hub to hub runs if I want to be upgraded!

Well, if you want to do a mathematical approach...

Since NW does wingtip flights between hubs with different aircraft types, maybe tend toward ones with a higher F to Y ratio. I'm too lazy to do the math but there's a ratio difference in a 320 vs. a 757 vs. a DC9.

In my years as mid and upper tier, I've had decent luck on MSP-DTW and occasional MSP-MEM... although it's been a year or two since I've flown those routes.

On a hub-to-hub flight it would be tough to get upgraded as a Gold, impossible as a Silver. If they have 3 flights leaving within minutes of each other, I tend to book the last one because most have the tendency to book as early as possible which tends to increase the competition.

More importantly, based on your ITN figures, were they soliciting for volunteers?

Typically the only routes I find it hard as a gold are NW DTW-MSP and reverse and CO MSP-EWR and reservse...all other routes I don't have much of a problem

I would agree that DTW to MSP and the reverse is tough, same with DTW to MEM. SEA to DTW can also be impossible. Since I hit Gold last year it's much easier. This year I'm over 80%

I was checking for an upgrade on a MSP to RNO flight June 1st AM and line told me "nothing yet - we scan 4 or 5 times a day - but there are 1C seats available"... What is she trying to tell me?? If they are available, and is in the three day window period..don't they allote the seats to elites?? Something does not make sense here?? In past was always advised withing the three day period or told " no seats "..etc... ???????? anyone have an idea??

She is trying to tell you that there are still 1C seats available for sale and they have not be allocated for the elite upgrades yet. If the computer thinks they are not saleable by its criteria then the answere is not. It is the way it has always been Have you been advised that you were on the waiting list. Last week as a plat I did not even make the waiting list for msp-sfo. This makes two times this year that I have not been upgraded on the sfo-msp seg. In years past as a gold it was 100% year in and year out. Not sure what is happening here other than a lot of fat wallets have transferred to nw Make sure you have the best available coach seat lined up and you check-in online as early as possible.

[This message has been edited by magic111 (edited 05-31-2003).]