I am booked with my father on LX 40 ZRH-LAX in W and called the SEN line to upgrade the both of us to C. We are both currently on waitlist.

Any idea how long it takes for those upgrades to clear?

Mea culpa if this was the 3000th time somebody ask this question

 

From my experience, anything is possible:
a. Upgrade request clears immediately
b. A few days/weeks after booking, but way ahead of departure
c. A few days before the flight
d. Have to request upgrade again at the airport and it get only cleared after check-in is closed
e. Do not get upgrade at all (recent flight SFO-ZRH in V - despite being LX SEN (and therefore hopefully rather high in the food chain))

In my experience, the distribution of the 5 scenarios is almost equal.

 

Thanks for your quick reply! Do you think it would help at all if I give them a call or pass by their ticketing desk at the airport?

 

In my experience, this does not make any difference. Called the SEN hotline beforehand several times, even begging the flight manager at the airport. If there is availability, you will get the upgrade, if C is fully booked or predicted to be fully booked, no chance.
I read on this forum that I class availability is re-evaluated every week until one week before the flight and then daily. The I-waitlist is deleted (in my experience) once the check-in opens (i.e. 23h before departure). So you have to place your upgrade wish again: Always when I check-in and mention that I am waitlisted for an upgrade the check-in agent at the airport tells me that they do not have anything on file. So I have to provide my M&M PIN (or certain digits thereof) again. Sometimes they write my name on a list (e.g. in PVG) that is then handed over to the flight manager who makes the final decision.
What is not clear to me is whether the SEN hotline agents are able to see where on the waitlist you are. I have been told several times that the phone agents are not able to see it, but was also told a few times that I am #1 on the list. But probably this was a lie to get rid of me.

 

Just recieved a mail from LX to confirm my upgrade.

Thanks Viennafly for your answers to my questions!