So first off, let me say thank you to EVGA for offering such a great program and wonderful customer service. Not many companies are trying to go above and beyond to help their customers by letting them upgrade to newer technology. It might be a slow process but I cannot blame them because in the end, they are taking things a step above everyone else by offering you to upgrade to a brand new upgrade for simply the price difference. So to EVGA and its wonderful team, I say thank you!
 
Now for the more important part. Since everyone is wondering about timelines I thought I would share my experience with step-up and my timeline in hopes to give you a better idea and possibly help you estimate when to expect your turn.
 
I am stepping up from an EVGA 980TI Hybrid. Invoice and everything was uploaded upon registering the card.
 
5/28/2016 - Received confirmation email for Step 1 of submitting step-up request to step up to the EVGA 1080 ACX3.0 (08G-P4-6181-KR).
6/22/2016 - Received an email notifying me that due to the delay, I am being upgraded to the EVGA 1080 SC model (08G-P4-6183-KR).
8/4/2016 - Received an email offering me to downgrade back to my original card (non-SC model). I did not accept the offer and chose to wait.
9/23/2015 (Friday) @ 5:30pm PST - Received email informing me that my turn to step-up had come around and telling me they will review my invoice that I had already uploaded! YAY! Basically step 2 of 5.
9/23/2015 (Friday) @ ~6:30pm PST - Received email telling me invoice had been verified and it was time to submit my payment. Step 3 of 5.
Had some trouble paying so couldn't pay until after hours so payment wasn't processed completely until Monday.
9/26/2015 (Monday) @ 10am PST - Received email telling me to ship the product and what to do and where to send my old card. Step 5 of 5.
9/26/2015 (Monday) @ 5:15pm PST - Mailed out card at UPS store (post office was closed). Cost me $25 for ground shipping (with $700 insurance... ouch!)... this was bad considering I live 20 minutes away from the delivery address but I can't complain.
9/27/2015 (Tuesday) - Tracking number shows package delivered to EVGA.
9/28/2015 (Wednesday) - UPS notifies me that I have a package coming my way from EVGA (MY 1080 SHIPPED!!!!).
9/29/2015 (Today - Thursday) - EVGA sends me an email that my graphics card has shipped even though I already knew it was on its way from UPS!! Also, it's supposed to arrive today!! YAY!!
9/29/2015 (NOW) - Sitting on pins and needles waiting for UPS to ring my doorbell so I can get my new toy!
 
Overall, process was long but remember that this is a convenient incentive offered by EVGA that they don't have to do so quit whining and be patient. If you can't be patient, you could lose some money by selling your card and buying a new one.
 
To EVGA, this isn't intended to be a complaint but rather a suggestion I think could make things better for both you and us (your customers). I really with EVGA would allow for will-call drop-off and pickup for both step-up and RMA warranty problems. It would make things faster, easier, and cost effective for those near your office/warehouse. $25 for shipping a package what would be a 20 minute trip is ridiculous because of the insurance. It would be better if it were possible to just walk-in/set-up an appointment and do it in person. I know many people would really want this so I hope EVGA is listening.
 
Once again, thanks EVGA and the community for answering questions (I don't post a lot but definitely browse a lot of the forums). Good luck to those still waiting... just be patient.
 
Where are you UPS driver... I'm waiting... lol.
 
UPDATE 9/29/16 11:45pm - UPS showed up after I left to work... :( Driver came by around 6:30pm, rang the doorbell, left the package, and walked away. Luckily someone was home and brought it in but seriously... no signature, nothing?!?! (I've got a doorbell camera due to previous package thefts so I saw him literally drop the package and walk away) Whatever, it doesn't matter since I now have the card. Just came home from work and super excited to play with it but I've got work early in the morning so I just satisfied myself at least by installing it lol. Good luck to everyone else.

Hoping they ship mine out today too, so I can also receive it tomorrow. They received it yesterday. Thanks so much for the timeline! :D

If it's shipping by UPS, I don't think they deliver on Saturdays.. :/


Edit: UPS next day air does deliver on Saturday, so maybe :)

Shipped mine out Saturday. Got there Wednesday and they marked it received same day. I just got the shipping notification from UPS to expect a package from EVGA tomorrow. :D Really happy.

The queue must be accelerating, finally!  Even early September (first week), they were marking as received the day after it arrived and shipped the next day.  Things are looking up for the rest of you.  Good Luck!

Before step-up, I registered my product online with EVGA. When I did that, they gave me the option to upload my invoice for warranty/RMA/Step-up purposes. They used that same invoice for the step-up program.

Edit: Just got an e-mail from UPS that the new video card is in the mail. Too bad it's Next Day Air Saver and it is not projected to arrive until Monday. Oh well, I waited 4 months I guess I can wait a couple more days.