Originally Posted by
roberto99
An interesting gamble that UA is engaging in with a pax holding a full fare refundable ticket.
Whenever this pax has enough of the game, he/she can bail on the ticket and buy from another carrier and UA gets nothing!
I don't see a gamble here - it's a business and all activity was done according to their rules. If the OP wants a seat assigned beforehand, then they should buy their ticket earlier when the seats are more likely to be available.
The OP seems to be a nervous traveler and wants everything just so prior to day of travel. It's sometimes difficult to accomplish these days with reduced capacity and increased loads. Live with it or stay home - this is not limited to UA by any means.