CO's YUP strategy does at times seem to be directed at shifting passengers into higher fares at client and company expense. Although the vast majority of my business flying is for the entity of which I am the owner, I do have a policy that when I am billing a trip to a client, I never buy non-refundable tickets. That policy is clearly stated on our engagement letters. Funny, I have never had a client call and tell me that it is willing to pay for non-refundable ticket and the penalties when I have to cancel or reschedule. I have seen routings for which CO's sole completely refundable fare is the YUP fare.

Even in those instances in which CO is selling a refundable B or H fare on the short haul Texas routes, frequently the difference between the refundable fare and the YUP is not significant.

Bottom line, I don't see that many opportunties for client or boss chiseling on CO on the short hauls out of IAH, unless the client / boss is willing to eat the cost of unused, non-fundable fares or the penalties for changes.