Originally Posted by
mahasamatman
So you don't think UA should bother selling C seats at all and just make them available to 1Ks? UA is a business. If they can sell seats, they will (and should). As has been said repeatedly in a number of threads - if it's that important to you, buy the seat. Upgrades are a benefit, not a right.
No, I agree that you've a very valid point. United is a business, and they need to make cash. But my point them becomes why stick to United if they don't give you the perk of an upgrade? I mean, people fly just to get these miles (mileage runs, something I've never heard of before I found flyertalk), spend all this cash on United, and then get screwed in the end without an upgrade. If I wanted to just fly coach international, I would simply pick the cheapest and best airline without regard to possible upgrade.
We all know that these frequent flier programs are basically "deals" so to speak. We do a lot of business with the one particular airline, and they reward us with something--either a free ticket or an upgrade. We all know that 50,000 miles is *not* worth a free ticket. A transcontinental ticket is 400-700 dollars. 30,000 miles costs $1000! If you get a saver award, it's basically a wash. Especially since most of these tickets are simply not available when you try to book them.
The other thing they can offer you is upgrades. Well, if you can't get the upgrade in these seats, what's the incentive to be in UA frequent flyer program?