Originally Posted by
czarina
I've been u/g a few time without request or expense as a 2P/1P on a discounted ticket due to space reasons (say there is a family of 3 that want to sit together, and you're in that 3rd seat they'd like to have, so they move you up to Y/B). This is most commonly done during peak travel times (holidays/vacations) when people travel in groups.
There's a NAME for this kind of upgrade. It's called an "operational" upgrade (or just "op-up") and there are quite a number of threads on it in this forum.
However, op-ups are generally given at the gate -- NOT a day or two in advance. So it isn't likely that this is what is happening in this case.
Sometimes, depending on the airport/counter/gate/crew, I've been u/g just out of them being nice. This usually happens at BWI and IAD, where they crews are familiar with me.
Just enjoy it.
Again, the OP's upgrade is occurring in advance -- NOT at the gate -- so not likely that they are doing it to "be nice."