As I've said before, I would like to see an honest rendition of available seats. It is obvious to me that many choice premium seats are listed as "occupied" MANY MANY months before flights in identical templates which is why I'm sure they are actually available, but only to higher status OP members.

Today I am trying to ticket an itinerary and am given ONLY the option of FC fare on a certain routing. So maybe Economy is full, I wonder? NO, when I check Economy seat availability, there is PLENTY of availability in preferred seating to which I am entitled as an elite. But no fare is shown for economy.

Having recently ticketed myself on the same itinerary, I am also displeased that I was unable to secure exit row seats (all shown as occupied just yesterday) as a lowly silver, but when I went ahead and priced out the itinerary that included the (forced) FC segments, suddenly all of those exit rows are wide open.

There is some sophisticated psychological manipulation of those loyal customers like myself who try to ticket themselves via CO.com.

I for one don't appreciate the chicanery, and believe that it is unworthy of what HAS BEEN a most straightforward and, I THOUGHT honest airline.