Originally Posted by
formeraa
I don't see how $320-$500 is outrageous for a business trip between AUS and EWR. Fares were commonly that high in the late 70's and early 80's WITHOUT adjusting for inflation. We have had a decade of artificially low airfares due to 9/11 and generally poor economic conditions. Now, it's time for the airlines to be able to make a reasonable profit.
In 2003 and 2004 I regularly flew nonstop between AUS and EWR. No matter when you bought your ticket the only thing available was full Y at $1,800. And the planes were full. A WSJ story at the time had a list of the 10 most expensive domestic routes and this was near the top.
It wasn't too bad after I finally earned my NW Silver status and I would get the upgrade at booking. Then DL introduced their "Simplifares" in early 2005, which capped domestic tickets at around $1,200 RT. CO reduced AUS-EWR to that level but made it an H fare (today's B fare) so no more auto upgrades.
Anyway, advance purchase nonstop fares from AUS to EWR are normally very reasonable these days. However, I do sympathize with the OP on upgrades out of AUS. In 2008 and 2009 I was 39/45 for upgrades on CO. All but one of my misses were between AUS and IAH. The other one was between AUS and EWR.