Originally Posted by
formeraa
No. I believe that the OP is saying that s/he has to buy their tickets at the last minute. The OP is entitled to E+ free of charge as a 1K, but is finding that a lot of people are paying the upgrade fee and E+ is very crowded. So, the OP is in a crowded E+ section with a potentially undesirable middle seat, while E- is virtually empty. I've never experienced this, but it can vary substantially by route.
Oh, got it. I still can't feel to bad that the seats are being purchased, that's a good thing for United and they can't leave them empty just so an elite flyer can move up when they fly. If it's a big deal, I guess the OP or anyone could move back to the "virtually empty" E- and just get a row to themselves, which would be just as good probably.
AD