Originally Posted by
airzim
Sorry I disagree. Offering someone a $79 upsell (again assuming all Elites have been accommodated) frees up a seat in coach which allows you to accommodate another passenger on the plane. The alternative was either upgrade someone for free, or have the First seat go empty and spill the revenue. Trust me, the airline is not going to let a seat go empty if it has the opportunity to sell it.
I can tell you there are people who claim upsell can happen before all elite upgrades have been processed. I am one of them. I have seen something that convinced me.
Also, a $79 upsell cheapens the F product, doesn't it? Why would anyone pays for much higher fares, if/when there is a good chance of getting the upsell at $79?