Originally Posted by
ocn2ocn
Given the difficulty of upgrading internationally (especially to Asia), it would make more sense -- in the cases where there is no confirmable upgrade seats -- to allow customers to pay the lowest available fare and if the waitlist clears for the ugraded class -- to collect the fare difference at that point. Its not right to require the purchase of a higher fare class when there may not be any realistic chance for the upgrade space to clear.
I wish that would be the case, but this change is not going to help UA generate any additional revenue, I doubt it will happen. Looking at CO is switching to the same SWU rule next year. W+ fare or above is going to stay. Last year was a bad year for SWUs, failed 4 H fare upgrade but still end up burning 8/10 so far w/ 1 pending. Flying on holidays seem to be the sure way to burn SWUs this past year.