But as my own companion, I do not have to pay up front or at all, even if the flight is full.
If the flight has a connection or more than one leg as a direct flight, you do not get a refund if any segment is oversold.
Refund advice slip is here.
I do not have to pay up front nor do I have to wait for a refund.
So far, 3 of 7 flights have been oversells and asking for volunteers. Two of those included non-oversold connections for which I would not have gotten a connection.
Out of the four flights, directs, NS and connections, two did not have sell outs on at least one leg. I have been doing a lot of Sunday and Friday travel, so mid week travel may be different.