Originally Posted by
StayingHomeIsBetter
I submitted to the extortion and purchased the EC upgrade at full price since PAX had no status, and over the objection of the PAX who is very petite, doesn't drink, and is tighter with a dollar than I am (despite my Scots heritage).
I went up on the website the next day, and there were now plenty of non-EC Y seats available.
Supposedly if you paid for EC but don't sit in EC you get a refund. You might try switching seats. (Can't say I've seen this firsthand, though. Call first?)