Originally Posted by
GodErnst
January 4, 2012 UA881 ORD-NRT on W fare
Booked on 11/10. #6 on waiting list. Only 1 upgrade from Y->C cleared.
January 5, 2012 UA881 NRT-SIN on W fare.
C was oversold and they were looking for volunteers to downgrade from C->Y for $500!
I was also 0/2 on SIN-NRT-ORD in December. Maybe it's my bad luck, but C bookings between US and Asia seem to be doing quite well.
Nowadays, I only book upgradable fare that I know I have reasonable chance for success (ex. holiday, Christmas day, New Year day, Chinese New Year, all have relatively low business travelers.), NRT-SIN will become one of the most difficult one since the HKG-SIN went to 738. I would think is nearly impossible if you book "direct" flight 881/882 from ORD.