I'm flying SEA-IAD today on a 757. Checked in at T-24 and noticed that only 13 seats had been booked. Was offered to buy an upgrade for $99. As departure approaches, 21 seats are how booked, 5 people show as cleared (who were never on the waitlist...not sure where they came from) and I'm starting to drop down the waitlist. I don't think I missed an upgrade on a 757 on PMUA (certainly not one is >10 seats available at T-24) as a 1K.
Is this a cutover waitlist problem? Or is the new United really going to try to squeeze every last drop out of the front cabin? If they're selling upgrades to GMs for $99 on a transcon (and for all I know, maybe they're charging them more), I think elite upgrades are going to be few and far between...
There is a thread (maybe the "tens of dollars" thread) that discusses this. The system is not supposed to offer dirt cheap upgrades like that if there are any elites on the waitlist. The buy up offers are supposed to be based on the difference between the purchased fare and the cheapest first fare available. In the past at CO there were some glitches that were supposedly fixed. Now they are back it would seem. Add this to the list of bugs that need to be repaired immediately.
I've also never not cleared SEA-IAD on a 757! If the $99 upgrade is still available I'd take it.. I doubt this is going to be fixed in time for your flight.