New to FT so apologies if this has been mentioned before.

I purchased an upgrade using $$ and miles but as of now am waitlisted with no guarantee that I'll get it. I've done this in the past (pre-merger) but was charged only after it was confirmed that I got the upgrade.

So now if I don't get the upgrade, I now have to monitor my account to ensure that they give me a refund.

What kind of business practice is this? Why am I loaning them the $$ for the upgrade with no guarantee that I'm going to get it?

I didn't fly CO before the merger so I don't know if that's how they work.. is this how the "new" United works?