Originally Posted by
baliktad
Hmm. Not sure if I like this one. It's hard to begrudge AS money by saying they should restrict paid upgrades from people who are willing to pay money, but this seems like a cheap shot.
Because elites should all be upgraded anyway at this point, the biggest impact to elites is limiting the same-day change options. Now all customers have a shot at a U seat starting at T-24, but I can only switch to a new flight starting at midnight.
Edit: AS lists W (coach award tickets) as eligible for paid upgrades:
I agree. Why not simply make all fare classes eligible at the gate? At T-24 it's going to result in fewer SDC first class seats for elites. I really hate having to make the choice between a first class seat and an earlier flight in coach. At the very least, bring back SDC at T-24 for elites, to allow us to counter-act this change (and they can sell the FC seat we vacate, to lessen the revenue impact). That would also lessen the problem with DL elites upgrading before SDCing Alaska elites.
I'm afraid this is the first step in adopting a United-style upgrade system, which would be a troubling development indeed.