Originally Posted by
mecabq
The lost revenue is essentially nil in either case, given that it's a standby upgrade on the day of travel -- i.e., the seat would essentially go out vacant otherwise. I guess a GPU user could in some circumstances trump someone who was upgrading with cash and/or miles, though I wonder if LH's prioritization of these upgrades would allow that.
OK, upfront you have to recall that LH has no problem with flying around empty C seats. We are talking about an European airline here, no Lorenzo BS there.
LH has no complex systematic/automated prioritisation mechanism for the grading list. If there is space and the FM has no problems filling the cabin because everything is catered for, the paper GPU upgrade will clear instantly the moment all the data is entered. The category used is 'M&M upgrade', so the mechanism is the same whether you use M&M miles/vouchers or a GPU. If the capacity is not available you end up on the grading list with every other open case for that flight (upgrades, rebookings without seat, employees on standby, etc) and the FM goes thru the list at his/her leisure to process the seating. GPU/miles/evouchers grading requests are normally considered before the employees are seated or any op-ups are handed out.