I’m looking for input - How are upgrades (Preferred, miles or purchased) handled on official US “blackout” dates? It seems US has blacked-out all award travel to Hawaii for Saturdays in July. I’d like to use miles to do an upgrade on my flight to HNL however am unable to do so because of the blackouts.

On a related note, any insights/speculation on WHY US would have blackout dates to Hawaii for Saturdays in July? From what I can see there appears to be plenty of available seats on these dates.