Originally Posted by
sts603
the lack of free upgrades have nothing to do with the EU compensation rules. (1) There are essentially no airlines that have elaborate upgrade schemes other than those in the US and Canada. (2) The lack of European upgrades has always been the case - not new when the EU rules were implemented a few years back. (3) Its simply that European carriers believe that only allowing for paid/award J in J (and the isolated upgrade offers for cash) will earn more revenue than earning loyalty by elites by giving out free upgrades. U.S. carriers feel otherwise. Who knows who is right. But for both, the decision is made because they believe it maximizes revenue.
Everything costs something. Everyone wants everything. Everyone wants more for less. It's that simple.
Don't focus on UG's. Focus on everything. But, remember it costs $. How much more are you prepared to pay for an air ticket so that someone can get a windfall of $1,300 for an inconvenience? Note that in the US domestic market, there aren't even meals in steerage? Why not, because people don't want to pay for them.