Originally Posted by FlyDeltaJets87

The someone "losing out" (if they even view it that way) is the person who received the upgrade that IS entitled to one though and gave it away through their own free-will (or perhaps through coercion from the spouse ). It's "zero-sum". If I get an upgrade and my significant other doesn't, either I or she will be sitting in the FC seat. No other passenger is losing out in my decision.