Oh I don't think the OP was acting over entitled in any way, but like me is interested in seeing the lie of the land concerning op-ups these days. I must say, it's not the sort of thing I would post here, because I know what sort of responses would end up being posted. That said, it's good to check back in with this topic from time to time.

My feeling is that computer systems have become so much more sophisticated at predicting load factors, that op-ups have become a lot less frequent. The last one I had was in 2007 (on KL from EDI to AMS). I do not count being invited to sit in business on WA (KLM cityhopper) as an op-up on the DUS-AMS route: exactly the same service, such a short flight. But last November I was on AA from New York to Chicago, then on to Dusseldorf, and I was 'upgraded' to Main Cabin Extra, the premium economy section of AA. Was that an op-up? I sort of think it was, for it made the flight a lot more bearable with the extra legroom, and was in that mini-cabin on the 767 between business and normal economy. At New York LGA, the check in agent liked my British accent and black secret services hat, as far as I can make out. He said he was able to override the system and offer me a nicer seat that day! Economy was not overbooked, plenty space.