1. Your query is about EI and so best suited to the EI section: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/aer-l...rcle-club-718/

2. Seat maps are not a good indication of booked load, and does not take into account demand to come.

3. Many airlines do not release unsold seats to award inventory. For one, they want to protect close in revenue fare bookings.

The responses to your similar question about AS also apply: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...l#post26134521