I went through my emails in my trash bin and found 5 email with 4 of the last 5 flights clearing at T-4. Today's flight did the same and cleared at T-4.

For todays flight the F cabin had 10 seats open when I checked in at T-22. 3 hrs later around 11 am 6 seats were assigned. 6 hours later 2 more were assigned leaving 2 open. Like clockwork I got 1 of the seats at T-4.

No evidence but my gut feel tells me these seats are being snagged by OLCI offers. Good for the airline to increase revenue per flight. Can't say I blame them. I just wish they would be more transparent. Maybe they fear that the frequent flyer kettles can't "handle the truth".

Of course this is all speculation for this here forum. YMMV but the UG patterns have changed for my weekly route of the last 18 months. For 60+ RTS the 100hr UG window worked OK, meaning the UG was granted in the uppwr portion od the window and before check-in. For the last 5 weeks it has gone down to T-4. To be completely fair I have yet to miss the UG on a very soft elite route.

The point here is not the the UGS are not being granted but that the pattern at which they were granted for my parricular scenario has cnaged. 2 weeks is coincidence but 5 weeks in a row at T-4? You be the judge.

And yes I know... "If you want F then buy F".