Originally Posted by Dan Garcia

I believe (I want to believe) that these sales are when it's expected that there will not be many or any elite upgrades in line. I checked my girlfriend into her IAH to GDL flight at the airport and they asked for $77 for a business class upgrade. OK, no problem.

There were about 7/14 unoccupied seats on that flight. Plus she was delayed 7 hours...so it gave her access to the United Club to wait. And saved her (me) $25 for checked baggage.

In my opinion it was a deal.