Just got back from SEA, and checked in online about 24 hours before departure, and when I saw the "if available you are eligible" screen, I knew I was still in coach. Snagged a better seat, since the golds and plats were moved to FC, and just printed my boarding pass.

There was no line to speak of at checkin at SeaTac, so I stopped and asked if there's a chance for upgrade, and they told me I've already been upgraded. However, just like the other time this happened to me, NO EMAIL. Do I have to sign up for it?

It was a "99% full flight" and I tried to volunteer for a bump, but they said they won't need any. Of course I saw a thread about a Flyertalk member who was upgraded, but then refused a bump, since he was already in FC, so I asked about the bump before accepting the FC seating.

Also another question, one that may (or may not) warrant its own thread:

My mother used to fly to conferences (ten to fifteen years ago), and got upgraded several times (mostly Lufthansa out of Canada) to FC because coach was full, only needed one seat, and most others were thraveling as couples or groups.

The Question is, would CO do this to avoid having to do a voluntary bump and give a travel voucher, or are they keeping the integrity of First Class?

BTW, there was one empty FC seat on that SEA-IAH.

EmailKid