Originally Posted by
enviroian
FWIW if that was a United bird flying to Chicago from Las Vegas there wouldn't be 14 empty seats. They would be filled up with either 1K's or last minute FCM sales. As a plat you'd never get a complimentary upgrade on that flight. That's why AA's system is so much better. It lets you pick and choose what flight you want to have an upgrade shot at just not across the board putting you in a pool with EVERYONE.
I cleared more on upgrades using 500 milers as a American Platinum FAR MORE than I got comp upgrades as a UA 1K
+1,000,000!
I was 1k on UA for many years and their switch to "unlimited" domestic upgrades for
all elites was basically the WORST thing that happened to the Mileage Plus program. You can mostly forget about trying to get a UDU on UA as a mid-tier elite.
I'll also add that I don't mind when a non-rev gets to sit in the F cabin on AA. If there are no pax eligible/willing to pay for the upgrade then let the working folks enjoy the ride.