Originally Posted by
Cheetah_SA
If it is unlikely that the price at the airport will be less than the minimum bid, then presumably the best strategy is to make the minimum bid and, if unsuccessful, have another go at the airport?
Given that the at-the-airport amount seems to be entirely negotiated on the fly and in cash, it seems to be a bit of a gamble. With an online bid that's accepted, you at least have a "guarantee" of the upgrade and the "system" would automatically spit out your new BP for the upgraded seat. At the gate seems to be just a random convergence of offer, willingness to accept and acceptance without the "system" backing up the whole transaction.