Originally Posted by
emcampbe
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Or, they were assigned the middle E+ in the back, and decided if they were going to be in middle seats scattered anyway, they might as well buy up for extra legroom (maybe they wanted to game to get into E+, and decided when that didn't work, they would pay if it was the only choice). Some people, despite wanting to pay as little as possible for one thing, will 'splurge' for something else. Also, somewhat easier for many to take a $30 purchase (or whatever), vs. adding another $30 to a $250 ticket to make it $280 at once (there's a reason every time I've looked up ULCCs and added up the extras needed for me, its never cheaper than the legacies).
I don't disagree about the drip pricing strategy. But do you know anyone who would actually pay for a solo E+ middle seat (i.e. between two strangers)? And waits until the last minute to do so? I sure don't. On AS, DL and AA, I have paid extra for E+ and for even for assigned E- aisle seats
but only because I want to avoid a middle seat or to seat family in the same row. I would never ever consider paying for a E+ middle seat. So I find it inconceivable that someone who bought BE fares for the entire family is going to pay $100 per person ($300-400 instantly) to upgrade to E+
The only real life situation that I find similar is paying $40 for early boarding at the gate on WN. But that guarantees you almost any seat on the plane - never a middle seat.