Originally Posted by
UAPremierExec
The travel agent sold you a consolidator fare or net fare, and then added a markup (commission) to match the public fare. Which, is legal. But ethically they should have advised you that s/he was selling you a special negotiated fare and shown you the restrictions (terms & conditions). The fare rules, at least in the States, are very clear when an upgrade can or can't be applied.
+100. It frustrates me so much when TA's do this without informing clients of the (potentially many) drawbacks. Especially when they charge the same price, or more!
Sure, it's possible that there is a special agreement between the TA and the company that allows this, but I wouldn't be surprised if not either. I have seen many times where passengers were unaware and had issues later (including non-corporate bookings).