Originally Posted by ozstamps
We all know many of those seats will STAY empty.
My entire point is by clearing the few upgrades now they have they'd also be able to sell some coach seats at full Y or B or M ... many last minute travellers will consider that - and even many biz folks whose company simply will not spring for $10,000.
Win, win for UA.
It's been my experience that 9 out of 10 legs SFO-NRT go out full, so I dont think the seats stay empty.
Rather, I think United knows exactally how many people on the "oversold" list are waiting for upgrades. So if it is oversold by 60, 45 of them are waiting to upgrade to C and they figure 15 are no shows. (I'm making up the numbers) So if they upgrade a pax now to C they can NOT sell another ticket in Y without having to bump somebody at the airport. Are they willing to bump somebody for a B or Y fare, probably not, but you bet that they will bump people for a pax who wants to pay 10K!