Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 8,177
They may have it pre-assigned for an upgrade for a different guest that will be staying for fewer nights, and/or they know will be arriving later. Since upgrades are "based on availability at check-in," they can still list the room for sale. If they happen to sell it before that other guest arrives, then the upgrade is no longer available for that guest. If not, then the other guest gets it.