Originally Posted by
isaacchambers
To clarify...
Alaska is "selling paid upgrades" per se. They are wanting people to pay full price F class cash ticket. There is no United "dollars for F class seats" happening here upon checkin.
It is U space you are looking for. I highly recommend a basic subscription to expertflyer to check the availability. It is revenue management that will release seats during the upgrade period as they feel they cannot sell seats in F class to U class.
Ironically, I just booked a transcon RT - "I" on the outbound, but the return was $$$$ up front (didn't see if it was J or C) but there was instant upgrade "U" space and the "B" fare is what I'd have easily paid for an "I" ticket, so I'm up front, and earning 150% EQMs both ways. Surprised at this outcome, but the only potential downside is with IROPS, AS will likely not put me in an OA cushy seat.