Originally Posted by
taupo
Bottom line for non-published upgrade space is the more expensive the fare the higher chance you have to be upgraded ahead of the T-24 gate window.
I have been the recipient of "non-published" upgrades from both Lat and PY Flex fares.
From an AC POV, only makes sense to reward the FFers who pay the most for a flight.
I'm not sure from AC's POV it makes sense to reward FFs who pay the most for a flight. Suppose you and I both fly ABC-DEF once a month, and AC's system is sophisticated enough to know the following:
- you paid $2000 for your latitude ticket, J is $500 more, and if you don't get upgraded on this route then darnit, next time you are buying J
- I paid $1500 for my latitude ticket, flex would have been only $700, and if I don't get upgraded on this route then darnit, next time I'm buying flex
Should AC give you the upgrade? If it's about rewarding loyalty, yes. If it's about maximizing revenue, no.
I doubt AC's system is making as fine-grained predictions at that, but it's not implausible that the algorithm is tailored beyond just the cost of the fare, fare brand, and status. If the computer gets enough data, it should start making predictions like the one above, where giving the hidden upgrade to the passenger on the lower fare is more likely to maximize revenue.