Originally Posted by sbm12
There's a reason you don't get the EUA on EWR-DCA as a platinum...I'm in your seat
This is a big business market, similar to the DL/US shuttle markets, but for the people who use CO or the EWR market, this is the better option (I live in Manhattan, equidistant between LGA/EWR, but fly CO as my primary carrier, and I like the upgrades). The majority of the seats sold to these business travellers are Y, with a smattering of N mixed in (these are the only two fare classes I've seen on the route for non-saturday stay itins). Booking 3 weeks out I can get W fares with a saturday-night stay, but my travel plans for work aren't concrete enough to book that. I buy my Y fare and take my instant elite upgrade and plop down in F when I get on the plane. I only get them on the DCA-EWR segment; the 6:50am EWR-DCA on Monday morning is always full by the time I get to booking.
Sorry for taking your seat, but I'm paying more, and CO rewards me for that. Knowing that this is such a business/Y fare last minute market, CO doesn't release too many seats for EUA. It is a business game. If I wasn't getting the F upgrades, I'd probably switch back over to DL (crediting the points to CO). The schedules are tons better, and there are no RJs on the route.
S.
Actually, my company buys "A" fares on most routes and thus I am always in FC without the need for EUA. However, when I am traveling on my own dime, I really would not care about such a short flight where the only benefit to flying FC is free drinks served in a glass and a large seat.
Granted, if it were to go over the bookd flight time FC would be of a benefit but that is the exception rather than the rule.
Dan