I'm planning a trip to Europe next spring and I want to buy two coach tickets and upgrade to Business with miles. UA has only 1 upgrade available on each flight, even flights where there are no business seats sold or taken at all. The International desk said it was "very likely" the upgrades would clear but I'm not buying an $1,800 coach ticket without a firm upgrade.

I called Delta and they can book me right now with confirmed upgrades. I set up a reservation on UA that will expire in 3 days, and if UA can't confirm the upgrades by then, I'll go over and book on Delta (and get the better Delta BusinessFirst service).

I guess UA would say they have a chance to sell those C seats, even though they're cutting out the SFO-CDG non-stop soon. It's sort of like the Colorado Rockies saying they can't pay higher player salaries since fewer fans go to the games because they lose so much.

Fortunately, a few years ago I began spreading my mile earning around and I am in a position to shop around. I already use a Delta Amex for most purchases, and we got rid of one of two United credit cards. I think it's about time to go with Starwood and a Visa/MC that lets you aim miles at the time of use, not when you earn them.