Originally Posted by mdjtlj
Bravo, the eloquence and absolute correctness of the statement by COInsider is unprecedented on this 24 hr BF upgrade subject. I would rather see CO sell these seats for the price that the market demands, rather than turning the whole process of BF upgrades into a carnival which could adversely affect revenue maximization. I'm perfectly content with the policy and glad that CO is holding the line on this.
Indeed! Let's not all of us forget that while we love the front of the plane, there's a reason we love it, it has a cash value and the company really must be allowed to try to GET that price for it. I myself and shocked at hte amount of upgrades I get domestically (I realize we're talking BF here but the same argument still applies) and it is clearly a SPACE AVAILABLE product. I have gotten upgrades on $250 transcons and I am hugely grateful for each and every one of them but I know it would be far better for the airline that treats you like they actually want your business to be SELLING that product. The upgrade is a way of taking what on other airlines would be an empty first class seat (used to see it all the time on AA) and letting a frequent flyer have it instead of it going empty, which is great business accumen. But all that would be wiped away and made useless if they didn't give themselves every opportunity to sell it away first.
I think CO might actually see more purchased upgrades as a result of letting people know that they aren't going to get upgraded 24 hours out. Keeping the company with good revenue is he only way we're not all going to be flying on one of the airborne cattle cars.
--PP
--PP