Originally Posted by bocastephen
That's just it - no R inventory was released on this flight since prior to, and subsequent to the first EUA window opening. It doesn't happen too often, but I have seen it on this particular flight from time to time as well as a couple of others.
Not one single upgrade processed, or seats going to R while the cabin remains A9D9 and the seat map remains fixed. Usually by now the cabin is full as generally speaking it's a Plat/Gold only show on this flight.
So my question is...why the holdback? Is it a system glitch? I can't see them holding more than 1/2 the cabin for sale, given the historical propensity of this flight to either sell out FC a week before departure or not even come close to selling out at all.
It wouldn't be a glitch in my itinerary because I verified it was properly synched...and EUA didn't run for anyone else either.
This has been happening for at least the last two years and is a well-know facet of the CO EUA system. CO always holds back EUA on flights that attract a lot of paid F customers. On almost all DCA-IAH/EWR flights, for example, EUA does not appear to run. If there are any seats left for upgrades, they are processed at the gate or as battlefields. I have been on many off-peak DCA-IAH flghts where F had 0 to 3 passengers up until the day of departure and still no upgrades until just prior to boarding. I did get one 3-day EUA DCA-IAH this year, however, but I consider that an anomaly.
Holding back EUA is also incredibly common on transcons. CO essentially bets that by holding back EUA, people will buy the F seats last-minute if they're available. If no one buys the seats, they upgrade elites. That way, it's a win-win for CO.