I swear some of those seats *are* indeed held for the benefit of full-fare last minute buyers. Just not when I'm full-fare last minute. Or at least they are held out for last minute F-class buyers.

In any case, the effect of this is that sometimes (and I do stress sometimes) a 1K upgrade doesn't clear at 100 hours, even though there are seats available. Those seats clear at the gate, based on status and fare and other black magic. Now, that means that a last minute 1K will have just as good as a chance as a leisure fare 1K, but a last minute PE is still behind a leisure 1K. At least they are given the chance, instead of all upgrades clearing until the space is gone. Now, this is only on some flights... on others I've seen the whole cabin go at 100 hours. It's a crapshoot.

So I think in some cases, United (and other airlines) do take into consideration the last minute full fare buyer. Now, whether a PE full fare should clear before a 1K leisure fare... whole other can of worms that I don't even want to touch with a ten foot pole right now.

[This message has been edited by jet (edited 02-18-2000).]