I have seen on a RIC to DFW flight (last year) after no one left on the upgrade list, GA upgraded a very young couple that was just married and when an active service member boarded early, they immediately gave him the last F seat. Wondefrul gesture to build brand loyalty.

I also had the "free" upgrade but they took stickers out and I had to complain to get them back.

Like you Often1, I wonder what all of these people that complain about a for-profit business actually charging money for a product do for a living. I'm guessing whatever business they are in, they do not freely give away their product. If you do run your business that way, please let me know and I will take 3 of w/e it is you sell. For free of course. Delivered. You pay postage as well.

Sometimes being "nice" can build loyalty directly and/or through word of mouth.:)

My recent DFW-MKE 6:55am departure went out 11/16.

United used to have stickers -- e-500s. Now United has theoretically unlimited free upgrades, which rarely rarely happen. I wish United went back to the sticker system like American has.

Are there any PLTs or GLDs that actually buy stickers? I had no idea!

I actually like the sticker system. As an AA PLT member from Ohio, I've gotten the vast number of my flights upgraded. I even got a rare award upgrade with a non-elite companion when economy was oversold -- got to the gate and the agent had already upgraded me.

Compare that with flying on Delta. For some reason just about everyone in SW Ohio is still a loyal Delta flyer, which means Diamond or Medallion status is necessary for free upgrades. Was just on a flight back to CVG two weeks ago and 2/3rds of the plane must have been on the upgrade list.

FYI-I have spent 40+ years in Financial Sales. 100% Commission. In my world clients are KING. They are the key to my success and income.

In today's airline industry, clients/customers/passengers are nothing more than self loading cargo. I understand for profit, and embrace it. But, coming from a client centric industry, I scratch my head when I look at the airline industry.

My second leg just cleared. RJ Aircraft, CRJ-700 back home. 500 Mile Comp upgrade. Flight fairly empty though, which is normal for my area on that flight. Still waiting on my JAX-DFW flight. 3 open seats according to ET, wish I could see the upgrade list prior to T-4.

About a month ago I flew BWI/MIA with 2 rev paxs in F (738) then a couple of other airline employees commuting brought up to F. I prefer the sticker system as it enables lower levels to upgrade more (some flyers will only use earned stickers) and having an occasional F empty seat next to me.

I usually put myself on UG lists for most flights. The ones where I decline to do so are typically those which are a nose over the threshold for an additional sticker - TPA-CLT at 505 miles is one of those.

This is a slightly different take on this topic, but last week on a CR9 out of CLT there were 13 on the upgrade list, but 2 seats went out empty. Everything was on time, so no reason for the GA to not clear the top ones. There were no signs on the seats saying they were out of order or crew only. Assuming it was laziness.

I think it's 507 or 508, actually. Really pissed me off when AA did away with the "close-enough" rule. I used to be like you on that, but now I've accumulated enough certs with not enough other chances to use them that I try to use them there too.