I would pay the $150 again without a doubt. If the flight is under 4hrs then I wouldn't mind sitting in the back. Its not always possible to get exit row. But I agree with the others on this thread, this does devalue the product. I would never pay $1000 for a ticket which I can get for $400 by checking in early. Rather I would stick with a airline where I know that I get my value for money and that no one get in there on the cheap.

@ FlyerJack

you talk about revenue. Take me as an example, why it would be a bad idea, to make a little bit more of you.

Some years ago ( founded my company in 1991 ) I didn't even think of flying WBC. One of the reasons I came to KL / NW had been the great Economy prices out of Germany.

Later on, I had enough miles, to upgrade nearly all outgoing flights from AMS. I did it always in the Lounge. Again, later on, KL/NW decided, that mileage upgrades are only available on full fare booking classes for TATL and Idian sectors. I started to buy my frist WBC tickets TATL and flew to Asia still on chep Eco plus Mileage upgrade.

Today I fly only ( low priced ) WBC.

On day flights I would take the risk to end up in Economy if I really could save money. However for me the price difference between full fare coach and discounted Business is too low to take this risk.

By changing their policies, which came along with the development of my company they "forced" me into paid WBC. This makes them appr. EUR 30.000,00 extra a year ( for me, my compagnon and, if they fly with me, my family ). Even I'm a "cheap" WBC buyer, THAT ist the revenue they are looking for.

So you're the reason they made this policy ;)

Yup, but not available to the 'general public'. That is the power of purchasing. :)

What do you mean by this exactly?

Unless you book with a tour operator.

Johan

They want their passenger in paid WBC seats. That's the only deal they're looking for. And there is a quite good reason for this.

And... they are succesfull with it. I'm planning actually my next LA trip and was surprised, that KL meanwhile is more expensive than AF for Business Class travel. Seems to be they are full enough to take this prices. However, AF saves me money and ( much more important ) time ( need a full night less than planned with their excellent flying times ) so this time I'll accept the most hated CDG transfer

I fly KL quite often. If they offered upsells to ES on intra-Europe flights, I would take advantage of it. Most of the US carriers are losing money not because of upsell programs, but for a myriad of other reasons. US is the most aggressive airline with upsells in the US. Whether through online check-in, the kiosk, ticket counter, or gate, they will upsell as long as there is a seat. NW does it mostly at the gate, even for WBC. I've seen it anywhere from $350 to $500 one-way for a transatlantic flight to AMS from MSP and DTW.
I never fly KL long-haul in WBC because I believe it is completely inferior to AF C class. If KL started to do upsells I would consider flying them on certain routes if I knew upsells would be a possibility. Perhaps TLV and CAI and maybe DXB.
Companies are always going to be the best customer for full-fare paying premium classes, but the vast majority of passengers do not have that luxury. I would still fly KL on my intra-European flights and buy the cheapest 100% mileage earning fares, but would be even more open to shifting that revenue away from AF on ocassions if they upselled. I would even forgo LH on the ocassions when I have to connect going to HEL or ARN. That's a helluva out of the way connection for me, but if upsells were available from time to time depending on availability, I would definitely be more apt to give them my business.
I agree with the OP. KL is losing out on increasing their revenue. I sat in Y class at least 30 times this year so far with very empty ES cabins. I would've paid 30 to 50 euros more at check-in to upgrade to ES. They missed out on the revenue.

What airlines offer upselling? The only ones I know if are UA and TG. And it is super cheap. You can upgrade at check in for $500. Even from C to F! Even on LAX to SYD where it is really worth the $500. I also bought up to F on a couple of 10 hour+ flights with TG. I think it cost roughly $700 due to the poor exchange rate at the time.

I tried to upsell with DL recently on JFK-AMS, but they said that isn't possible with DL. Maybe it is only Star Alliance that does upselling?

For International travel, I am aware that NW, UA, BD, EI, and US will upsell. Onboard, many airlines will upsell including KLM and BA, so I've been told.

KL stuff is strictly prohibited to upgrade anybody onboard if there is not a realy a need for it. Might be some purser did the "upsell" on their own account in the past.

I know somebody got an offer (they asked for it) for a paid upgrade onboard my last trip YYZ-AMS, only they turned it down because of the big amount they had to pay.