How does the Inventory Release Process Work?
 

I'm thinking of going on a Family vacation with my sibling's family and my folks, so this morning, I purchased 5 tickets and obtained 2 more via award tickets. (Yes, they're all United Flights)

The two PNR's have different routes, but does overlap on one segment - the one from ORD to CDG. So from United's perspective, 7 tickets were sold/awarded in a very short period of time on that flight. Now, based on the seat map, there are still plenty of seats available (yes, I know that those not assigned seats don't show up on seat map). However, when I now try to book another flight to match on that same segment, the only thing available that shows up is a Y-class fare, which kicks up the ticket price by close to $2K. ($1500 to $3300 IIRC)

So now I'm left thinking that perhaps the reason that the flight on that segment is so expensive now is because I took the low(er) and award class inventory off of the table, and all that remains is the higher class inventory at this time. However, I'm thinking that if I just wait around a while, some more lower class inventory may be released in the future, presuming that people don't continue to purchase seats on this flight despite the higher cost, higher fare economy class tickets.

So my questions are as follows.

1. Is this correct, is this generally how the seat inventory control system work?

2. If this is correct, how should I go about trying to book a lower fare class ticket on this segment? Use a web site to specifically watch for price drops on the specific segment(s) that I'm interested in?

Thanks

It's hard to answer your question without specifics. What are the date(s), cities, and flights you're looking at?

Are you referring to Saver vs. Standard award inventory? If so then yes they only have so may seats available (or none at all) for a specific flight. You can check that inventory on-line. Most likely there were only 2 Saver seats and then when you booked them now they are gone.

It is possible that they will open up more saver seats buts its also possible that they won't.

OTOH, If you are referring to PAID tickets then its different.