I had a look today to see what seats would be available on a SYD to SFO flight if I tried to book my refundable business class ticket today instead of when I purchased it a month ago. When I checked to see what Business Class seats were available, it gave you a choice of seats in rows 1-4 on this 747-400 (they were letting you choose First class seats when you're purchasing a Business Class ticket).

When I go back to the seat selection on my ticket, it shows the remaining business class seats on this flight that you could switch to were 7D, 7G, and 8G (no thanks). Is there a way to graciously offer to take sit in seat 2K so that someone purchasing a business class ticket today can have my business class seat? What happens to those remaining unfilled first class seats, do they bump up the 1K passengers?

If that's how works, why don't you simply buy a new ticket and cancel the old one? After all, it is refundable. Or was there a significant price increase between today and a month ago?

did you check and see what the fare was? Often times if you are booking a flight with multiple segments, say JFK-SFO-SYD and choose Business class but C is sold out it will price that segment in F, same for domestic flights too if you choose econ and its sold out it will place you in F.

I am flying SFO-SYD next month in C and decided to use a SWU to move to first (hoping for a marginally better night sleep as I have to get off the plane and start working) - business is nearly full with few open seats and had no problem using SWU to first just a few days ago - there was only 1 other person up there before I upgraded. Perhaps few are seeing the need to pay more for first since it sounds like its only a marginal improvement over the lie-flat business seats.

I think you explained it there. I booked full-fare business a few months ago. If I tried to do this today, I'd be paying $12K more than I am. If I were paying that much more, I'd probably expect first class.

So it probably only shows you First clss fares not Business, could that be it?

If Business Class ends up being oversold and all passengers with a waitlisted Business to First upgrade have been cleared, then there will be op-ups from Business to First based on status and fare. Generally complimentary upgrades on international flights will only occur if the lower cabin is oversold.

I agree,

I have tried to buy a Y ticket last minute and had the option on sitting in 1A on IAD-LAX. of course the fare was $1500 which is not a normal Y fare