[jimworcs]

I have regularly been upgraded with my car... but this is not at all the same thing. I adopt exactly the same tactics. I am writing this from Madrid. I booked a Ford Ka. I always book a Ford Ka. The reason for this is that I have NEVER been given a Ford Ka, as most airport car hire places don't have them. I am driving a nice Citroen C5 instead but paying about $60 less than if I had booked it ahead of time.

This is not at all comparable with the airline scenario. Have you ever heard me complain that a customer has been upgraded to 1st Class? But I can honestly say I have NEVER not been able to get a car when I have booked one.

I have no problems with your tactics to get a free room in Vegas and perhaps some top up miles, especially after Thanksgiving with the parents. However, the fact that you can organise your schedule in such a way as to increase your chances of not getting on, illustrates perfectly how common this reprehensible practise is. Furthermore, the airlines overbooking at critical travel times, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc is doubly problematic. How many precious family holidays have been ruined by airlines.