On a flight back from New York they charged me $100 to upgrade to business.

Last year, they wanted volunteers to be bumped at LA on the way back from Vegas, and get the next flight in the morning. They offered $350 + hotel. When I showed them the card they offered a free flight also. They got too many volunteers and I never got bumped. I reckon they didnt fancy locating and unloading my 7 pieces of luggage when they could bump people with only one

Flew the jump seat once, about 20 years ago, from Amsterdam to London. Stayed in it until we landed. An old friend had a private pilots license. I sat next to him a couple of times but I guess that dont count Ive flown a dual control helicopter a few times.