Any one looking for a good laugh should take a gander  at Air Canada's most recent creepy and offensive efforts to "upsale" economy class flyers by "bidding" on available business class seats.

Just go  to  their website when you buy your tickets  or print out your boarding pass.

Bid too low (like ZERO dollars) the gadget  tells you to go higher with a lame brained  thermometer that gently suggests the "right amount" along with  your chances  of being successful (ZERO).

Only after you put in a bid 3 times what you paid for your ticket does the needle say your chances are good to excellent!

Of course they are good to excellent - you are gouging us  in extremis!

Gone are the days when frequent flyers could cash  in their coupons for free upgrades to business just by going to the counter and politely asking the staff what was available

And if that isn't bad enough see how far  your aeroplan points will take you then add the tax  to it almost equaling the ticket price.

Gougenomics!