Is P the new M
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG,SDF,LEX
Programs: Delta DM MM
Posts: 772
Is P the new M
Last week checked Delta.com for flight CVG - LAS 3/2 - 3/5. Looked at price of M fare for miles...is was $1497. Checked next day same flights...on advance booking page checked economy discounted and was given P fare at $750. Today, checked CVG - ANC 4/1 - 4/3 and when searching M fare website returned P fare at $1750, $400 more than H fare. Just for fun checked multiple dates from multiple cities (SDF, CVG, JFK) and all M fare searches returned A or P fares.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
Last week checked Delta.com for flight CVG - LAS 3/2 - 3/5. Looked at price of M fare for miles...is was $1497. Checked next day same flights...on advance booking page checked economy discounted and was given P fare at $750. Today, checked CVG - ANC 4/1 - 4/3 and when searching M fare website returned P fare at $1750, $400 more than H fare. Just for fun checked multiple dates from multiple cities (SDF, CVG, JFK) and all M fare searches returned A or P fares.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG,SDF,LEX
Programs: Delta DM MM
Posts: 772
I probably didnt do a very good job making my point. I know that P and A fares are instant upgrade M fares. My point was that the two fares I was following for a few days suddenly converted to these upgraded fares at rates substantially below the previous M fare rates. I was wondering if this was just an unusual coincidence or if this was part of the FC monetization program to offer these discounted FC fares to anyone searching higher class fares. On the LAS flight, P fare dropped from $1600 to $750 and $1450 flight disappeared. On the several searches I performed, 10 in all, every Y,B,M fare search returned the P fares. (I was not logged in as PM). Unlike others, I dont blame Delta for trying to sell FC, just wondering if this was a new trend.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,645
In effect, a P fare is the old M fare plus $59 (or $29, $59, or $99, depending in the market).
CVG to LAS on 3/3 through 3/5 is showing P fares for $79 over H fares. The P fare is discounted 47% off of the full F fare.
You have just witnessed the FC monetization of that route.
BTW, full F is now $1117, which is cheaper than the original M you quoted at $1497.
I can't imagine why someone would have sprung for the $1497 M fare before, but could you imagine sitting next to him in coach after he found out that guaranteed FC seats were going for $587?
CVG to LAS on 3/3 through 3/5 is showing P fares for $79 over H fares. The P fare is discounted 47% off of the full F fare.
You have just witnessed the FC monetization of that route.
BTW, full F is now $1117, which is cheaper than the original M you quoted at $1497.
I can't imagine why someone would have sprung for the $1497 M fare before, but could you imagine sitting next to him in coach after he found out that guaranteed FC seats were going for $587?