docderwood

There was a recent WSJ about Delta auctioning off first class seats before flights. Flying ATL--->LHR in July. Any idea if they will put upgrades from coach up for auction either by paying with cash or miles?

3Cforme

Before people start going crazy, the Jan. 2016 WSJ article didn't actually say Delta was auctioning seats. It pointed to other carriers' use of auction systems, particularly the Plusgrade and SeatBoost products with Lufthansa and Virgin America, respectively.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/going-on...des-1452105322

KDCAflyer

I personally think that would be a great idea for certain routes. I could see it on D1 routes that don't normally sell out.

cfabar1

I would support this wholeheartedly. Better for the FAs, better for the coach customers, better for everyone really. But... I suspect they won't do it too much... and that the minimum bid prices would be rigged anyways.

rucksack

I don't think it's a great idea at all:

• Dilutes the value of J, for which some people pay a 6-8x (or more) multiplier over Y
• Reduces the space available for elites wait-listing for an upgrade using GUCs
• Reduces the space available for NRSA standbys, which is a valuable perk for employees

KDCAflyer

Bidding wouldn't always be available, obviously. I don't really care about the last two.

rucksack

You don't care about the last two because you're neither an employee, nor a DM. How would you feel if you were?

pvn

I get cheated out of domestic upgrades by non-revs pretty regularly, so not only would non-revs losing out here not bother me, it would seem like fair turnabout.

rucksack

Not likely. Non-revs fly Y domestically, so they're not stealing your upgrade unless there's shenanigans going on.

WidgetKid

Shall I beat bubba Mr. Show to the punch?

WFBF
YBYL



In all seriousness though, I doubt it. Nonrevs are eligible for domestic F but so rarely get it. I would love to hear some stories about when you got "cheated out" by a nonrev (and the nonrev wouldn't even be the one doing the cheating - the GA would be).

In relation to the actual topic at hand though, I don't really see this happening and if it did, on a very limited basis. All of ruckzac's points are very valid, but I suspect the one delta is most concerned with is the first. They are so concerned about protecting the price integrity of the cabin that I can't see them doing anything large scale to compromise that. And auctioning off seats definitely falls into that category.

davetravels

According to the (faux) Diamond benefit thread, a coupl'a people seem to be offended by GAs addressing pax by their first names. To keep thingz civil on here, may I suggest that you call him . . . .

Mr. Show.

WidgetKid

Fair point, Mr. Travels. Duly noted and corrected

Zorak

Sorry, the "slot" for "Mr. Show" in my mind is reserved for the Bob Odenkirk/David Cross TV series

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Sh..._Bob_and_David

ND76

Whether or not I might get offended is irrelevant. Calling an adult you don't know by his or her first name is impolite, and for that reason alone the Delta staff should not do it.

WidgetKid

Just curious more than anything, but what about all those diamonds out there who are well known by their home station agents and both refer to each other by first names? I'm really just interested to know if you take issue with employees calling customers by their first name in general, or if it all has to do with whether they are known or not.