djmodifyd

So, trivial here I know...but I'm curious.


Have a lax-JFK trans on next week, I applied an RUC, and have been waitlisted.

In the last 2 days, it has gone from 12 seats "available", to 1.

Are that many people buying last minute D1 fares, or are there other ways to upgrade? Not getting a FCM offer on my end at least.

Just curious, as this is a Tuesday night red eye, and I was thinking my chances were pretty good!

Zorak

1. probably
2. mileage, but that comes out of the same inventory bucket

Although I also would've figured your chances were better on a Tuesday red-eye

Bowgie

If someone bought an expensive enough ticket, it is possible to upgrade with miles. However, there has to be space available for that kind of upgrade, which is different than medallion upgrade space. (Zorak may be right that it's the same upgrade space, but we agree it's not the reason the space is disappearing.)

Frankly, the above happening is unlikely. I think it is just people buying last minute and paying up for DeltaOne. Consider all the industry types who book last minute, and must arrive fresh in the morning.

It is also possible to pay a straight upfare into DeltaOne. That's not FCM, and isn't cheaper than just buying a DeltaOne ticket to begin with.

IMHO, you are just a victim of last-minute price-is-no-object business travelers.

DLATL777

This route has a TON of paid J. Its not upgrades, they come out of the same bucket and its not FCM.

You need to keep in mind there are many corporate discount contracts on this route as well where businesses can have access to 20%+off business class issued with their in house travel service.

djmodifyd

Bah humbug. Thanks for the responses!

Just checked, over 3k one way for D1. I need to work wherever they work!

kop84

Corporate Law and Investment firms, and banks I bet!

Zorak

Just to clarify, it's LAX-JFK, so the only upgrades are certs or mileage, which both come out of OP inventory. And we do agree on the latter point

BusTrav8yrs

It is also possible some DM's are using RUC's and clearing before you. This is the absolute best route to use an RUC on.

kop84

It's a little ways out for this, but don't forget the people who booked GAP tickets JFK/XXX/SAN (or wherever), who then SDC to JFK/LAX/SAN.

Not what happened here, but definitely happens DoD.

lbcnu

I generally don't have a problem using RUCs SFO-JFK. I realize your flight for next week is already booked. For future trips, can you take the quick flight from LAX to SFO and go from there?

scongro

Wow, I never thought of doing that. I know FC can SDC to anything with inventory, but I guess I never realized you could do it to the JFK-LAX/SFO legs.

davisew

And they're not paying anywhere near $3k for these tickets.

MSPeconomist

Many movie and TV actors, directors, producers, etc. would have premium cabin travel as part of their contracts.

djmodifyd

More than likely. Tip noted!

djmodifyd

Possibly, though I've been waitlisted for a month, and the C+ cabin is nearly empty, which makes me think it's a fairly medallion light trip.