Thanksgiving 2016 air travel - lots of college students in first class
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Thanksgiving 2016 air travel - lots of college students in first class
I always notice F cabins look different around Thanksgiving--no more dress shirts, mostly--but this year in particular, I noticed a high number of college students who actually paid for domestic first class (I'm guessing, since their seat numbers weren't on the upgrade lists).
Is my observation representative? Or did I just happen to choose flights with disproportionately many F-paying college students?
I realize airlines have been discounting F and promoting buy-ups to F, but if you were to ask me who takes the bait, college students would be my last guess. The price points at which FlyerTalkers would consider a steal--e.g., $99 to buy up on IAD-LAX--are still expensive to most undergrads.
Is my observation representative? Or did I just happen to choose flights with disproportionately many F-paying college students?
I realize airlines have been discounting F and promoting buy-ups to F, but if you were to ask me who takes the bait, college students would be my last guess. The price points at which FlyerTalkers would consider a steal--e.g., $99 to buy up on IAD-LAX--are still expensive to most undergrads.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
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I mean - how many flights were you on 3? 4? Statistically that doesn't even move the needle to be conclusive. Perhaps you were just on a route that has a high amount of wealth on either end (IAD, DCA, SFO, LAX, all NYC airports).
FWIW, when I was a college student I took the bait a couple times when factoring in the cost of my checked bag it was basically a wash.
FWIW, when I was a college student I took the bait a couple times when factoring in the cost of my checked bag it was basically a wash.
#3
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
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Posts: 6,211
When college student books the flight too late and only FC is available, student tells mom s/he can't come home for thanksgiving. Mom tells them 'Go on and book fc and let me deal with your father, just use my credit card.'
#4
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, Global Entry
Posts: 771
As a UA Silver in undergrad, I had a surprising number of upgrades, most pretty short but some of them actually pretty decent like SFO-PIT and YUL-YVR (irrops).
I also splurged for a $295 buy-up EWR-HNL after I graduated.
I also knew people who had their parents buy F with miles, and I imagine some of the users here use some of their upgrade certificates on their kids. Aside from some of the loaded international students, I really don't think college students are forking out their own $ for F.
I also splurged for a $295 buy-up EWR-HNL after I graduated.
I also knew people who had their parents buy F with miles, and I imagine some of the users here use some of their upgrade certificates on their kids. Aside from some of the loaded international students, I really don't think college students are forking out their own $ for F.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA
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Posts: 907
LOL LOL This....a lot...... Hell I used to do that when I was in college and that was 30 years ago..... LOL
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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At first I thought this was an odd post but then it immediately kicked in the OP is spot on. I flew to DTW and back over the long weekend. Half of the F cabin in the 'bus was college kids both ways. They were excited about it and were calling their buds to exclaim. They weren't disrupting during the flight at all and were polite. I just found it odd that it was so obvious.
Why I asked myself? Simple. FCM at work.
Why I asked myself? Simple. FCM at work.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, Global Entry
Posts: 771
At first I thought this was an odd post but then it immediately kicked in the OP is spot on. I flew to DTW and back over the long weekend. Half of the F cabin in the 'bus was college kids both ways. They were excited about it and were calling their buds to exclaim. They weren't disrupting during the flight at all and were polite. I just found it odd that it was so obvious.
Why I asked myself? Simple. FCM at work.
Why I asked myself? Simple. FCM at work.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 228
#13
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Peak leisure-travel periods/routes often leave FC as the best value on the plane. The Y fares are high, but sometimes there's some kind of discounted-F fare ("QUP" or whatever) for just a small premium above that.
The regular business travelers aren't there to buy them, so why not the college kids heading home for the holidays? If you don't have elite status and are hauling home 100 pounds of laundry...
The regular business travelers aren't there to buy them, so why not the college kids heading home for the holidays? If you don't have elite status and are hauling home 100 pounds of laundry...
#14
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I rode a Trailways bus one Thanksgiving during college. Doesn't get any classier than that... My only real memory of it was lots of Amish. I thought it was strange but later learned that while they don't own cars, they do use various forms of mass transit when necessary for intercity travel.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Maybe those college students found good prices on F tickets. When my partner and I booked travel a few months ago for Thanksgiving weekend, we found one business saver ticket and no economy saver tickets. Thus we purchased one F seat on points and one Y seat for cash. Several other times I've seen the cash price for F be less than a 50% premium over Y cash. Factor in the ancillary fees airlines hit you with nowadays in Y if you're not an elite (checked bags, preferred seats) and F for 50% more can really be worth it.