Originally Posted by
sbagdon
Why do people buy a YB fare? Usually because that's the only bucket available, for what they want/need. Either because they want to be at a certain place at a certain time (late purchase, business need, personal crisis, etc), or they want a certain benefit from that fare class (YUP, PMUs, etc). Will this change be the X-factor to drive them to another carrier?
You left out an important one: Mileage Upgrades.
I rarely buy anything above the lowest BUT...the 150% EQM is a kicker for me when deciding to cough up for the ability to give NW my miles for an upgrade TPAC or TATL. It takes a little of the sting out and is a bit of a balancing data point when I am making that decision. I bet this will impact the number of people who buy-up to a B for upgrades.