Originally Posted by
MIA-SAT
Scott, thank you for the follow up posting. I still have a question regarding the term "dynamic" pricing, which is included in point two of the link that you included in this message. The concern is that pricing changes in the period after an elite purchases a fare, but before checkin, could result in a decrease in price such that an elite who might have been interested in purchasing a Y, B or M fare misses the seat and the opportunity for upgrade, while a non-elite or lower level elite obtains the F cabin seat.
All unregulated businesses, such as airlines, of course retain the right to price product and change prices at will. Is there any additional information that you can provide, that will not reveal a business secret, regarding dynamic pricing? Is there any possibility of a situation in which fare pricing reductions prior to the checkin window could result a later upgradable fare becoming very close to, or even less than a fare that an elite purchased prior to the change in price. An example would be B fare dropping in price in the days prior to departure such that the difference between that fare and a K purchased a month in advance would disappear or be negligible? A similar example would be an A fare or a Y fare dropping in the days prior to departure such that the difference between those fares and the B or M fare would be minimal or non-existent. In this latter example, a non-elite could queue jump on an A fare and a lower level elite could queue jump on the Y or B fare.
As far as the glitches still to be worked out, thanks for the clarification and please let us know when the IT dept believes that they have been worked out.
Hi
MIA-SAT, to clarify, by dynamic pricing I mean that the fee for the discounted segment-based upgrades may vary. The ability to buy up to the lowest available fare that books into the First Class cabin, on the other hand, is not based on dynamic pricing but rather the difference in fare. In a scenario where the buy-up is actually $0 or less, we'll still offer it. It's rare, but we'll offer it. In these cases, the buy-up offer will show as $0, and if your original fare is refundable, you'll get the difference in fare refunded.
Originally Posted by
perezoso
Well, then, wouldn't the simple direct question to CO be:
"Does the number of F seats available for discounted day of departure upgrades at all times equal the number of F seats in the plane, less the number of paid F tickets, less the number of upgraded elite, less the number of elite on the upgrade waiting list?"
(Obviously, in the question above, a "paid F ticket" does not include one purchased at a discount on the day of departure.)
I think that's what COInsider is saying; but it would be nice if it could be answered "yes" in a word.
Hi
perezoso, the answer is "not necessarily." The discounted segment-based upgrades are based on the same inventory we offer for Elite upgrades and OnePass mileage upgrades. Sometimes that's equal to the number of remaining First Class seats, but often it's not.
Originally Posted by
Laughable
1. If the KIOSK offers someone the ability to upgrade, the argument being made is that you have no clue which upgrade it is, "day-of" or "buy-up". Is there a way to differentiate between the two?
Hi
Laughable, the buy-up offer is not currently offered at the kiosk, just via online check-in.
Originally Posted by
Laughable
2. At OLCI, is "day-of" now being offered?
Yes, when applicable, this offer is presented within 24 hours of itinerary departure.
Originally Posted by
Laughable
3. Why in the example on this thread was an elite - while flying with a non-elite - on the same PNR not given the option to purchase the upgrade like the non-elite flier?
We do not yet handle the scenario when there is a mix of Elite and non-Elite customers in the same reservation.