More $ for MVP75 F upgrade than for F
Aug 15, 2017, 1:59 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
It's a discount F fare bucket for 4 1/2 months out; it is a sucker bet that it doesn't apply to the entire F cabin and it won't be available close in like that expensive Y fare bucket will.
Understandable if you do revenue management. If you think AS is dumb just buy the cheap F fare now and laugh at getting a good deal. ALK's numbers over the years indicate that they probably know how to run an airline revenue management system.
Understandable if you do revenue management. If you think AS is dumb just buy the cheap F fare now and laugh at getting a good deal. ALK's numbers over the years indicate that they probably know how to run an airline revenue management system.
Aug 15, 2017, 5:52 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Plat, AS MVPG, Bonvoy Plat/LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,266
There was a thread about this a while back, specifically why people would buy the (higher) upgradeable fare vs discount F.
I've seen discount F < instant upgrade fares somewhat frequently on competitive or higher-frequency routes. DEN and LAS fairly often.
I've seen discount F < instant upgrade fares somewhat frequently on competitive or higher-frequency routes. DEN and LAS fairly often.
Aug 15, 2017, 6:51 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 493
From a dynamic pricing perspective you would think that the higher coach fare buckets would top out at the discount F buckets, and then ratchet up as the discount F buckets fill up. So it would look like a standard demand curve. Rather than AS "knows what they're doing" this looks like a symptom of limited IT systems. 
Aug 15, 2017, 8:55 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
When I see this type of pricing I usually bite and buy the discounted F seat for the extra EQMs, but I can't help but think it's almost some sort of marketing trick to get me to spend more than I would've on the regular coach fare.. That said, knowing you'll be in F for sure is always better than playing the odds..
One time the upgradable fare is "preferred" over the discounted F is when using discount or companion codes, which are not eligible for use w/ discounted F fares..
One time the upgradable fare is "preferred" over the discounted F is when using discount or companion codes, which are not eligible for use w/ discounted F fares..
Aug 15, 2017, 10:15 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
From a dynamic pricing perspective you would think that the higher coach fare buckets would top out at the discount F buckets, and then ratchet up as the discount F buckets fill up. So it would look like a standard demand curve. Rather than AS "knows what they're doing" this looks like a symptom of limited IT systems.
Rather than you "knowing what you're talking about" this looks like limited knowledge of fare pricing.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:27 am
#11
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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I think two things are in play here.
1. DL is offering low-ball F fares in/out of SEA. Apparently, they can't sell F at the normally high prices -- so they have substantially cut the price in many markets.
2. AS has started to apply more aggressive revenue management to the F cabin. Obviously, they are still working to get the connection between F and Y fares straightened out. Due to these MVPG upgradable fares, there is a strong link between the Y and F cabin fares.
1. DL is offering low-ball F fares in/out of SEA. Apparently, they can't sell F at the normally high prices -- so they have substantially cut the price in many markets.
2. AS has started to apply more aggressive revenue management to the F cabin. Obviously, they are still working to get the connection between F and Y fares straightened out. Due to these MVPG upgradable fares, there is a strong link between the Y and F cabin fares.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:53 am
#13
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Looks like its some anomaly. Looking at several sample dates on that route i cant find any where MCS is higher than main cabin. Most of the dates are only $50-70 one way while MCS is at least double. I cant recreate what your screenshot shows, my only guess is the MCS is restricted and the main cabin is less restricted.
Aug 15, 2017, 11:02 am
#14
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Aug 15, 2017, 2:42 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 493
No they wouldn't. Why would they sell refundable Y for less than $160 when they know they can get more from passengers who either value the flexibility or are required by company policy to buy refundable tickets?
Rather than you "knowing what you're talking about" this looks like limited knowledge of fare pricing.
Rather than you "knowing what you're talking about" this looks like limited knowledge of fare pricing.
MVP75's can upgrade these fare classes: Y, S, B, M, H
Only Y is refundable according to https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alas...s-buckets.html
I don't have an ExpertFlyer subscription anymore, but here is some data:
When I click refundable on this page, the coach price jumps to $399, so I am assuming Y is $399 as it is the only refundable coach fare.
When I add the F upgrade fare to cart and check the fare rules, it says nonrefundable, so the F upgrade is based on S, B, M or H.
This leaves one or more of S, B, M, H priced at more than discount F, none of which are refundable.