AA offers TOD “tens of dollars” First Class & Upgrades
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
This is the slow march to fully monetizing the F cabin. CKs will still get complimentary upgrades (although some are already paying to be up there) and that's about it. EXPs probably will get reduced pricing. The days of copays are coming.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
I remember as far back as 2011 being asked at the kiosk if I wanted to upgrade to F for $99 SJC-DFW, then $119 for SFO-DFW in 2012 (which was operated by a widebody 767). I thought this was a practice AA already did?
#19
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
It's supposed to be upfaring which today requires calling Reservations and paying a $50.00 fee if the ticket was booked by a TA. I fully support this enhancement if I can now do this online.
#20
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
AA currently offers to upsell when there are no elites on the waiting list for an upgrade. IF AA moves to the UA model of TOD, as a person in a UA dominated airport, there will no longer be any reason for me to stick with AA over UA. My signature shows the difference in my upgrade percentage this year. Granted, I am a Premier Silver with UA vs an EXP with AA, but even last year as a 1K, I had a very low upgrade percentage. If AA goes the way of UA, AA can kiss my loyalty goodbye, and I, like many others here on FT, will become a true free agent.
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 117
Take a look at the Delta thread on first-class monetization: First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Most of the FCM offers are insane.
American is such a pathetic airline, outside of its Flagship First dining. When was the last time American innovated as opposed to copying whatever Delta and United do first?
Most of the FCM offers are insane.
American is such a pathetic airline, outside of its Flagship First dining. When was the last time American innovated as opposed to copying whatever Delta and United do first?
#23
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: AA Lifetime PLT , BA Silver , BD RIP , HH Gold, SPG / Marriott PLT , EF Subscriber
Posts: 6,702
Take a look at the Delta thread on first-class monetization: First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Most of the FCM offers are insane.
American is such a pathetic airline, outside of its Flagship First dining. When was the last time American innovated as opposed to copying whatever Delta and United do first?
Most of the FCM offers are insane.
American is such a pathetic airline, outside of its Flagship First dining. When was the last time American innovated as opposed to copying whatever Delta and United do first?
#24
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,040
Of the things I currently care about in this game, PDBs wouldn't even make my top 25...
Regards
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,051
Yes, this has been in the works for a bit. My understanding is they are going to implement a way to upfare the ticket without impacting the underlying ticket. I'm curious if/how this ends up being the case.
Regardless, upgrades have been worthless for a while. I just upfare on any flight over 2.5 hours. It's far easier than playing upgrade roulette, is usually a reasonable price, and is a lot less stress and hassle. Worth every penny to me.
Regardless, upgrades have been worthless for a while. I just upfare on any flight over 2.5 hours. It's far easier than playing upgrade roulette, is usually a reasonable price, and is a lot less stress and hassle. Worth every penny to me.
#26
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I will say that on Delta the upsell, if done more than 24hr before departure, gives MQD and MQM of the premium cabin. I wonder if AA will do the same, or if they'll just treat it as a 'seat upgrade'. Knowing Parker's reputation, it will be the latter.
#27
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
In the FlyerTalk Glossary. From the upper blue menu bar, select Help, them Glossary.
FCM: First Class Monetization (especially pertinent to Delta)
TOD: Tens of dollars (used by UA flyers to refer to upgrades sold more cheaply to those without status than available to those with status)
FCM: First Class Monetization (especially pertinent to Delta)
TOD: Tens of dollars (used by UA flyers to refer to upgrades sold more cheaply to those without status than available to those with status)
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 26, 2019 at 4:58 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
I forgot the technical term but yes, upgrades at the kiosk is a thing, but only there. What would be different is the option to upgrade after you purchase a ticket on aa.com, in the app, or offers through email, etc.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
Kiosk? I can't ever seeing or using one at AA. Is that their version of easy chicken?
#30
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
To clarify, I don't believe this enhancement is an "upgrade" such as what has been offered via the kiosks for a while. It's an option to "buy up" to the higher cabin. I expect the "buy up" option to be the difference between what first is at the time and what was paid for the coach ticket. This could easily be $400+ but might be worth it depending on the flights in question. However, all of this is speculation. It's probably best we all wait and see what is actually rolled out.
And for the comment above about PDBs, I don't get it either. It's a quick drink served in a plastic cup that many times you barely have enough time to drink. It's great to get but hardly worth all the posts about it.
And for the comment above about PDBs, I don't get it either. It's a quick drink served in a plastic cup that many times you barely have enough time to drink. It's great to get but hardly worth all the posts about it.