AA offers TOD “tens of dollars” First Class & Upgrades
#46
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
As one of the walking wounded on UA, I actually have a better shot at a TOD upgrade on AA than I do on UA. UA elites do not usually get offered TOD upgrades, while non-elites on the same flights get the offers. I’ve died at #1 on the upgrade list on UA with an instrument-supported upgrade more times than I’ve actually gotten upgraded.
As someone with no status anymore on AA, I find this very intriguing. But I do have a great deal of empathy for my AA compatriots who have been enjoying a reasonably acceptable upgrade clearance rate, and have not yet been beaten into submission with non-elites scoring TOD’s while you sit at #1 and watch the open seats in F disappear one by one.
As someone with no status anymore on AA, I find this very intriguing. But I do have a great deal of empathy for my AA compatriots who have been enjoying a reasonably acceptable upgrade clearance rate, and have not yet been beaten into submission with non-elites scoring TOD’s while you sit at #1 and watch the open seats in F disappear one by one.
#47
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Plat Pro, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 124
Same here! Last week it took over an hour and transfer between three departments because of the corporate code on my ticket and a debate on which department could upfare it, not to mention the $50 fee to claim PNR. I’m happy to buy first class — please dear god sell me an upsell easier than AA has been doing it to this point.
#48
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: US Gold
Posts: 627
I was wondering about what EQD/EQM credit you get for the OLCI/at-airport upgrades. On my last flight PHL-LHR I was offered an upgrade from to business class (from economy) for Ł368, which seemed pretty modest, really. It was certainly a lot less than previous such offers.
I still didn't take it. But my question is: what EQDs and EQMs would taking the upgrade have added? They really don't (and should) make these things clear.
wg
I still didn't take it. But my question is: what EQDs and EQMs would taking the upgrade have added? They really don't (and should) make these things clear.
wg
#49
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,205
I was wondering about what EQD/EQM credit you get for the OLCI/at-airport upgrades. On my last flight PHL-LHR I was offered an upgrade from to business class (from economy) for Ł368, which seemed pretty modest, really. It was certainly a lot less than previous such offers.
I still didn't take it. But my question is: what EQDs and EQMs would taking the upgrade have added? They really don't (and should) make these things clear.
wg
I still didn't take it. But my question is: what EQDs and EQMs would taking the upgrade have added? They really don't (and should) make these things clear.
wg
#50
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,580
True - but it was a lot later than 1992 when it brought it out - VS and BR were the innovators of the product - even if it took a while before it had a generic name of premium economy ;Also on AA's partners there are Qantas and Cathay at least too that had it for a long while before
#51
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 524
What Delta did in conjunction with FCM was to increase the number of F seats. AA has been moving in the opposite direction, replacing 16F MD-80s with 8F 319s.
I wonder if AA would consider anothet A321 subfleet. Similar to the old US A321 configuration with F from Door 1 to Door 2. This is prior to the HP merger. The 321 is a good plane to do this on as the cabin break currently is less than ideal.
This subfleet can be used on high yielding routes where people will pay up, either shorter hops between business centers/hubs (LGA-CLT and LGA-ORD) and longer routes where you may get a larger mix of paid F (non flagship Transcons, MIA-LAX, DCA-LAX)
I wonder if AA would consider anothet A321 subfleet. Similar to the old US A321 configuration with F from Door 1 to Door 2. This is prior to the HP merger. The 321 is a good plane to do this on as the cabin break currently is less than ideal.
This subfleet can be used on high yielding routes where people will pay up, either shorter hops between business centers/hubs (LGA-CLT and LGA-ORD) and longer routes where you may get a larger mix of paid F (non flagship Transcons, MIA-LAX, DCA-LAX)
#52
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
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)
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,043
For some people, the possibility of an upgrade is a major reason for staying with an airline and seeking elite status. The possibility of an upgrade has been decreasing and the move to FCM may effectively eliminate the chance. If so, it does not become a reason to jump ship, but it does eliminate a reason to stay. The devaluation of elite status across airlines seems a fair reason to become a free agent.
Allowing upgrades for the price difference between Y and F does not appear to be something anyone can reasonably complain about. Allowing upgrades for TOD is another matter. In addition to the problem of fewer elite upgrades, if one can reliably upgrade to F for less than the fare difference, why buy F in the first place?
Allowing upgrades for the price difference between Y and F does not appear to be something anyone can reasonably complain about. Allowing upgrades for TOD is another matter. In addition to the problem of fewer elite upgrades, if one can reliably upgrade to F for less than the fare difference, why buy F in the first place?
Last edited by xliioper; Apr 28, 2019 at 5:09 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
^I hope this also means the comp upgrade window is reduced to 24 hours or so. It's damn near impossible to buy 4 first class tickets for my family at the last minute these days....
#55
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
What effect, if any, will this have on the premium fares? Could make for interesting new policy.
#56
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
Remember, if you have any AA elite status, you never see LFBU offers, but they gladly come online assuming there is capacity at check-in. I am unaware if LFBUs are blocked to BE customers, I don't have evidence either way.
I find it odd that people think AA will promote primarily fare difference upsell via email. I expect demand-based flat rate pricing which will usually be cheaper for low-cost, advanced-booked fares than upfairing.
I totally agree that this fills a void for business travelers who are willing to spend part of their own money on upgrades. Yes, the corporate agency will get notified just like they do when upgrades at the window come through, but it won't be an issue.
Further, I expect that most CKs purchase premium classes anyway to get their spend thresholds, so I think EXPs and PPROs road warriors better start figuring out a budget for their upgrades otherwise. PLT and GLD already have a paid equivalent formula for upgrades, as rare as they might be.
I find it odd that people think AA will promote primarily fare difference upsell via email. I expect demand-based flat rate pricing which will usually be cheaper for low-cost, advanced-booked fares than upfairing.
I totally agree that this fills a void for business travelers who are willing to spend part of their own money on upgrades. Yes, the corporate agency will get notified just like they do when upgrades at the window come through, but it won't be an issue.
Further, I expect that most CKs purchase premium classes anyway to get their spend thresholds, so I think EXPs and PPROs road warriors better start figuring out a budget for their upgrades otherwise. PLT and GLD already have a paid equivalent formula for upgrades, as rare as they might be.
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Remember, if you have any AA elite status, you never see LFBU offers, but they gladly come online assuming there is capacity at check-in. I am unaware if LFBUs are blocked to BE customers, I don't have evidence either way.
I find it odd that people think AA will promote primarily fare difference upsell via email. I expect demand-based flat rate pricing which will usually be cheaper for low-cost, advanced-booked fares than upfairing.
I totally agree that this fills a void for business travelers who are willing to spend part of their own money on upgrades. Yes, the corporate agency will get notified just like they do when upgrades at the window come through, but it won't be an issue.
Further, I expect that most CKs purchase premium classes anyway to get their spend thresholds, so I think EXPs and PPROs road warriors better start figuring out a budget for their upgrades otherwise. PLT and GLD already have a paid equivalent formula for upgrades, as rare as they might be.
I find it odd that people think AA will promote primarily fare difference upsell via email. I expect demand-based flat rate pricing which will usually be cheaper for low-cost, advanced-booked fares than upfairing.
I totally agree that this fills a void for business travelers who are willing to spend part of their own money on upgrades. Yes, the corporate agency will get notified just like they do when upgrades at the window come through, but it won't be an issue.
Further, I expect that most CKs purchase premium classes anyway to get their spend thresholds, so I think EXPs and PPROs road warriors better start figuring out a budget for their upgrades otherwise. PLT and GLD already have a paid equivalent formula for upgrades, as rare as they might be.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
For some people, the possibility of an upgrade is a major reason for staying with an airline and seeking elite status. The possibility of an upgrade has been decreasing and the move to FCM may effectively eliminate the chance. If so, it does not become a reason to jump ship, but it does eliminate a reason to stay. The devaluation of elite status across airlines seems a fair reason to become a free agent.
#59
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,313
If you book through a corporate travel agency, you always need to call Meeting Services for the upfare. Just google it and you'll get the phone # for their department. The $50 fee is hit or miss and I've had success with HUCA. Actually just last week, first time I called the upfare was $180, said no thanks, called about 10 mins later and it came through at $130.