[Rumor] CO To Sell FC Upgrades
#31
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MP Gold, HH Gold, PC Plat Elite-RA
Posts: 100
The devil is in the details
Will upgrades still happen in advance?
Likely
How much will they charge?
Continental already has the most reasonable FC fares IMO, so it seems plausable the price of upgrade will be close to the the difference between the lowest price available that day in coach and the the lowest available FC fare available that day. Perhaps $100 or $200 ow, depending on distance
Will any class of elite get upgraded before CO sells counter upgrades?
Since upgrades could only really be logistically sold at the counter, it seems likely that it will be battlefield upgrades after all possible sales, and EUA's the same as before
I can't think of a reason to fly exclusively with CO if this is true. Of course the other airlines are no better.
Will upgrades still happen in advance?
Likely
How much will they charge?
Continental already has the most reasonable FC fares IMO, so it seems plausable the price of upgrade will be close to the the difference between the lowest price available that day in coach and the the lowest available FC fare available that day. Perhaps $100 or $200 ow, depending on distance
Will any class of elite get upgraded before CO sells counter upgrades?
Since upgrades could only really be logistically sold at the counter, it seems likely that it will be battlefield upgrades after all possible sales, and EUA's the same as before
I can't think of a reason to fly exclusively with CO if this is true. Of course the other airlines are no better.
Last edited by vietbet; Feb 2, 2009 at 9:32 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
CO is Elite heavy. Within the Plat ranks, upgrades go to the highest fare categories. I am finding that if I am on a real low fare - I can be way down the upgrade list - and only a few below me - so that means there are a lot of Plats and few Golds and Silvers on those routes.
This morning - on the 7:25am IAH-DCA, FC was sold out, there were 56 people on the upgrade standby list. I was #1 out of 56, but did not clear.
If CO starts selling upgrades - it will kill loyalty and CO is too Elite heavy I believe to do that.
If CO does, then I think the writing is on the wall that CO will go away and the new name will be United (a merger).
This morning - on the 7:25am IAH-DCA, FC was sold out, there were 56 people on the upgrade standby list. I was #1 out of 56, but did not clear.
If CO starts selling upgrades - it will kill loyalty and CO is too Elite heavy I believe to do that.
If CO does, then I think the writing is on the wall that CO will go away and the new name will be United (a merger).
#33
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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After thinking about it a bit, I hope this is a case of Airlinecrew.net people making some stuff up, just for grins.
#34
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
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Posts: 9,658
I am guessing this could be a situation that non-Elites on Y or B could pay $50 each way and do instant upgrade. I found out that this was a hidden feature a few years back.
That means Elites on Y/B get it for free, non-Elites pay $50 each way. CO values the Elite upgrade at $50.
If so - what is the point - just sell FC seats at B prices.
That means Elites on Y/B get it for free, non-Elites pay $50 each way. CO values the Elite upgrade at $50.
If so - what is the point - just sell FC seats at B prices.
#35
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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#36
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MP Gold, HH Gold, PC Plat Elite-RA
Posts: 100
The only thing missing is the email from CO telling us how this and other changes were made to both improve the OP program and thier service to us.
#37
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
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Posts: 6,959
If true, I would hope they would only sell a seat after elites have been accommodated. I wonder how companions standing by for an upgrade would fare?
In theory this would have no effect on elites upgrading and might make CO a small amount of money. In practice, it could get tricky as I would expect GAs to be given a financial incentive to sell more of these. If an elite has already boarded, and the agent has a chance to sell an upgrade and get credit, which would he/she choose? Fortunately since CO publishes its upgrade queue it would be tough, but not impossible, to shortchange an elite.
In theory this would have no effect on elites upgrading and might make CO a small amount of money. In practice, it could get tricky as I would expect GAs to be given a financial incentive to sell more of these. If an elite has already boarded, and the agent has a chance to sell an upgrade and get credit, which would he/she choose? Fortunately since CO publishes its upgrade queue it would be tough, but not impossible, to shortchange an elite.
#38
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MP Gold, HH Gold, PC Plat Elite-RA
Posts: 100
If true, I would hope they would only sell a seat after elites have been accommodated. I wonder how companions standing by for an upgrade would fare?
In theory this would have no effect on elites upgrading and might make CO a small amount of money. In practice, it could get tricky as I would expect GAs to be given a financial incentive to sell more of these. If an elite has already boarded, and the agent has a chance to sell an upgrade and get credit, which would he/she choose? Fortunately since CO publishes its upgrade queue it would be tough, but not impossible, to shortchange an elite.
In theory this would have no effect on elites upgrading and might make CO a small amount of money. In practice, it could get tricky as I would expect GAs to be given a financial incentive to sell more of these. If an elite has already boarded, and the agent has a chance to sell an upgrade and get credit, which would he/she choose? Fortunately since CO publishes its upgrade queue it would be tough, but not impossible, to shortchange an elite.
I think it would only be possible to sell at the ticket counter, after EUA's but before battlefields
#39
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 291
Just for some perspective-
DL has sold upgrades for years, but ONLY after all elites (and their eligible companions) have been upgraded. It's $150 each way for non-elites to be upgraded on a transcon, for example (but only from K or above fare category). Of course, DL is not as elite-heavy as CO... it's relatively frequent that ALL elites are upgraded on the JFK-West Coast transcons, for example, and then they are selling upgrades.
Whenever you are on DL flight and the GIS says "standby upgrade available", that means that all elites have been upgraded.
DL has sold upgrades for years, but ONLY after all elites (and their eligible companions) have been upgraded. It's $150 each way for non-elites to be upgraded on a transcon, for example (but only from K or above fare category). Of course, DL is not as elite-heavy as CO... it's relatively frequent that ALL elites are upgraded on the JFK-West Coast transcons, for example, and then they are selling upgrades.
Whenever you are on DL flight and the GIS says "standby upgrade available", that means that all elites have been upgraded.
#41
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Almost - they can still take payment for upgrades even if Elites are still on the list, but only if they expect no-shows or to have seats go empty after everyone is finally cleared. If all the Elites show up, or new ones transfer to the flight and take those seats, the payment is not processed on the purchased upgrades and they sit in the back.
#42
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CO is Elite heavy
UA has a ton of elites, especially at SFO ORD and IAD. They also have 'focus' cities that do not have nearly the same flight/passenger concentration that CO does.
#43
Join Date: Feb 2008
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i guess i don't see the big deal. the spread between COs non-Y/B coach (and H or similar) fares and a F fare used to be large, so that buying F was considerably more, and the upgrades were available. Far more F seats were sucked out of upgrades when the difference moved to more like $100 to $200 each way. When I started to see SFO-EWR fares at $150 more each way for F, I knew that the "free upgrades" were a thing of the past. This (if true) is a small deal. CO new game is "buy a Y/B or F, or 31" is for you"
The bigger pinch is comming for you folks when upgrades on NW go away this summer... its going to be Y unless CO metal, and yet more elites chasing fewer seats...
BTB, UA also sells upgrades, but only when no one is on the weight list, and then buy up is more than DL is for a comparable upgrade. UA will also sometimes offer a buy up when you purchase the ticket if F is absolutely empty, but I think (not sure) that this is only for Elites.
The bigger pinch is comming for you folks when upgrades on NW go away this summer... its going to be Y unless CO metal, and yet more elites chasing fewer seats...
BTB, UA also sells upgrades, but only when no one is on the weight list, and then buy up is more than DL is for a comparable upgrade. UA will also sometimes offer a buy up when you purchase the ticket if F is absolutely empty, but I think (not sure) that this is only for Elites.
#44
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
No, not a rumor. Just read it myself from the source. No details given beyond what was quoted in the first post.
Last edited by pptp; Feb 2, 2009 at 10:37 pm
#45
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.7 Million Miler, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 99
This will no doubt be something to discuss with the boys from Houston this weekend.