[Rumor] CO To Sell FC Upgrades
Feb 3, 2009, 6:52 am
#61
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When I first started going through this thread I yawned and thought who cares. CO has a very transparent EUA system and they are very good about handling situations where things don't go properly. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt before my knee jerks so far I kick myself in the face.
My question, however, relates to companion upgrades. Under CO's current (in my opinion terrible) companion upgrade process it seems that all the kiosk buy-ups will go ahead of companion upgrades. I've always thought CO's companion upgrade system was wonky, but they might as well just get rid of the program entirely with this latest change.
Bah humbug.
My question, however, relates to companion upgrades. Under CO's current (in my opinion terrible) companion upgrade process it seems that all the kiosk buy-ups will go ahead of companion upgrades. I've always thought CO's companion upgrade system was wonky, but they might as well just get rid of the program entirely with this latest change.
Bah humbug.
Feb 3, 2009, 6:54 am
#62
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The system will take into account all Elites waiting for upgrades before offering Day of departure Upgrades to other customers.
o For example if there are 6 open first class seats on a flight and there are 5
Elite members that have not been upgraded, we will only offer 1 seat to be
sold during check-in.
o For example if there are 6 open first class seats on a flight and there are 5
Elite members that have not been upgraded, we will only offer 1 seat to be
sold during check-in.
Feb 3, 2009, 6:58 am
#63
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Why pay for something when it is a benefit you are entitled if available under the current system?
Feb 3, 2009, 7:04 am
#64
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My question, however, relates to companion upgrades. Under CO's current (in my opinion terrible) companion upgrade process it seems that all the kiosk buy-ups will go ahead of companion upgrades. I've always thought CO's companion upgrade system was wonky, but they might as well just get rid of the program entirely with this latest change.
I have no problems with CO trying to extract the tiny bit of incremental revenue out of the F seats that are flying empty, but I think that there are a few gotchas in the scheme right now.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:05 am
#65
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Even if they think their math is sound, based on how I interpret this it still could result in elites sitting in the back while buyups are up front. Consider the following two scenarios:
1) 5 elites eligible for upgrade, 6 available seats. They sell one of these FC upgrades with a confirmed seat assignment, leaving 5 elites for 5 seats. At the T-1 mark, a Plat elite adds a companion, which slides in ahead of the silver that was #5 on the list. The silver who was #5 does not get the battlefield upgrade, while there is a buyup up front
2) Same scenario, but instead of a companion upgrade, they sell a few revenue seats at the last minute. Again, a buyup was confirmed up front at check-in when they thought they had fewer elites than seats, but now because of revenue sales the bottom elites on the list do not clear at the gate.
1) 5 elites eligible for upgrade, 6 available seats. They sell one of these FC upgrades with a confirmed seat assignment, leaving 5 elites for 5 seats. At the T-1 mark, a Plat elite adds a companion, which slides in ahead of the silver that was #5 on the list. The silver who was #5 does not get the battlefield upgrade, while there is a buyup up front
2) Same scenario, but instead of a companion upgrade, they sell a few revenue seats at the last minute. Again, a buyup was confirmed up front at check-in when they thought they had fewer elites than seats, but now because of revenue sales the bottom elites on the list do not clear at the gate.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:06 am
#66
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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.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:10 am
#67
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If CO wants to extract (much more) incremental revenue they should consider E+ and administer the program a bit more logically than UA does.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:18 am
#68
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Effective Date: BETA testing will begin on a limited number of Kiosks on February 3, 2009. All kiosks will begin offering the upgrade on February 5, 2009 and continental.com check-in will offer this feature in the near future.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:19 am
#69
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I was hesitant and waiting for COINSIDER to chime in when I got this email, but this is not a rumor. Here are just a few details listed below.
Applies: Continental Airlines flights within North and South America (except to/from Hawaii, Argentina and Brazil) and all Continental flights within Asia and the Pacific (except for nonstop flights between Honolulu and Guam).
Applies: Continental Airlines flights within North and South America (except to/from Hawaii, Argentina and Brazil) and all Continental flights within Asia and the Pacific (except for nonstop flights between Honolulu and Guam).
Feb 3, 2009, 7:19 am
#70
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Bye-bye, promo/space availables.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:20 am
#71
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Feb 3, 2009, 7:26 am
#73
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Feb 3, 2009, 7:28 am
#74
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So while CO's stated intent may be not to upgrade non-status passengers over Elites, I have very little faith in their ability to implement such a system without issues.
The EUA system is automated, and there really shouldn't be any sort of "things that don't go properly" if they have their logic, business rules, and programming right. The problem is, there are issues from time to time with the way EUA works, combined with CO's extremely tight F inventory, that an error not in your favor can really impact you.
Feb 3, 2009, 7:37 am
#75
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I can say this program WILL take seats away from elites!
Here is my flying pattern:
Book outbound tix Friday for Monday...no effect...
Book return on Thursday am for Thursday PM-most likely in B (old H) as its a OW, and that is all that CO usually sells for OW, short dep time!
So..Pa Kettle who didnt feel like flying US and paying 2bucks for a coke..checks in online Wednesday evening. 3 elites are currently on the w/l for 4 seats (737-500, my "usual" plane). He sees a buy-up for 50bucks, and buys it! No problem, 3 elites, 3 seats left!
Thursday morning, I buy a B fare for the trip home. Having my wife with me, now I have the ability to "companion upgrade". I check in at the kiosk, and have my wife added to the list at the gate. T-1hour, and we have 5 people on the list for 3 seats!!! UHOH!!
So...Pa Kettle, me, my wife are sitting up front, and 2 gold are in the back! Oh how CO made so much off of the quick 50bucks!!!
But life is not that bad, as the 2 golds were given a seat in E+. Wait, no, they were given an aisle seat, with the middle blocked!
I have to say, IME, UA is a MUCH better system with E+ for non-F flights, and I really dont mind the E500's!
Here is my flying pattern:
Book outbound tix Friday for Monday...no effect...
Book return on Thursday am for Thursday PM-most likely in B (old H) as its a OW, and that is all that CO usually sells for OW, short dep time!
So..Pa Kettle who didnt feel like flying US and paying 2bucks for a coke..checks in online Wednesday evening. 3 elites are currently on the w/l for 4 seats (737-500, my "usual" plane). He sees a buy-up for 50bucks, and buys it! No problem, 3 elites, 3 seats left!
Thursday morning, I buy a B fare for the trip home. Having my wife with me, now I have the ability to "companion upgrade". I check in at the kiosk, and have my wife added to the list at the gate. T-1hour, and we have 5 people on the list for 3 seats!!! UHOH!!
So...Pa Kettle, me, my wife are sitting up front, and 2 gold are in the back! Oh how CO made so much off of the quick 50bucks!!!
But life is not that bad, as the 2 golds were given a seat in E+.
Wait, no, they were given an aisle seat, with the middle blocked! I have to say, IME, UA is a MUCH better system with E+ for non-F flights, and I really dont mind the E500's!