[Rumor] CO To Sell FC Upgrades
Feb 2, 2009, 7:30 pm
#1
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[Rumor] CO To Sell FC Upgrades
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CO to sell some First Class upgrades
CO will offer non-Elite customers the option to buy First Class upgrades on the day of departure beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3 on flights within North and South America (except to and from Hawaii, Argentina and Brazil) and within Asia and the Pacific (except for nonstop flights between Honolulu and Guam).
The change is being made to generate additional revenue for CO, and the company expects to earn $5 million to $10 million per year as a result of the new policy. Currently, all of CO’s major U.S. network competitors offer a similar program.
CO will offer non-Elite customers the option to buy First Class upgrades on the day of departure beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3 on flights within North and South America (except to and from Hawaii, Argentina and Brazil) and within Asia and the Pacific (except for nonstop flights between Honolulu and Guam).
The change is being made to generate additional revenue for CO, and the company expects to earn $5 million to $10 million per year as a result of the new policy. Currently, all of CO’s major U.S. network competitors offer a similar program.
Feb 2, 2009, 7:34 pm
#2
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Interesting first Buying upgrades ,
I wonder If next will be SWUs , eVips, 500 Milers and CR-1s @:-)
I wonder If next will be SWUs , eVips, 500 Milers and CR-1s @:-)
Feb 2, 2009, 7:45 pm
#3
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If they are only available after all eligible elites and everyone else on the battlefield list has been accommodated then no big deal (and probably very little revenue as there aren't too many flights with F demand that are going out with empties, I'd guess). If they are selling upgrades rather than seating elites then things could get ugly in a hurry.
Then again, if the policy really is supposed to go into effect starting tomorrow I'd think that the rumors would have started earlier. After all, there are a LOT of GAs to train on the system and someone would have spilled the beans earlier than this.
Then again, if the policy really is supposed to go into effect starting tomorrow I'd think that the rumors would have started earlier. After all, there are a LOT of GAs to train on the system and someone would have spilled the beans earlier than this.
Feb 2, 2009, 7:45 pm
#4
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If true, I hope mechanisms will be put in place to prevent GAs from upgrading buy-ups ahead of Elites a la US and DL.
Feb 2, 2009, 7:54 pm
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It could explain why the EUA's for many posters DO flights haven't cleared, beyond the usual expectation of CO trying selling the seats to last minute people.
Feb 2, 2009, 7:59 pm
#6
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So what is the $ buy up and mechanism?
Feb 2, 2009, 8:08 pm
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One would think (not a usual management thing) that if it were going into effect tomorrow that there would be some advertising or promotion. Maybe it'll just be a Kiosk or OLCI option?
I'll look & listen around EWR tomorrow morning?
I'll look & listen around EWR tomorrow morning?
Feb 2, 2009, 8:08 pm
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Feb 2, 2009, 8:09 pm
#9
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How about letting Elites buy-up too (i.e., jump to the head of the line with cash in hand)? A hated concept, I'm sure, on this board but a sure-fire money-maker.
Feb 2, 2009, 8:11 pm
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Feb 2, 2009, 8:14 pm
#11
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Feb 2, 2009, 8:15 pm
#12
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I would not object to SWUs. It would be better than the "co-pay" scam CO is running currently.
Feb 2, 2009, 8:15 pm
#13
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Beside the fact that probably 70% of the flights out of CLE are on Continental, that "revenue plan" will lose this plat's loyalty.
There's always other airlines/airports. Ain't America great?
There's always other airlines/airports. Ain't America great?
Feb 2, 2009, 8:16 pm
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Feb 2, 2009, 8:46 pm
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