View Poll Results: If Delta opts to sell upgrades ((_before giving Medallions their comp upgrades_))
I would become less loyal to Delta
569
78.92%
I would become more loyal to Delta
45
6.24%
My loyalty to Delta wouldn't be affected one way or the other
107
14.84%
Voters: 721. You may not vote on this poll
DL ready to roll out 'F' buy up program
Dec 15, 2010, 6:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CONUS
Posts: 474
DL ready to roll out 'F' buy up program
Surprised this hasn't posted yet...At today's Investors Day (Dec 15) Delta mentioned it is testing a first class upgrade buy-up program. The plan is to roll it out in the second quarter of 2011.
The first mention of this was a bullet point to "Monetize First Class."
Further on there is more mention of the first class up-sells...with the goal of increasing the percentage of these sales.
That's it for specifics...Now as someone who reads the Continental One Pass board, this is a hot issue over there. Depending on what you read and who you believe, Continental's aggressive up-sell attempt has eaten away at upgrades - or it has had minimal effect. I would expect the responses over here, once it's rolled out system wide, to be similar.
The idea of up-sell, to me, means a chance to upgrade your just purchased coach class ticket to first class for a designated price. It also means a similar chance at time of check-in to pay for the upgrade again.
Here's a link to the specific page in the investors presenation:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External...xUeXBlPTI=&t=1
The first mention of this was a bullet point to "Monetize First Class."
Further on there is more mention of the first class up-sells...with the goal of increasing the percentage of these sales.
That's it for specifics...Now as someone who reads the Continental One Pass board, this is a hot issue over there. Depending on what you read and who you believe, Continental's aggressive up-sell attempt has eaten away at upgrades - or it has had minimal effect. I would expect the responses over here, once it's rolled out system wide, to be similar.
The idea of up-sell, to me, means a chance to upgrade your just purchased coach class ticket to first class for a designated price. It also means a similar chance at time of check-in to pay for the upgrade again.
Here's a link to the specific page in the investors presenation:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External...xUeXBlPTI=&t=1
Last edited by N522US; Dec 15, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Dec 15, 2010, 6:25 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,020
Delta
Upsell is o.k. but only at check-in and after all reasonable Elite upgrades went through ... nothing like CO holding 1/2 of the seats and then selling them for cheap at check-in.
I hope SM realizes the potential impact of such a program on our loyalty.
Dec 15, 2010, 6:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM / PC APM / SPG GM / GP PM
Posts: 248
Dec 15, 2010, 6:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: DAL Plat, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 280
+1 for me as well. the upgrades have kept me from jumping ship to United as well - my idea of pluses:
- 5+ day out upgrades
- wifi (although free wifi sucks, no bandwidth)
- skyclub that doesn't require me to pay for drinks
awards and intl upgrades are not really problems for me - i've always been able to find the right fare at the right time - and I dont fly intl enough to make too much of a difference.
- 5+ day out upgrades
- wifi (although free wifi sucks, no bandwidth)
- skyclub that doesn't require me to pay for drinks
awards and intl upgrades are not really problems for me - i've always been able to find the right fare at the right time - and I dont fly intl enough to make too much of a difference.
Dec 15, 2010, 6:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,906
Dec 15, 2010, 6:35 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Well for all the people who say they want to protect the integrity of BE this is not far off that same argument. The discussions here should be fantastic. If you believe that premium BE cabins should not be diluted with free upgrades when not sold out then you should feel the same way about domestic cabins.
BTW, I think this is suicidal if they do it. UA has a pretty good program for free upgrades...not nearly as good as DL but if they take that away for everyone except DM's (lets face it, they are the only people who will get the few seats left) then I think DL will have a mass exodus on its hands. But that's just me.
BTW, I think this is suicidal if they do it. UA has a pretty good program for free upgrades...not nearly as good as DL but if they take that away for everyone except DM's (lets face it, they are the only people who will get the few seats left) then I think DL will have a mass exodus on its hands. But that's just me.
Dec 15, 2010, 6:35 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
Tomorrow I am flying CO from SJO IAH DEN. SJO to IAH was UGed at the 5 day Plat window, like both my flights down here. Nice BF'style acc on the 752. But IAH to DEN, nada, no F available. At least I will finish 3-4 on this itin which is good from my perspective because this one is a super cheap fare.
Then I have a DL itin to TUS of which one sector is upgradeable. So far, nada on that either.
Dec 15, 2010, 6:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Silver, SPG+, Hertz PC
Posts: 7,899
I guess it is possible not to release inventory for upgrades and peddle F-ups instead, but who gets to be asked ? B and M fares ?
Dec 15, 2010, 6:45 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EP, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 1,001
Dec 15, 2010, 6:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Delta Diamond, AA Exec. Plat., HHonors Gold, Marriot Silver, Hertz Pres. Circle, Starwood Gold, etc.
Posts: 142
Is this something different from the option to upgrade to first for x dollars more that I see at the bottom of each flight option when I book online? Usually, I find that the price increase for BE or First isn't worth it to me.
Dec 15, 2010, 6:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Silver, SPG+, Hertz PC
Posts: 7,899