Guaranteed First Class
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:22 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: based out of LAX
Programs: UA 1K, AA Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond, National Executive, Starwood Gold
Posts: 701
If you read the UDU stats you wil see 1K is about 83% and I believe 1P is over 50% at least for those reporting from flyertalk. They start UDUs for 1Ks at 100 hours out. We are all kind of waiting to see what happens after the merger.
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:22 pm
#17
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
You would be suprised how many women are on FT. I hate to say this because I am not picking on YOU but an all-too-common line of thinking, but you just did it again. You assume this is a male orientated forum and you have no way of knowing that (except I can tell you I am a male).
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:23 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1KMM, DL Plt, AA, AS, HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Ttnm (LT PLT), Hertz PC, Enterprise Plt
Posts: 7,238
Out of my 60+ segments on DL this year, I've seen 1 flight that was offering upsells. And, as indicated below, as a Platinum, I'm 30/50 on upgrades, meaning that on the flights I've been on, the F cabin has been filled mainly with upper level PMs, DMs and paid F.
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:24 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: based out of LAX
Programs: UA 1K, AA Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond, National Executive, Starwood Gold
Posts: 701
You would be suprised how many women are on FT. I hate to say this because I am not picking on YOU but a all-too-common line of thinking, but you just did it again. You assume this is a male orientated forum and you have no way of knowing that (except I can tell you I am a male).
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:28 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,801
Hi all I just found this site and joined. I hope my first post doesn't offend too many........
I am based in Atlanta and fly on average 120k a year with a combination of international (atl-london) and cross country (atl-sea, lax). I have always purchased first class but recently people sitting next to me are telling me to buy the cheapest level tickets and just get easy upgrades (especially internal flights).
My question is related to travel in the US: is there a specifc level flight I can buy to guarantee an upgrade (Y or M) or can I instead just buy a changeable cheaper ticket level and pay to upgrade if an upgrade doesn't come thru in my window (I am PM)? My number one goal is to not play gate roulette or risk getting stuck in economy. I would be happy to risk buying an M or B ticket on every flight and then just pay for an upgrade to FC if I didn't get one for free if its possible.
I am in the lucky position of working for a company that pays for FC so its not my money but am getting fed up with sitting consistantly next to people telling me they have paid squat for their ticket etc. I am beginning to feel like I am being made a fool of by Delta for actually paying for a FC ticket..........
I am based in Atlanta and fly on average 120k a year with a combination of international (atl-london) and cross country (atl-sea, lax). I have always purchased first class but recently people sitting next to me are telling me to buy the cheapest level tickets and just get easy upgrades (especially internal flights).
My question is related to travel in the US: is there a specifc level flight I can buy to guarantee an upgrade (Y or M) or can I instead just buy a changeable cheaper ticket level and pay to upgrade if an upgrade doesn't come thru in my window (I am PM)? My number one goal is to not play gate roulette or risk getting stuck in economy. I would be happy to risk buying an M or B ticket on every flight and then just pay for an upgrade to FC if I didn't get one for free if its possible.
I am in the lucky position of working for a company that pays for FC so its not my money but am getting fed up with sitting consistantly next to people telling me they have paid squat for their ticket etc. I am beginning to feel like I am being made a fool of by Delta for actually paying for a FC ticket..........
(And my last rude drunk was a reality show "celebrity" who told everyone that "he paid for this seat and could "XXXX" curse if he wanted to and we could "XXXX" off)
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:29 pm
#21
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
There is a woman here that I know through acquaintance who is always addressed as a male. Most here still thinks she is...there are many of them that I know of. The question is why does it matter? I have worked for women many times over my career and some of the best managers and decision makers I know are women. I am not sure what that matters in travel but I get your point if somebody was rude to you BECAUSE you are a woman.
Last edited by avidflyer; Dec 27, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:29 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,777
avidflyer - thanks for sharing the great story!
Last edited by CJKatl; Dec 27, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Dec 27, 2010 | 6:39 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: based out of LAX
Programs: UA 1K, AA Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond, National Executive, Starwood Gold
Posts: 701
Again apologies all around if you were offended by my comments in ways I did not mean them. FWIW I am often not fitting the "F cabin" stereotype in terms of dress etc and would never think of that as an issue.
Dec 27, 2010 | 8:48 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta, Malaga
Programs: DL DIA, BA Gold
Posts: 135
Not sure where you fly.... but.... No, you can't always buy a cheap ticket and pay to upgrade. You can always buy at First Class ticket and get the upgrade, but I fly ATL to the Southern California area two to three times a month and there are NEVER any upgrades for sale on my flights. And as PM flying cheap fares I am less then 50% on the upgrades.
(And my last rude drunk was a reality show "celebrity" who told everyone that "he paid for this seat and could "XXXX" curse if he wanted to and we could "XXXX" off)
(And my last rude drunk was a reality show "celebrity" who told everyone that "he paid for this seat and could "XXXX" curse if he wanted to and we could "XXXX" off)
Normal FC ATL-SEA is $1400, B ticket is $800, if at the 5 day window I don't get an upgrade I can then just go online and change B ticket to another flight the same day as FC and pay the $600 difference. This would seem to be a way to take the risk out if I don't get an upgrade.
I guess I could also start to use some SWU if they would work.
Dec 27, 2010 | 8:53 pm
#25
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
Dec 27, 2010 | 9:09 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ & Shanghai
Programs: Happily off the elite hamster wheel
Posts: 215
OP: Don't forget, if you start buying B & M fares, that 50% MQM Class of Service bonus would probably bump you over to DM, thus increasing your chances later of an UG from lower fares.
Dec 27, 2010 | 10:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Miami
Programs: DL Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 568
It's such a game though; do I pay the premium for guaranteed first-class cabin, or risk the uncomfortable cabin for short people?
Dec 27, 2010 | 11:23 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CDG / ORY
Programs: DL DM & 2MM
Posts: 317
Anyway, if you fly BIS 120k a year, then I would start out with a status match to DL (if you're not already there; sorry I can't see your profile there), maybe buy some A tickets at first but once you reach DM (which you should be able to do BIS based on occasional premium fare purchases), most of the time you should buy the cheapest available coach fare or at least something fairly cheap like a K. That should net you >95% upgrades if you also invest in a tool like expertflyer or KVS to give you a sense of how wide open F is when you buy your ticket. Obviously on DM-heavy routes like long-hauls out of ATL or JFK to SFO/LAX you may not want to risk it and instead buy first outright. But most of the time on a T fare as a DM you'll snag the upgrade.
Dec 27, 2010 | 11:50 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,527
I gotta tell ya, reading your post makes me think you are NOT a frequent flyer. "The profile" ...huh? You may not think I fit "the profile" but I fly 200+k a year and am a senior executive with a large company.
One of my best encounters was a while back on a transcon. I was in 1B and two DYKWIA's were in 2A/B blathering on about how much they spend to sit up front, how big the deal they are GOING to close is, how they cannot be productive if they are not comfy, and how free upgrades are degrading the service...blah, blah, blahditty blah. I had to have a look at these DB's because they were loud and obnoxious so coming back from the lav I did. They gave me a look as if to say "you are not in our league. I am relatively young, I travel in nice cloths but not suits. Anyone who flies every week and is not going straight to a meeting knows that there is no reason to over dress for a flight unless you have to. That apparently was enough for them to think I do not fit the profile. Fast forward to the next day. I have several providers coming in to see me for the final round of an RFQ worth $25 Million USD. 6 finalists.GUESS WHO WALKS IN. They saw me, they knew it (though they pretended they did not) and they felt like crap. It was all over their faces the entire 5 HOUR meeting. As it turns out they lost based on other factors because I would never let something like that impact how I manage my companies businessbut I guarantee you these guys do not profile anyone any longer.
There is no profile. There are only over active egos who think there is.
One of my best encounters was a while back on a transcon. I was in 1B and two DYKWIA's were in 2A/B blathering on about how much they spend to sit up front, how big the deal they are GOING to close is, how they cannot be productive if they are not comfy, and how free upgrades are degrading the service...blah, blah, blahditty blah. I had to have a look at these DB's because they were loud and obnoxious so coming back from the lav I did. They gave me a look as if to say "you are not in our league. I am relatively young, I travel in nice cloths but not suits. Anyone who flies every week and is not going straight to a meeting knows that there is no reason to over dress for a flight unless you have to. That apparently was enough for them to think I do not fit the profile. Fast forward to the next day. I have several providers coming in to see me for the final round of an RFQ worth $25 Million USD. 6 finalists.GUESS WHO WALKS IN. They saw me, they knew it (though they pretended they did not) and they felt like crap. It was all over their faces the entire 5 HOUR meeting. As it turns out they lost based on other factors because I would never let something like that impact how I manage my companies businessbut I guarantee you these guys do not profile anyone any longer.
There is no profile. There are only over active egos who think there is.
Thanks for sharing!
Dec 28, 2010 | 12:05 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,777
Once every few years, a couple of my expense reports are audited to ensure compliance with corporate standards. There are also certain expenses that will flag an automatic audit and/or higher level approval, including any airfare over $500 o/w or $800 r/t. None of my expenses have ever been questioned, although I respect the trust and always follow our purchasing guidelines.
While I don't know the accounting end, so I don't know how they would substantiate the expenses, somehow they do.