Question about people in BE cabin
Jun 8, 2011, 7:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,055
Question about people in BE cabin
Ok, I am just curious here and I know Delta would never publish this..but am interested to hear your thoughts:
For International BE, are most people buying these tickets outright, or is it mostly YBM fare plus SWU, skymiles redemption, or non-revs? Is it truly fragmented or heavily skewed towards one or another?
Are most people who are purchasing BE tickets on their company's dime for work, or simply in a financial position to be able to do so for their own personal trips?
I know this is impossible to know exactly but thought some of you might have some insight.
For International BE, are most people buying these tickets outright, or is it mostly YBM fare plus SWU, skymiles redemption, or non-revs? Is it truly fragmented or heavily skewed towards one or another?
Are most people who are purchasing BE tickets on their company's dime for work, or simply in a financial position to be able to do so for their own personal trips?
I know this is impossible to know exactly but thought some of you might have some insight.
Jun 8, 2011, 8:20 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3
I've often wondered the same thing. Here are my personal stats as a data-point:
9 BE equipped flights in my 2+ years of international travel:
4 purchases in Y (client-paid)
3 purchases in Y (personal) - includes one op-up to BE as an FO (BOM - AMS)
2 purchases in J (client paid - I fares)
9 BE equipped flights in my 2+ years of international travel:
4 purchases in Y (client-paid)
3 purchases in Y (personal) - includes one op-up to BE as an FO (BOM - AMS)
2 purchases in J (client paid - I fares)
Jun 8, 2011, 8:21 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: TUP, MEM
Programs: DL DM, SPG Gold, Privium, CBP Global Entry, Delta Reserve AMEX, Delta Reserve Business AMEX
Posts: 231
Same for me but try to use swu, but will pay if get good fair. Usually on air France since routinely get better fare out of IAD or JFK.
Jun 8, 2011, 8:42 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New Orleans (for now)
Programs: DL PM, WN, SC, various other programs of lowly status
Posts: 1,673
Up until about 7 or 8 years ago, we would buy an upgradable fare in the 1800 to 2200 range and use our miles to upgrade.
Then the I fares (discounted BE) priced out at a little more than the upgradable fares so we banked our miles and bought the I fares.
We did that for a few years, then the price of the I fare inched up along with our mileage bank so now we buy me either the I or the S fare and use miles for Mr. Marylou. That way, I get to keep my PM status and we both fly up front for 3300 to 4000.
Then the I fares (discounted BE) priced out at a little more than the upgradable fares so we banked our miles and bought the I fares.
We did that for a few years, then the price of the I fare inched up along with our mileage bank so now we buy me either the I or the S fare and use miles for Mr. Marylou. That way, I get to keep my PM status and we both fly up front for 3300 to 4000.
Jun 8, 2011, 8:51 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Center City, MN
Programs: DL Diamond, MM, Hilton, Marriott, Priority Club, etc
Posts: 436
I would guess that it's definitely BE on the company dime.
There seems to be VERY limited SWU inventory available so you have to first find available inventory and then book your travel schedule accordingly.
There seems to be VERY limited SWU inventory available so you have to first find available inventory and then book your travel schedule accordingly.
Jun 8, 2011, 9:03 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
Myself, I have paid out of pocket for J fares and have paid for M fares several times. I probably purchase into J, through one form or another, on maybe 60-70% of my long-haul trips. Not all of that, however, is on DL.
Jun 8, 2011, 9:24 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
Markets like JFK-lhr are going to be dominated (>80%) by business travelers, but even then, only 10 months of the year (December and august being very light business months on this route).
JFK-nce, on the other hand, is much more of a tourist route. Same with JFK-psa.
Jun 8, 2011, 9:35 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
Ive only flown true BE once (i say true because i dont count ATL-STT's BE as real BE) from MSP-LHR, got an op-up as a GM, i was flying with a friend and half the BE cabin was empty and he wasnt upgraded with me, while asking about it i got yelled at by the FA because "all these people paid good money for the seats and you should be happy you got one free" after she walked away 3 people around me turned to me, 1 was bumped from his UA coach (i think it was) flight and got put in BE on DL, 2 were other medallions (a GM and PM) who were op-ups also.
Tho thats just my experience id say about 1/3-2/3 are paid BE, rest are non-rev, op-up, SWUs, etc.
Tho thats just my experience id say about 1/3-2/3 are paid BE, rest are non-rev, op-up, SWUs, etc.
Jun 8, 2011, 9:57 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
following diveplay's model
in 2010, 8 times seated in BE cabin, on 3 trips with a total of 10 legs with BE cabins.
3 times on BE award tickets (1 trip)
2 times on paid BE (1 trip, I fare PIT-TXL)
2 times on opup (1 trip, total 3 segments, missed one opup, paid class was U)
1 time with a very nice ticket agent who upgraded me (1 trip, 2 segments, paid class was T)
so counting the award ticket I guess I "paid" for BE about half the time.
in 2010, 8 times seated in BE cabin, on 3 trips with a total of 10 legs with BE cabins.
3 times on BE award tickets (1 trip)
2 times on paid BE (1 trip, I fare PIT-TXL)
2 times on opup (1 trip, total 3 segments, missed one opup, paid class was U)
1 time with a very nice ticket agent who upgraded me (1 trip, 2 segments, paid class was T)
so counting the award ticket I guess I "paid" for BE about half the time.
Jun 8, 2011, 10:35 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: MSP
Programs: DL - Diamond Medallion - 2 Million Miler; Marriott Gold Elite, Radisson GOLD. ParknGo loves me
Posts: 396
Agreed it's mostly paid BE fares.
Seems recently SWU upgrades are harder to come by...and discounted business (I) fares are tough as well
Seems recently SWU upgrades are harder to come by...and discounted business (I) fares are tough as well
Jun 8, 2011, 10:45 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,621
Who is in BE
Ok, I am just curious here and I know Delta would never publish this..but am interested to hear your thoughts:
For International BE, are most people buying these tickets outright, or is it mostly YBM fare plus SWU, skymiles redemption, or non-revs? Is it truly fragmented or heavily skewed towards one or another?
Are most people who are purchasing BE tickets on their company's dime for work, or simply in a financial position to be able to do so for their own personal trips?
I know this is impossible to know exactly but thought some of you might have some insight.
For International BE, are most people buying these tickets outright, or is it mostly YBM fare plus SWU, skymiles redemption, or non-revs? Is it truly fragmented or heavily skewed towards one or another?
Are most people who are purchasing BE tickets on their company's dime for work, or simply in a financial position to be able to do so for their own personal trips?
I know this is impossible to know exactly but thought some of you might have some insight.
When I do consulting in the Middle East I am always in BE. If they do not agree with that I do not go.
I have had some amazing good luck--helps to be a DM--lately with flights being oversold and I am placed in BE.