It depends. It the flight is F10 but V0, then yes, it may be an example. However, if the flight is F10 and V4 (or any number >0), then no. The reason I bold may is that all upgrades may have already cleared (or all the upgrade inventory has been allotted to DM/PMs). You'll need a ExpertFlyer subscription to view V class availability.

Additionally, "FCM Fares" are P fares--if a flight is F10 V0 but P4 or something like that, then that flight has probably been "FCMed". If you provide some flight numbers, I'm sure someone with an ExpertFlyer or KVS subscription will pull availability for you.

-Travis

Flights are V0 with plenty of F. Can't first class monezation occur simply by holding of the V inventory hoping to get people to purchase F?

Really wouldn't be FCM if they weren't selling FC at a discounted price. FCM refers to DL holding back FC seats and selling them as P fares (Q-ups, H-up and M-ups mostly) that cost little more than the best coach price available. PM StayingHomeIsBetter if you have any questions about FCM

I just looked at a few random SLC-PDX flights on Wednesday (midweek) and all they're selling is M fares. I would guess that DL is pushing P fares on this route because only M fares are available--it's just $113 for a buyup off a M fare (but would be considerably more off of a LUTE fare).

Book it and see if you get a P fare offer.

DL2038 - Monetize First Class Working??
 

22Dec
DL2038, SFO-ATL
F
33 of 36 seats assigned
3 seats available

Really? I'm sure some Diamonds and Platinums have cleared. But this seems like a lot of F seats booked at this point.

Also, this appears to be an internationally configured 767. Is this typical for this flight?

Anyone have any insights?

I SDC'ed to this flight about a month ago (on a Saturday), and took the last F seat at T-3 hours. Both cabins went out full with nobody getting upgraded at the gate, despite the upgrade list of 48 people. The flight was fairly packed in both cabins more than one week prior to departure; I don't think that anyone got an upgrade to V, aside from the possible full Y fares booked further in advance.

In my experience, the international aircraft on domestic routes usually seem fairly full up front before the upgrades start to run.

To the contrary, flew JFK-LAX, swapped to the new 764 and everyone on the list cleared with seats left.

Not at all. Many many Diamonds ride in the back on that flight.

I think this has to do more with the day in question...i.e. Thursday before Christmas.

Off topic, but I was under the impression that when an elite does an SDC at T-3 hours, the only way to get the upgrade is to play the gate lottery. And that all upgrade inventory zeros out at T-3 hours and becomes subject to airport control.

I have SDC'd several times where I was reasonably sure that I would get to be #1 on the list because just before the 3 hour window, there was upgrade inventory available. But again, that zeros out at the T-3 mark.

I've SDC'd within T-2 hours and gone straight into F, but it was a segment on a J ticket, so perhaps your T-3 does apply, but just to UGs.

Yeah, if you are already in F/J you can SDC into any open F seat.

I was confirmed in R on another flight, and thus booked into the forward cabin automatically through SDC.

it is rare for that to happen but it does occasionally.