First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Oct 12, 2015, 8:15 am
#2701
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: SPG, DL
Posts: 307
ATL-DCA $90 RT offer at check in on the mobile app. Obviously took it.
The surprising thing was that AMEX considered this eligible for the $200 fee reimbursement on the AMEX Plat card and the credit showed up Friday. Hadn't seen anyone post that FCM was eligible for the fee credit before (if I missed it I apologize).
The surprising thing was that AMEX considered this eligible for the $200 fee reimbursement on the AMEX Plat card and the credit showed up Friday. Hadn't seen anyone post that FCM was eligible for the fee credit before (if I missed it I apologize).
Oct 12, 2015, 8:46 am
#2702
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Minneapolis, originally from Cincinnati
Programs: Diamond with Delta, Hyatt and Hilton. 2 MM and Plat with America (thank you citi:))
Posts: 2,345
How is this any different from someone high on the UG list checking in two hours before departure? I often wait until I'm certain that I won't need to try a SDC to check in because I've found those are easier for the agents to process if I'm not checked in. This often means I check in 1-2 hours for a flight.
Flight before can cancel which will total change the upgrade list. People on a paid first ticket can SDC at the last minute (yesterday I was flying out of IAD on a FCM ticket and was near DCA having brunch with some friends and noticed there was still a First class seat available on a flight leaving in 70 minutes and called and got the last seat and my friends dropped me off at the airport and I got home a lot earlier and didn't have to go out to IAD.
In the case mentioned about buying a seat two hours in advance, it's possible if the OP was a diamond that all the diamonds had already cleared ahead of time anyway.
Oct 12, 2015, 9:01 am
#2703
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,789
Flight before can cancel which will total change the upgrade list. People on a paid first ticket can SDC at the last minute (yesterday I was flying out of IAD on a FCM ticket and was near DCA having brunch with some friends and noticed there was still a First class seat available on a flight leaving in 70 minutes and called and got the last seat and my friends dropped me off at the airport and I got home a lot earlier and didn't have to go out to IAD.
Oct 12, 2015, 11:49 am
#2704
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LHR, MSN
Programs: WFBF, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 204
ATL-DCA $90 RT offer at check in on the mobile app. Obviously took it.
The surprising thing was that AMEX considered this eligible for the $200 fee reimbursement on the AMEX Plat card and the credit showed up Friday. Hadn't seen anyone post that FCM was eligible for the fee credit before (if I missed it I apologize).
The surprising thing was that AMEX considered this eligible for the $200 fee reimbursement on the AMEX Plat card and the credit showed up Friday. Hadn't seen anyone post that FCM was eligible for the fee credit before (if I missed it I apologize).
Oct 12, 2015, 2:05 pm
#2705
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
How is this any different from someone high on the UG list checking in two hours before departure? I often wait until I'm certain that I won't need to try a SDC to check in because I've found those are easier for the agents to process if I'm not checked in. This often means I check in 1-2 hours for a flight.
Oct 12, 2015, 3:30 pm
#2706
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,072
Hard to know these days how many people clear in advance or at the gate. Only data point I have is that the DM next to me was on an award and got up front because whomever had that seat was a no-show.
Oct 16, 2015, 6:59 pm
#2707
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YHZ. Previously YYC
Posts: 1,924
Hi Everyone,
I just booked a one way YHZ-JFK-FLL flight. I booked it through an online Canadian travel agent.
When I go to DL.Com and check my reservation, there is no where it asks me to purchase an upgrade my flight.
Wondering if this has to do with the fact I purchased a one way flight, or that I used a travel agent?
Any insight?
I just booked a one way YHZ-JFK-FLL flight. I booked it through an online Canadian travel agent.
When I go to DL.Com and check my reservation, there is no where it asks me to purchase an upgrade my flight.
Wondering if this has to do with the fact I purchased a one way flight, or that I used a travel agent?
Any insight?
Oct 16, 2015, 7:03 pm
#2708
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,277
Hi Everyone,
I just booked a one way YHZ-JFK-FLL flight. I booked it through an online Canadian travel agent.
When I go to DL.Com and check my reservation, there is no where it asks me to purchase an upgrade my flight.
Wondering if this has to do with the fact I purchased a one way flight, or that I used a travel agent?
Any insight?
I just booked a one way YHZ-JFK-FLL flight. I booked it through an online Canadian travel agent.
When I go to DL.Com and check my reservation, there is no where it asks me to purchase an upgrade my flight.
Wondering if this has to do with the fact I purchased a one way flight, or that I used a travel agent?
Any insight?
Oct 16, 2015, 7:14 pm
#2709
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YHZ. Previously YYC
Posts: 1,924
Oct 16, 2015, 8:28 pm
#2710
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
At check-in it's possible because at that point Delta controls the ticket. You don't get it in advance because Delta would have to take over the ticket from the TA.
Oct 22, 2015, 2:40 pm
#2711
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SDF
Programs: DL DM, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 62
There is really a huge gap in the FCM from day to day. We are taking a family member to New York during Thanksgiving and F is barely full at this point. Yesterday it was $90 to upgrade each person to F for the whole trip. I decided I would do it since I'm Diamond, my partner is Gold and our nephew is no status. Today the offer came up at $307 per person for the whole trip, which is not worth it. We are in EC+ and will get free drinks and great seats on the CR7 that just replaced the E145 on this route.
Oct 22, 2015, 3:08 pm
#2712
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
There is really a huge gap in the FCM from day to day. We are taking a family member to New York during Thanksgiving and F is barely full at this point. Yesterday it was $90 to upgrade each person to F for the whole trip. I decided I would do it since I'm Diamond, my partner is Gold and our nephew is no status. Today the offer came up at $307 per person for the whole trip, which is not worth it. We are in EC+ and will get free drinks and great seats on the CR7 that just replaced the E145 on this route.
Why on earth would you wait? Did you think the price would go down?
Oct 22, 2015, 3:10 pm
#2713
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
It's $160 (total, or $80 each way) for me to buy first instead of coach from ATL to DFW and back again (at time of initial purchase). I know it's ultimately subjective based on how much you value the cabin, but is that a deal that most around here would snap up? I'm on the fence mainly because I'm diamond and have won the upgrade roulette a bunch lately.
Last edited by GatorBlues; Oct 22, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Oct 22, 2015, 3:21 pm
#2714
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
It's $160 for me to buy first instead of coach from ATL to DFW and back again (at time of initial purchase). I know it's ultimately subjective based on how much you value the cabin, but is that a deal that most around here would snap up? I'm on the fence mainly because I'm diamond and have won the upgrade roulette a bunch lately.
I would certainly pay that if I anticipated needing SDC flexibility on either leg.
Oct 22, 2015, 4:36 pm
#2715
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159