First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
#2792
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I have no idea...just a random thought.
#2794
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
On my last 3 domestic segments Delta sold 39 out of 40 F seats in advance. One of those segments, MSP-DCA on Monday morning, had 61 pax on the UG list; I was #5; my PM wife was #20. No one got upgraded.
On the last of the three, JFK-DCA on a CRJ-900, there was one seat unclaimed in F; they didn't upgrade #1 on the UG list, but rather gave the seat to a military officer in uniform (it was Veterans' Day) (I was #2 on the UG list).
On the other side of the coin, my wife got extremely lucky--we were flying DCA-ATL-SEA on a Thursday morning on cheap coach tickets; the ATL-SEA was an ETOPS 767 with 34 flat bed seats up front; my UG cleared 3 days in advance; leaving DCA, my wife was #5 on the UG list on my phone for 4 open seats--when we hit the ground at ATL, about 50 minutes before departure on the SEA leg, we got the great news that there was a no show and that she got the final UG to flat bed glory.
On the last of the three, JFK-DCA on a CRJ-900, there was one seat unclaimed in F; they didn't upgrade #1 on the UG list, but rather gave the seat to a military officer in uniform (it was Veterans' Day) (I was #2 on the UG list).
On the other side of the coin, my wife got extremely lucky--we were flying DCA-ATL-SEA on a Thursday morning on cheap coach tickets; the ATL-SEA was an ETOPS 767 with 34 flat bed seats up front; my UG cleared 3 days in advance; leaving DCA, my wife was #5 on the UG list on my phone for 4 open seats--when we hit the ground at ATL, about 50 minutes before departure on the SEA leg, we got the great news that there was a no show and that she got the final UG to flat bed glory.
#2795
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,403
#2796
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM, HH Silver
Posts: 64
I try not to buy up to first often but this one was too tempting.
Flying next week I am on a u fare sea-dtw and back. Seat map was showing about 8 seats open on a 757. It's been a tough upgrade for me this year. Earlier this week it was $424 for the upgrade, then mid week $262. I was frustrated waiting for someone to jump on them.
I had missed my last 4 upgrades going to either msp or dtw as a diamond and usually by 6 or 7.
Today I looked and it was $166 to upgrade for both legs... I bit.
No wonder I never get upgrades anymore.
Lately there have been 3-4 seats at t-24 and by take off they are gone.
Flying next week I am on a u fare sea-dtw and back. Seat map was showing about 8 seats open on a 757. It's been a tough upgrade for me this year. Earlier this week it was $424 for the upgrade, then mid week $262. I was frustrated waiting for someone to jump on them.
I had missed my last 4 upgrades going to either msp or dtw as a diamond and usually by 6 or 7.
Today I looked and it was $166 to upgrade for both legs... I bit.
No wonder I never get upgrades anymore.
Lately there have been 3-4 seats at t-24 and by take off they are gone.
#2800
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
#2804
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: msp
Programs: AA PLT 3MM, DL PM 2MM
Posts: 1,142
MSP PLT and UG/FCM
As I end the year I share my thoughts and welcome others with their UG strategy and experience out of MSP for PLTs. At the beginning of 2015 I had about 50% UG experience but that fell off after maybe March. My connections are mostly east and west coast (LGA/DC/SFO/LAX). Begin to notice FCM not that much higher than coach especially if plan ahead. So for the rest of the year did FCM most of the time. I'm sure DL likes that. Now planning for 2016. How is UG's at the 72 hour time point or at the gate for other PLT's in MSP currently. Still a challenge? Also I've noticed UA FCM often beats DL $$$$$ for west coast. Something I"m keeping in mind. Welcome others strategies and experiences out of MSP. Thanks
#2805
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: home airport RSW
Programs: Delta Plat, Marriott Life Gold, ***Princess Status***
Posts: 875
DM now, was PLT 50% of the year - have the reserve card. Purchase mostly airfare 1-2 weeks in advance.
Made about 66% of UG on status MSP to LAX/SFO/SMF and those barely, never ever in by a lot.
Made about 66% of UG on status MSP to LAX/SFO/SMF and those barely, never ever in by a lot.