First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Jan 8, 2016, 1:40 pm
#2881
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The problem I have personally have encountered if it is on one PNR. For example, I've had AMS-CDG-MIA-BOS-AMS in the past. MIA-BOS was not eligible for FCM and it also was NOT eligible for SDC to earlier flights (etc.). With regard to SDC was told it has to do with being part of an international itinerary. I believe it's the same situation with FCM (but, I have never really examined it personally). Going forward, I now would book the USA/domestic segments separately. In this case, the MIA-BOS as just a one way. In many cases, since USA/domestic fares are the same pricing one way as roundtrip or part of a multi-city itinerary it was a fine work around. Of course, YMMV with regard to specific routings and fare basis.
Jan 8, 2016, 2:04 pm
#2882
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When I did the SIN MR I got some sort of offer; I think it was $999 per segment.
Jan 8, 2016, 3:20 pm
#2883
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AFAIK, DL does not fly MIA-BOS direct, so perhaps it is a code share, hence the inability to upgrade and get SDC?
Jan 8, 2016, 8:16 pm
#2884
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WSJ published another article on FCM today. Wow 57% of FC seats are paid today, DL wants that up to 70%...
http://www.wsj.com/articles/going-on...des-1452105322
http://www.wsj.com/articles/going-on...des-1452105322
Jan 9, 2016, 5:43 pm
#2885
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ft Lauderdale
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Posts: 116
Amazing how successful Delta has been at devaluing Diamond status
I left DL 4 years ago (was a Diamond since its inception). Now I'm an AA EXP.
I'm enjoying following this thread. It's interesting to me that you Diamond members are now paying 50% to 100% more for tickets (including FCM) than you were 4 years ago but this conversation is about patting yourselves on the back that you are getting upgrades at what you consider good prices rather than the free upgrades you used to enjoy. I guess Delta is a lot smarter than their frequent customers.
Loyalty seems to only work in one direction.
I'm enjoying following this thread. It's interesting to me that you Diamond members are now paying 50% to 100% more for tickets (including FCM) than you were 4 years ago but this conversation is about patting yourselves on the back that you are getting upgrades at what you consider good prices rather than the free upgrades you used to enjoy. I guess Delta is a lot smarter than their frequent customers.
Loyalty seems to only work in one direction.
Jan 9, 2016, 8:57 pm
#2886
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
I left DL 4 years ago (was a Diamond since its inception). Now I'm an AA EXP.
I'm enjoying following this thread. It's interesting to me that you Diamond members are now paying 50% to 100% more for tickets (including FCM) than you were 4 years ago but this conversation is about patting yourselves on the back that you are getting upgrades at what you consider good prices rather than the free upgrades you used to enjoy. I guess Delta is a lot smarter than their frequent customers.
Loyalty seems to only work in one direction.
I'm enjoying following this thread. It's interesting to me that you Diamond members are now paying 50% to 100% more for tickets (including FCM) than you were 4 years ago but this conversation is about patting yourselves on the back that you are getting upgrades at what you consider good prices rather than the free upgrades you used to enjoy. I guess Delta is a lot smarter than their frequent customers.
Loyalty seems to only work in one direction.
Jan 9, 2016, 10:23 pm
#2887
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Jan 9, 2016, 11:30 pm
#2888
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1. A relatively small difference between published/available FC and coach fares at time of purchase, often highlighted on the DL checkout page by a "Fly First for only $xx more" box.
2. At anytime after the initial ticket sale up to check-in, a banner offering a buy-up to FC for some price that appears on the trip summary and/or seat selection screens on DL.com.
3. Within the actual check-in process starting at T-24, an offer to be assigned a seat in FC for some amount.
IME, 1 & 2 are often displayed as "per segment" but, if purchased, will apply to the entire trip. They'll also result in the trip being reticketed in an actual FC fare (i.e., P/A/G) and thus earning more MQD and MQM. And of course opening up SDC possibilities.
OTOH, #3 seems to just assign the seat for one segment and does not reticket to the new fare class, this not providing extra MQM. And SDC is a non-factor here since you're already checking in for the specific flight.
Jan 10, 2016, 7:00 pm
#2889
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Could be a tough year for UGs
TRAVEL WELL.
As a Medallion member, your loyalty is rewarded with exclusive perks. Enjoy our industry-leading benefits including Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), Unlimited opportunities for the first class seat you are not willing to pay for and thus do not deserve and Choice Benefits for Diamond and Platinum Medallion members.
The SkyMiles Medallion Program page on DL.com, as some here wished it read.
As a Medallion member, your loyalty is rewarded with exclusive perks. Enjoy our industry-leading benefits including Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), Unlimited opportunities for the first class seat you are not willing to pay for and thus do not deserve and Choice Benefits for Diamond and Platinum Medallion members.
The SkyMiles Medallion Program page on DL.com, as some here wished it read.
Jan 13, 2016, 2:48 pm
#2890
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Michigan's West Coast and wherever my clients need me
Programs: Delta Diamond (2+M MQMs), Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium
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Probably good to clarify that people seem to talk about three different things as FCM:
1. A relatively small difference between published/available FC and coach fares at time of purchase, often highlighted on the DL checkout page by a "Fly First for only $xx more" box.
2. At anytime after the initial ticket sale up to check-in, a banner offering a buy-up to FC for some price that appears on the trip summary and/or seat selection screens on DL.com.
3. Within the actual check-in process starting at T-24, an offer to be assigned a seat in FC for some amount.
IME, 1 & 2 are often displayed as "per segment" but, if purchased, will apply to the entire trip. They'll also result in the trip being reticketed in an actual FC fare (i.e., P/A/G) and thus earning more MQD and MQM. And of course opening up SDC possibilities.
OTOH, #3 seems to just assign the seat for one segment and does not reticket to the new fare class, this not providing extra MQM. And SDC is a non-factor here since you're already checking in for the specific flight.
1. A relatively small difference between published/available FC and coach fares at time of purchase, often highlighted on the DL checkout page by a "Fly First for only $xx more" box.
2. At anytime after the initial ticket sale up to check-in, a banner offering a buy-up to FC for some price that appears on the trip summary and/or seat selection screens on DL.com.
3. Within the actual check-in process starting at T-24, an offer to be assigned a seat in FC for some amount.
IME, 1 & 2 are often displayed as "per segment" but, if purchased, will apply to the entire trip. They'll also result in the trip being reticketed in an actual FC fare (i.e., P/A/G) and thus earning more MQD and MQM. And of course opening up SDC possibilities.
OTOH, #3 seems to just assign the seat for one segment and does not reticket to the new fare class, this not providing extra MQM. And SDC is a non-factor here since you're already checking in for the specific flight.
Jan 13, 2016, 3:29 pm
#2891
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IND
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Posts: 1,301
My favorite is this:
1) buy a $300 (one-way) ticket within the 24 hour window before departure
2) get offered to buy up to FC for $200 during purchase. Decline
3) check-in. Get offered to buy up to FC for $150. Decline
4) wait one hour. Get upgraded.
Did this last week. What will be sad is when #4 is gone
Edited to add: flight went out with 5/12 empty seats in FC
1) buy a $300 (one-way) ticket within the 24 hour window before departure
2) get offered to buy up to FC for $200 during purchase. Decline
3) check-in. Get offered to buy up to FC for $150. Decline
4) wait one hour. Get upgraded.
Did this last week. What will be sad is when #4 is gone
Edited to add: flight went out with 5/12 empty seats in FC
Last edited by azeckel; Jan 13, 2016 at 8:19 pm
Jan 14, 2016, 10:22 pm
#2892
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Checked in earlier for a GSO-ATL-FLL trip tomorrow. FCM offers had been as high as $536 and as low as $256. Offered $199 at check in which I considered and rejected. A couple of dozen on each upgrade list and the first flight is still 17 hours away.
Jan 14, 2016, 10:34 pm
#2893
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Probably good to clarify that people seem to talk about three different things as FCM:
1. A relatively small difference between published/available FC and coach fares at time of purchase, often highlighted on the DL checkout page by a "Fly First for only $xx more" box.
2. At anytime after the initial ticket sale up to check-in, a banner offering a buy-up to FC for some price that appears on the trip summary and/or seat selection screens on DL.com.
3. Within the actual check-in process starting at T-24, an offer to be assigned a seat in FC for some amount.
IME, 1 & 2 are often displayed as "per segment" but, if purchased, will apply to the entire trip. They'll also result in the trip being reticketed in an actual FC fare (i.e., P/A/G) and thus earning more MQD and MQM. And of course opening up SDC possibilities.
OTOH, #3 seems to just assign the seat for one segment and does not reticket to the new fare class, this not providing extra MQM. And SDC is a non-factor here since you're already checking in for the specific flight.
1. A relatively small difference between published/available FC and coach fares at time of purchase, often highlighted on the DL checkout page by a "Fly First for only $xx more" box.
2. At anytime after the initial ticket sale up to check-in, a banner offering a buy-up to FC for some price that appears on the trip summary and/or seat selection screens on DL.com.
3. Within the actual check-in process starting at T-24, an offer to be assigned a seat in FC for some amount.
IME, 1 & 2 are often displayed as "per segment" but, if purchased, will apply to the entire trip. They'll also result in the trip being reticketed in an actual FC fare (i.e., P/A/G) and thus earning more MQD and MQM. And of course opening up SDC possibilities.
OTOH, #3 seems to just assign the seat for one segment and does not reticket to the new fare class, this not providing extra MQM. And SDC is a non-factor here since you're already checking in for the specific flight.
Jan 14, 2016, 10:36 pm
#2894
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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Posts: 12,646
Perversity in FCM pricing
Purchased FC fare for a 3-hop from PHL to ANC.
$710 for one-way (less than $230 more than coach).
Most of the other FC fares for same day were $1000 to $1900 one-way.
Beats the alternative of waitlisting on a GUC.
OMG... I'm going to the dark side.
$710 for one-way (less than $230 more than coach).
Most of the other FC fares for same day were $1000 to $1900 one-way.
Beats the alternative of waitlisting on a GUC.
OMG... I'm going to the dark side.
Jan 14, 2016, 11:37 pm
#2895
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
Im already there... welcome ....there are plenty of good a and g fares for the taking if one is flexible 😉