First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Jan 15, 2016, 7:27 am
#2896
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I would have rejected it on that short of a flight. If you are doing it at check in you are missing out on the SDC flexibility and the bonus 50% mqm's (two of the things that I factor in when buying a FCM ticket).
Jan 15, 2016, 7:29 am
#2897
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I booked a couple DTW/LAS trips this week and appears they are no longer doing FCM on that route or at least the trips I'm taking. $870 more on the one tripe RT and over $1,000 more on the other and I have an M ticket returning on the later flight and F is wide open on both. Hopefully the fare difference stays that high, I've found when there is a big difference between coach and first class, the first class tickets don't sell and I get upgraded.
Jan 15, 2016, 9:27 am
#2898
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Glad we agree, and it's not like either F product (M88/753) is much to get excited about either. I have C+ on each flight too.
Jan 15, 2016, 3:31 pm
#2899
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,220
Just booked YEG-ORD, no offer. Kinda surprised since F was only about $75 more than coach, must be because it's international. I have the Amex plat for skyclub access, but for Joe Traveler, it's probably a pretty good deal. Have a few drinks on the flights, check a bag, use the skyclub and you'll easily come out ahead.
EDIT: I decided to call in, I though $75 was not a horrible deal and I could just apply it towards my $200 fee credit. The agent originally quoted something like $160, I told him the website had the fare difference at $110CAD. He searched some more and then quoted $28USD! Took that without hesitation!
EDIT: I decided to call in, I though $75 was not a horrible deal and I could just apply it towards my $200 fee credit. The agent originally quoted something like $160, I told him the website had the fare difference at $110CAD. He searched some more and then quoted $28USD! Took that without hesitation!
Last edited by United747; Jan 15, 2016 at 4:01 pm Reason: See above
Jan 15, 2016, 6:46 pm
#2900
Join Date: Jan 2014
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Jan 15, 2016, 7:54 pm
#2902
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Jan 15, 2016, 8:09 pm
#2903
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Booked at one-way ticket yesterday. FCM increment was $288, which was 1.6X the base coach fare (so FC was 2.6X coach), so I passed.
Checked my itinerary today (still within the 24 hr grace period).
Was offered FCM for $318... but, for a new reservation, difference between FC and coach is still $288.
The RM random number generator.
Checked my itinerary today (still within the 24 hr grace period).
Was offered FCM for $318... but, for a new reservation, difference between FC and coach is still $288.
The RM random number generator.
Jan 15, 2016, 8:52 pm
#2904
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Booked at one-way ticket yesterday. FCM increment was $288, which was 1.6X the base coach fare (so FC was 2.6X coach), so I passed.
Checked my itinerary today (still within the 24 hr grace period).
Was offered FCM for $318... but, for a new reservation, difference between FC and coach is still $288.
The RM random number generator.
Checked my itinerary today (still within the 24 hr grace period).
Was offered FCM for $318... but, for a new reservation, difference between FC and coach is still $288.
The RM random number generator.
RM = Revenue (Mis?)Management
RN = Random Number
RN = Revenue Nonsense
Jan 15, 2016, 10:08 pm
#2905
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Yeah, that's what I meant. You don't get the last-seat SDC rules when buying option #3, since your ticketed fare class does not change.
Jan 16, 2016, 10:41 pm
#2906
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SMF
Programs: DL DM, WN A-List, AA Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 212
Booked a flight a few days ago for June...SMF-LAX-MEM-MSP-SMF. Flight was $530ish in Y and over $1000 in F (in my experience normal fares for this routing in June, which is why I just bought it). Upgraded to C+ for $20 (no status at the moment, although I probably will by then), FCM is showing $518 right now. Hoping that will drop down in the coming months, but we'll see.
On the other hand, SMF-LAX-SMF a few weeks from now (booked it last month). Initial FCM offer was $930(!) for an hour flight each way, it has now dropped to $198. No thank you.
Also OW SMF-ATL-TPA booked <24 hours before departure on a K fare with F showing 3 seats available at booking. Was never given the option to upgrade.
On the other hand, SMF-LAX-SMF a few weeks from now (booked it last month). Initial FCM offer was $930(!) for an hour flight each way, it has now dropped to $198. No thank you.
Also OW SMF-ATL-TPA booked <24 hours before departure on a K fare with F showing 3 seats available at booking. Was never given the option to upgrade.
Jan 17, 2016, 10:11 am
#2907
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Booked a flight a few days ago for June...SMF-LAX-MEM-MSP-SMF. Flight was $530ish in Y and over $1000 in F (in my experience normal fares for this routing in June, which is why I just bought it). Upgraded to C+ for $20 (no status at the moment, although I probably will by then), FCM is showing $518 right now. Hoping that will drop down in the coming months, but we'll see.
On the other hand, SMF-LAX-SMF a few weeks from now (booked it last month). Initial FCM offer was $930(!) for an hour flight each way, it has now dropped to $198. No thank you.
Also OW SMF-ATL-TPA booked <24 hours before departure on a K fare with F showing 3 seats available at booking. Was never given the option to upgrade.
On the other hand, SMF-LAX-SMF a few weeks from now (booked it last month). Initial FCM offer was $930(!) for an hour flight each way, it has now dropped to $198. No thank you.
Also OW SMF-ATL-TPA booked <24 hours before departure on a K fare with F showing 3 seats available at booking. Was never given the option to upgrade.
I currently have an "FCM" offer on an upcoming SMF-RDU for $691, the coach fare I bought was $269. Recently there have been <$700 G fares to RDU, so I am hoping that FCM will drop to about $400 closer to the date of travel, in which case I will consider it since I doubt I get upgraded now that I am dropping to gold.
I often never get FCM offers at all on my itineraries out of SMF. I guess they are selling most of the F at asking price, which jives with my track record for upgrades, which is fairly poor on SMF-SLC/MSP/ATL and vv.
Last edited by PV_Premier; Jan 17, 2016 at 10:16 am
Jan 17, 2016, 10:55 am
#2908
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,220
IME, upgrade and FCM offers to SMF are stingy at best. The last one I saw was $299 on ATL-SMF at OLCI about 6 weeks ago. On the remaining 3/4 segments of that trip I got no offers at all.
I currently have an "FCM" offer on an upcoming SMF-RDU for $691, the coach fare I bought was $269. Recently there have been <$700 G fares to RDU, so I am hoping that FCM will drop to about $400 closer to the date of travel, in which case I will consider it since I doubt I get upgraded now that I am dropping to gold.
I often never get FCM offers at all on my itineraries out of SMF. I guess they are selling most of the F at asking price, which jives with my track record for upgrades, which is fairly poor on SMF-SLC/MSP/ATL and vv.
I currently have an "FCM" offer on an upcoming SMF-RDU for $691, the coach fare I bought was $269. Recently there have been <$700 G fares to RDU, so I am hoping that FCM will drop to about $400 closer to the date of travel, in which case I will consider it since I doubt I get upgraded now that I am dropping to gold.
I often never get FCM offers at all on my itineraries out of SMF. I guess they are selling most of the F at asking price, which jives with my track record for upgrades, which is fairly poor on SMF-SLC/MSP/ATL and vv.
EDIT:I misread SMF as SDF!
Jan 18, 2016, 8:38 pm
#2909
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If it works for you, look at MDW which is often cheaper from MSP. However, note that there's no SC at MDW.
Jan 18, 2016, 8:59 pm
#2910
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,220
As to FCM offers, ORD seems to have a little more aggressive FCM for my dates.