First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Mar 12, 2016, 6:57 pm
#2986
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: US-Europe
Programs: DL DM Charter/2.5MM, AA EXP, Marriott AMB, LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Avis PP, National Exec-E
Posts: 529
By now I've come to the realization that the 6 day window has become a fairy tale like unicorns, leprechauns, and the Loch Ness monster. ATL-PWM is not a hot ticket and a DM flying on an S fare would normally see the UG in the 6 day window, but DL is trying real hard at this FCM thing. At 6 days out there were 8 FC seats. Today, one day out, I got the UG and there were 8 seats still available. I am 40 of 41 so far for the year with UG, but 80% + have been battlefields (many with 5+ seats available).
Last edited by SYRRDU; Mar 12, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Mar 12, 2016, 8:54 pm
#2987
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, United Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 303
By now I've come to the realization that the 6 day window has become a fairy tale like unicorns, leprechauns, and the Loch Ness monster. ATL-PWM is not a hot ticket and a DM flying on an S fare would normally see the UG in the 6 day window, but DL is trying real hard at this FCM thing. At 6 days out there were 8 FC seats. Today, one day out, I got the UG and there were 8 seats still available. I am 40 of 41 so far for the year with UG, but 80% + have been battlefields (many with 5+ seats available).
Mar 13, 2016, 9:47 am
#2988
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
They are flying to Cleveland and you are flying on a Tuesday. Makes a huge difference
Mar 13, 2016, 11:09 am
#2989
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SMF
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt D
Posts: 416
I am almost done with Delta, I am done buying tickets on Delta (unless something changes dramatically). I have 3 round trips left, with 10 segments. So far this year I have flown 11 segments, with 0 upgrades. I was number 12 this morning on DEN to MSP after all the upgrades cleared as a Diamond. The closest I have gotten is ORD to MSP I was number 2 after they all cleared. Going to DEN last Thursday F was sold out 10 days in advance. Going to Maui in less than 3 weeks, only a few seats remain in F for MSP to LAX, and LAX to OGG. Coming back OGG to SEA is full in F. No reason to be loyal. I am facing more connections with American, but my average fair is 15% less now too. This first class monetization will keep getting worse until Delta loses enough of it's loyal flyers. The path they are on, it will difficult to get Comfort+ unless you book out super far in advance as a Diamond or Plat, Gold might as well get a hardy handshake when they check in.
FWIW I have changed my purchasing patterns to 1) Buy into FCM when the price is right and 2) use my RUCs on the long segments. Both of these strategies put me up front most of the time.
Mar 13, 2016, 8:43 pm
#2991
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
I, for one, would like to welcome our new FCM overlords. Haven't flown Delta in 5+ years. Total kettle.
Offered $89 for SLC-OAK today; I have two checked bags ($60) so that means my net cost was $29 for a bigger seat, a couple beers, priority screening/boarding, and more miles (125%) sent to my AS account.
United is doing this too, and it makes no sense to me. Great for me, but engenders zero loyalty and I'm not sure the folks at HQ have this figured out.
Offered $89 for SLC-OAK today; I have two checked bags ($60) so that means my net cost was $29 for a bigger seat, a couple beers, priority screening/boarding, and more miles (125%) sent to my AS account.
United is doing this too, and it makes no sense to me. Great for me, but engenders zero loyalty and I'm not sure the folks at HQ have this figured out.
Mar 13, 2016, 9:04 pm
#2992
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
FWIW - I've been upgraded on all my flights this week to DFW @ the respective windows. 3 show as RU and oddly one (ATL>DFW) shows as OU.....never seen OU before.
Mar 13, 2016, 9:19 pm
#2993
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
The ATL-DFW segment is probably the continuation of an international flight (sharing the same flight number). The premium cabin on flights like that code as business, even though the service is exactly the same as standard domestic first.
Mar 13, 2016, 11:34 pm
#2994
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
I, for one, would like to welcome our new FCM overlords. Haven't flown Delta in 5+ years. Total kettle.
Offered $89 for SLC-OAK today; I have two checked bags ($60) so that means my net cost was $29 for a bigger seat, a couple beers, priority screening/boarding, and more miles (125%) sent to my AS account.
United is doing this too, and it makes no sense to me. Great for me, but engenders zero loyalty and I'm not sure the folks at HQ have this figured out.
Offered $89 for SLC-OAK today; I have two checked bags ($60) so that means my net cost was $29 for a bigger seat, a couple beers, priority screening/boarding, and more miles (125%) sent to my AS account.
United is doing this too, and it makes no sense to me. Great for me, but engenders zero loyalty and I'm not sure the folks at HQ have this figured out.
Mar 14, 2016, 7:10 pm
#2996
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, United Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 303
Mar 15, 2016, 10:04 am
#2997
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Similarly, I haven't flown DL in years. As far as loyalty goes though, I've been paying for DL's F lately (no FCM) and have been generally very pleased with the service. If you can offer a better F product, that will yield a different kind of loyalty. I don't think AA's HQ has figured that one out yet.
Mar 21, 2016, 6:49 am
#3000
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
That's a pretty good average! I just looked at my reservation for Thursday morning from BOS to DTW and First is showing only 6/12 seats taken, including myself. I would think that there would be a lot more Diamonds, Plats and Golds on this route who are within the upgrade window. Or is Delta upgrading en masse at T-24 these days?