First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
May 4, 2016, 10:26 am
#3077
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I expect the latter since I am seeing G fares for as low as $374 RT, all in, in early June (vs. $216 in the main cabin).
That $158 additional cost is less likely to stimulate the increased exclusiveness that some here asserted would result from an increasingly paid for FC cabin.
May 4, 2016, 5:12 pm
#3078
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Was $354 the FCM increment, or the total cost of the ticket?
I expect the latter since I am seeing G fares for as low as $374 RT, all in, in early June (vs. $216 in the main cabin).
That $158 additional cost is less likely to stimulate the increased exclusiveness that some here asserted would result from an increasingly paid for FC cabin.
I expect the latter since I am seeing G fares for as low as $374 RT, all in, in early June (vs. $216 in the main cabin).
That $158 additional cost is less likely to stimulate the increased exclusiveness that some here asserted would result from an increasingly paid for FC cabin.
May 5, 2016, 2:51 pm
#3079
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Marriott: LT Titanium, Amtrak: Select Exec; Hertz: PC
Posts: 43
Latest FCM saga:
Atl-Mia and five seats available at the upgrade window. Not cleared, but that really isn't unusual. Same five seats are available at checkin at T-24. The new wrinkle, at least for me is the offer for me to upgrade to one of those five seats for $29. I declined knowing that it was likely that someone else would bite. Sure enough, three of those seats disappear in the next thirty minutes.
I stay first for two seats until around T-2 but end up 2 for one seat.
So from Delta's point of view they have no seats for a diamond upgrade during the entire upgrade window (not unreasonable) but at checkin seats are now available for diamonds for the nominal fee of $29.
Yes, I realize I could just give them a few bucks for the seat and if that is now SOP, then I will do so, but it would be nice to just let us know ahead of time what the rules are. As of now I have seen nothing in writing that Diamond upgrades may cost $29 on various random flights.
Atl-Mia and five seats available at the upgrade window. Not cleared, but that really isn't unusual. Same five seats are available at checkin at T-24. The new wrinkle, at least for me is the offer for me to upgrade to one of those five seats for $29. I declined knowing that it was likely that someone else would bite. Sure enough, three of those seats disappear in the next thirty minutes.
I stay first for two seats until around T-2 but end up 2 for one seat.
So from Delta's point of view they have no seats for a diamond upgrade during the entire upgrade window (not unreasonable) but at checkin seats are now available for diamonds for the nominal fee of $29.
Yes, I realize I could just give them a few bucks for the seat and if that is now SOP, then I will do so, but it would be nice to just let us know ahead of time what the rules are. As of now I have seen nothing in writing that Diamond upgrades may cost $29 on various random flights.
May 5, 2016, 3:25 pm
#3080
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Latest FCM saga:
Atl-Mia and five seats available at the upgrade window. Not cleared, but that really isn't unusual. Same five seats are available at checkin at T-24. The new wrinkle, at least for me is the offer for me to upgrade to one of those five seats for $29. I declined knowing that it was likely that someone else would bite. Sure enough, three of those seats disappear in the next thirty minutes.
I stay first for two seats until around T-2 but end up 2 for one seat.
So from Delta's point of view they have no seats for a diamond upgrade during the entire upgrade window (not unreasonable) but at checkin seats are now available for diamonds for the nominal fee of $29.
Yes, I realize I could just give them a few bucks for the seat and if that is now SOP, then I will do so, but it would be nice to just let us know ahead of time what the rules are. As of now I have seen nothing in writing that Diamond upgrades may cost $29 on various random flights.
Atl-Mia and five seats available at the upgrade window. Not cleared, but that really isn't unusual. Same five seats are available at checkin at T-24. The new wrinkle, at least for me is the offer for me to upgrade to one of those five seats for $29. I declined knowing that it was likely that someone else would bite. Sure enough, three of those seats disappear in the next thirty minutes.
I stay first for two seats until around T-2 but end up 2 for one seat.
So from Delta's point of view they have no seats for a diamond upgrade during the entire upgrade window (not unreasonable) but at checkin seats are now available for diamonds for the nominal fee of $29.
Yes, I realize I could just give them a few bucks for the seat and if that is now SOP, then I will do so, but it would be nice to just let us know ahead of time what the rules are. As of now I have seen nothing in writing that Diamond upgrades may cost $29 on various random flights.
To correct one misconception... they are not just selling "Diamond upgrades," they are selling upgrades to anyone with, in your case, $29 in their pocket (assuming they paid the same base fare as you did).
Someone on their first ever, and perhaps last, flight on DL can grab that upgrade for $29.
In this case DM don't mean dip.
To correct another misconception... the increment might be $290 on another route. $29 is exceptionally low, even for a single segment.
May 5, 2016, 3:33 pm
#3081
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
I just purchased from BOS to MCO in June at $440ish. Great deal as far as I'm concerned. Meals both ways ^ I just hope that it's the upgraded interior on the A320; some of the older ones are definitely long in tooth. Although I'll take an old interior over B6 which is the competition I get on this route.
May 5, 2016, 3:34 pm
#3082
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I just purchased from BOS to MCO in June at $440ish. Great deal as far as I'm concerned. Meals both ways ^ I just hope that it's the upgraded interior on the A320; some of the older ones are definitely long in tooth. Although I'll take an old interior over B6 which is the competition I get on this route.
May 5, 2016, 3:45 pm
#3083
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
+1. On a recent trip I did the outbound leg in coach on a refurbed 319, and in FC on the same bird on the way back. IFE at every seat, nice large redesigned OHBs, and everything generally shiny and new.
May 5, 2016, 5:10 pm
#3084
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Thanks gents; good to know. I connect through DTW regularly and it seems like we always have the ex-NWA airbuses which are definitely showing their age. On the positive side though, in flight service has been great and DTW is so easy to connect through. Self service bar in the SC doesn't hurt either 
May 5, 2016, 5:52 pm
#3085
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Thanks gents; good to know. I connect through DTW regularly and it seems like we always have the ex-NWA airbuses which are definitely showing their age. On the positive side though, in flight service has been great and DTW is so easy to connect through. Self service bar in the SC doesn't hurt either
DTW is a great alternative to ATL.
I connect thru there as often as I can, especially when:
1) I can snag a 747 to anywhere
2) I am confirmed in FC with a chance of relegating Bubba to coach (just kidding
)
May 8, 2016, 6:14 am
#3086
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
Flying same day r/t LGA->DCA next week. L fare tix were $331 r/t. The app is offering me a chance to upgrade to first for the low low price of an additional $298.
Thanks for the offer Delta. The extra 500 MQM and cocktail served in a class instead of a plastic cup isnt going to do it for me this time.
I usually jump as reasonable FCM offers, but is anyone actually buying this upgrade on the 40 minute flight?
Thanks for the offer Delta. The extra 500 MQM and cocktail served in a class instead of a plastic cup isnt going to do it for me this time.
I usually jump as reasonable FCM offers, but is anyone actually buying this upgrade on the 40 minute flight?
May 8, 2016, 9:19 am
#3087
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
There are some terrific deals to be had Florida-NYC. I've scored FLL-JFK for $320 r/t in F.
May 8, 2016, 9:37 am
#3088
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Flying same day r/t LGA->DCA next week. L fare tix were $331 r/t. The app is offering me a chance to upgrade to first for the low low price of an additional $298.
Thanks for the offer Delta. The extra 500 MQM and cocktail served in a class instead of a plastic cup isnt going to do it for me this time.
I usually jump as reasonable FCM offers, but is anyone actually buying this upgrade on the 40 minute flight?
Thanks for the offer Delta. The extra 500 MQM and cocktail served in a class instead of a plastic cup isnt going to do it for me this time.
I usually jump as reasonable FCM offers, but is anyone actually buying this upgrade on the 40 minute flight?
May 8, 2016, 3:20 pm
#3089
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,882
At OLCI the price had dropped somewhat - to $86. I think I hurt my arm pulling my credit card out....
May 8, 2016, 5:49 pm
#3090
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
