First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
May 8, 2016, 9:42 pm
#3091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Mom krazykanuck was offered an upgrade to F for ATL-SRQ for $19 at check in yesterday via the mobile app for her flight today. She is a general member, and I think has the base level DL Amex. Not sure the fare basis. Even though it is a barely over an hour flight she jumped on it. I would too...
May 9, 2016, 4:41 pm
#3092
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
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?
When they first put in the two class airplane, for a couple of years it was an automatic upgrade for a DM. However, nowadays, it is far from that and since the comfort of the ERJ in coach militates against paying any more than the ridiculous $513, I mostly end up riding in back on that route.
May 9, 2016, 6:41 pm
#3093
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640
Mom krazykanuck was offered an upgrade to F for ATL-SRQ for $19 at check in yesterday via the mobile app for her flight today. She is a general member, and I think has the base level DL Amex. Not sure the fare basis. Even though it is a barely over an hour flight she jumped on it. I would too...
May 10, 2016, 7:28 am
#3094
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
May 10, 2016, 7:43 am
#3095
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
May 10, 2016, 9:53 am
#3096
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
That's why I occasionally buy first on my frequented DCA-CVG route, even though I always clear T-3 or earlier as a PM. Either I know that I'm going to need the flexibility, or I have extra time, so I route DCA-MSP-CVG to pick up 2300 MQMs.
May 10, 2016, 6:49 pm
#3097
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
I am doing a DCA-JFK-PBI-ATL-DCA itinerary tomorrow.
I got upgraded in advance for all segments except JFK-PBI. I checked in on the Delta app this morning and got an offer to upgrade JFK-PBI for $39.00. I grabbed it. My total airfare for this trip, including the FCM, was $284.00; not bad for an F trip.
I got upgraded in advance for all segments except JFK-PBI. I checked in on the Delta app this morning and got an offer to upgrade JFK-PBI for $39.00. I grabbed it. My total airfare for this trip, including the FCM, was $284.00; not bad for an F trip.
May 10, 2016, 8:07 pm
#3099
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Last Saturday, I flew a rt LAX-PDX. Plat wife and I got upgraded at the 5-day window in both directions. The outbound morning flight on an EMB-170 went out with three empty first class seats. Those are the ONLY type of flights that should have ultra cheap upgrades.
May 10, 2016, 9:01 pm
#3100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Delta's version of United's TOD's. I would hope that Delta is doing this only on flights where all Plats and Diamond already got upgraded at the window.
Last Saturday, I flew a rt LAX-PDX. Plat wife and I got upgraded at the 5-day window in both directions. The outbound morning flight on an EMB-170 went out with three empty first class seats. Those are the ONLY type of flights that should have ultra cheap upgrades.
Last Saturday, I flew a rt LAX-PDX. Plat wife and I got upgraded at the 5-day window in both directions. The outbound morning flight on an EMB-170 went out with three empty first class seats. Those are the ONLY type of flights that should have ultra cheap upgrades.
In which case, it's more of a pay to jump the UG list thing.
May 11, 2016, 5:03 am
#3101
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 11, 2016, 7:59 am
#3102
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I am doing a DCA-JFK-PBI-ATL-DCA itinerary tomorrow.
I got upgraded in advance for all segments except JFK-PBI. I checked in on the Delta app this morning and got an offer to upgrade JFK-PBI for $39.00. I grabbed it. My total airfare for this trip, including the FCM, was $284.00; not bad for an F trip.
I got upgraded in advance for all segments except JFK-PBI. I checked in on the Delta app this morning and got an offer to upgrade JFK-PBI for $39.00. I grabbed it. My total airfare for this trip, including the FCM, was $284.00; not bad for an F trip.
May 11, 2016, 9:04 am
#3103
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
I did get an FCM offer of $111 for a $417 U fare DCA-ATL-MSY-DTW-DCA. I took that one -- for me worth it for the seats and the 50% MQM bonus.
May 12, 2016, 11:04 am
#3104
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SMF
Programs: DL DM, WN A-List, AA Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 212
MEM-->MSP-->SMF booked as a one way first Saturday in June. FCM has varied from $380 down to $124.50 the other day. FC is showing half full on the first leg and not a single seat occupied on the 2nd flight.
The outbound (one way SMF-->LAX-->MEM) is varying usually between $240 and $380.
Both flights were about $193 each. Might bite on the return if it drops again, although I am already confirmed in EC.
The outbound (one way SMF-->LAX-->MEM) is varying usually between $240 and $380.
Both flights were about $193 each. Might bite on the return if it drops again, although I am already confirmed in EC.
May 12, 2016, 2:39 pm
#3105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640
MEM-->MSP-->SMF booked as a one way first Saturday in June. FCM has varied from $380 down to $124.50 the other day. FC is showing half full on the first leg and not a single seat occupied on the 2nd flight.
The outbound (one way SMF-->LAX-->MEM) is varying usually between $240 and $380.
Both flights were about $193 each. Might bite on the return if it drops again, although I am already confirmed in EC.
The outbound (one way SMF-->LAX-->MEM) is varying usually between $240 and $380.
Both flights were about $193 each. Might bite on the return if it drops again, although I am already confirmed in EC.