First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
#3121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,358
I've found it's always better to call, particularly after you verify that there are front cabin seats open on the flights you want
#3122
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
Flying LGA->CHS in July. Current offer is $149.50 to upgrade. I'm strongly considering it especially as I may need to check three bags so i'd be saving money on that 3rd bag anyhow and $50 each way seems decent even for a short flight.
That said, theyre also giving me the offer to upgrade for 14,950 miles. I know that's not considered a good use of points but I have more points than I need these days and with a toddler at home I don't see any long haul J travel in the near future. If I were to use these miles to upgrade would I still get the 50% bonus MQM? I know its not much on a ~600 mile flight but it may be the factor on if i use miles vs cash.
Thanks.
That said, theyre also giving me the offer to upgrade for 14,950 miles. I know that's not considered a good use of points but I have more points than I need these days and with a toddler at home I don't see any long haul J travel in the near future. If I were to use these miles to upgrade would I still get the 50% bonus MQM? I know its not much on a ~600 mile flight but it may be the factor on if i use miles vs cash.
Thanks.
#3123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,358
no, UG with miles doesn't earn any extra ... the only way to finesse miles into more miles is to use Pay-With-Miles if you have the DL AmEx
#3124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
At the miserable rate of a penny a point, I would not use the term "finesse" when talking about Pay-With-Miles. I would consider that to be "brutalizing" one's way to more miles.
#3125
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
Last 2 redemptions were Delta One tickets to Sao Paolo and Seoul/Tokyo where I easily earned 3-4 cents per mile. Sadly i'm going to be wasting miles this fall to visit the in-laws near PBI at something not much better than a penny a mile.
That said, if i'm not getting the bonus MQM i'll just pay the $99 ($149 minus $50 savings in bag fees).
#3126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
#3127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
#3129
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Says no one with any sort of publicized facts or information to back up their claims.
I wouldn't be surprised if DL tweaked the SDC rules to disallow changes onto D1 routes in most cases, but until they actually update the rules, I assume that it is business as usual.
I wouldn't be surprised if DL tweaked the SDC rules to disallow changes onto D1 routes in most cases, but until they actually update the rules, I assume that it is business as usual.
#3130
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 394
I just bought my first FCM offer, and reading the last 10 pages of this thread, learned more about SDC than I ever suspected was possible before. So I'll just say thanks to those who provide help here, and ask if there should be a wiki, but maybe not, to not help the airline clip our wings of possible benefits.
This really is my first exploration of FCM, and I'll just say 'sorry' to all those who have worked hard for status, but it looks like I should target staying FO, not only to save my overloaded MQMs, but to buy FCMs when available, and to use SDC, for a better scheduled time and the same U/G equivalent value.
Delta is really devaluing loyalty -- the subject of this thread -- and I am somewhat caught in the middle, as a semi-retired personal budget traveler at a half million miles.
Reason I haven't had FCM before , is because flying my usual international doesn't seem to offer FCMs, and I've been regularly upgraded as FO, or bought cheap FC, but my domestic positioning does seem to offer FCM, especially on OWs, and so I want to thank those who offer tips along the way (reading from page 200) and now I have a new variable in my travel planning. THANKS!
This really is my first exploration of FCM, and I'll just say 'sorry' to all those who have worked hard for status, but it looks like I should target staying FO, not only to save my overloaded MQMs, but to buy FCMs when available, and to use SDC, for a better scheduled time and the same U/G equivalent value.
Delta is really devaluing loyalty -- the subject of this thread -- and I am somewhat caught in the middle, as a semi-retired personal budget traveler at a half million miles.
Reason I haven't had FCM before , is because flying my usual international doesn't seem to offer FCMs, and I've been regularly upgraded as FO, or bought cheap FC, but my domestic positioning does seem to offer FCM, especially on OWs, and so I want to thank those who offer tips along the way (reading from page 200) and now I have a new variable in my travel planning. THANKS!
#3131
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
XXX-JFK-LAX June, Y+FCM or J outright?
I got a chance to either just pay $200 for the XXX-JFK-LAX in mid June or $570-$600 for the J fare straight out. That price range is very, very enticing, but I am not sure if I should go to get the economy fare first, and look at the FCM offer. I am not entirely sure if the FCM offer to get up to D1 will be cheaper than getting the J fare right away.
Anyone had the experience of getting the FCM fare of less than $400 with DL JFK-LAX/SFO before?
Anyone had the experience of getting the FCM fare of less than $400 with DL JFK-LAX/SFO before?
#3132
I got a chance to either just pay $200 for the XXX-JFK-LAX in mid June or $570-$600 for the J fare straight out. That price range is very, very enticing, but I am not sure if I should go to get the economy fare first, and look at the FCM offer. I am not entirely sure if the FCM offer to get up to D1 will be cheaper than getting the J fare right away.
Anyone had the experience of getting the FCM fare of less than $400 with DL JFK-LAX/SFO before?
Anyone had the experience of getting the FCM fare of less than $400 with DL JFK-LAX/SFO before?
#3133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,358
I have occasionally seen WAS-JFK-LAX as low as ~$520, but I'd almost certainly pay $570-$600
that said (and putting on my gamer's hat), I've also seen G/A/P fares as low as $325 (LAX-RDU-BWI redeye) ... the important thing is that I'll only book a flight I'm actually willing to take if the SDC options don't pan out
except that difference is apt to be a lot greater the closer you get to day of travel
that said (and putting on my gamer's hat), I've also seen G/A/P fares as low as $325 (LAX-RDU-BWI redeye) ... the important thing is that I'll only book a flight I'm actually willing to take if the SDC options don't pan out
except that difference is apt to be a lot greater the closer you get to day of travel
#3134
I have occasionally seen WAS-JFK-LAX as low as ~$520, but I'd almost certainly pay $570-$600
that said (and putting on my gamer's hat), I've also seen G/A/P fares as low as $325 (LAX-RDU-BWI redeye) ... the important thing is that I'll only book a flight I'm actually willing to take if the SDC options don't pan out
except that difference is apt to be a lot greater the closer you get to day of travel
that said (and putting on my gamer's hat), I've also seen G/A/P fares as low as $325 (LAX-RDU-BWI redeye) ... the important thing is that I'll only book a flight I'm actually willing to take if the SDC options don't pan out
except that difference is apt to be a lot greater the closer you get to day of travel