First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
#3151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
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I witnessed what might be the ultimate example of FCM yesterday waiting to board in ATL. A lady walked up to the GA and asked how much it would be for the four of them (husband and two kids with her) to upgrade to FC. GA said it's $319 per person. She said she would take it. They had all of row one for the flight to SJU. Those were some expensive Miller Light's she and husband had on the flight.
#3152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
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I witnessed what might be the ultimate example of FCM yesterday waiting to board in ATL. A lady walked up to the GA and asked how much it would be for the four of them (husband and two kids with her) to upgrade to FC. GA said it's $319 per person. She said she would take it. They had all of row one for the flight to SJU. Those were some expensive Miller Light's she and husband had on the flight.
be soone at debate:
which after with sorow,
repents him to late.
#3153
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
MSY to ATL...
After PDB, as we are taxiing out, lead FA announces "There are six of you drinking Woodfords. That is all we have on board. They only give us two bottles per cart. There is no more Woodfords available."
This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have heard this 3/cart, 6 total BS. Typically on out and back flights to ATL.
Snack basket finally gets passed after the "We are making our approach into ATL announcement."
Contents... peanuts, pretzels, and Biscoff... nothing else.
And, this is supposed to convince folks that FC is some worth paying extra for?
Whatever the suits on Va Ave are smoking... can I have some?
After PDB, as we are taxiing out, lead FA announces "There are six of you drinking Woodfords. That is all we have on board. They only give us two bottles per cart. There is no more Woodfords available."
This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have heard this 3/cart, 6 total BS. Typically on out and back flights to ATL.
Snack basket finally gets passed after the "We are making our approach into ATL announcement."
Contents... peanuts, pretzels, and Biscoff... nothing else.
And, this is supposed to convince folks that FC is some worth paying extra for?
Whatever the suits on Va Ave are smoking... can I have some?
#3154
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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Huzzah!!!
But catering should never be limited to 6 Woodfords per flight.
#3155
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
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me with Bailey's. Supposedly they only cater two bottles per cart. I've been on flights twice to London in J where they have ran out of Bailey's.
#3156
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Location: MEM
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Posts: 5,431
That's ... not FCM, you just booked a first class seat.
#3157
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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"FCM" = DL getting a $$ premium, however small, for an FC seat from someone who was otherwise going to purchase coach (and therefore taking the seat out of UG inventory, where it may have been occupied during the flight but at no $$ benefit to DL)
#3158
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But if you're going so far as to apply that term to bookings it's completely useless. You might as well say that elites are entitled to the entire first class cabin as a birthright.
#3159
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
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What some are saying is that DL selling FC for $19 over the coach ticket cost makes a farce of the FF program.
"Upgrades are provided on a space available basis, but we are going to ensure that no space is available. Oh, by the way, we appreciate your loyalty."
#3160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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... DL selling FC for $19 over the coach ticket cost makes a farce of the FF program.
"Upgrades are provided on a space available basis, but we are going to do our damndest to ensure that no space is available because we are a for-profit business and have decided that when Sandy Somebody out there is willing to pay some amount of money for that F/J seat we'd really really rather take Sandy's money than give the seat away for nothing to one of our Medallion members. Oh, by the way, Medallions, we appreciate your loyalty."
"Upgrades are provided on a space available basis, but we are going to do our damndest to ensure that no space is available because we are a for-profit business and have decided that when Sandy Somebody out there is willing to pay some amount of money for that F/J seat we'd really really rather take Sandy's money than give the seat away for nothing to one of our Medallion members. Oh, by the way, Medallions, we appreciate your loyalty."
#3161
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CAK/CLE
Programs: Delta DM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 273
FCM's have got really good for me lately. A few ( price listed is additional cost over paid economy fare )...
- CLE-NYC - $69 RT
- CLE-YVR - Refund of $61 RT ( had to call in because I saw the lower fare an had to get this re-priced over the phone )
- CAK-SJC - $59 RT ( was from new W fare ).
- CLE-NYC - $69 RT
- CLE-YVR - Refund of $61 RT ( had to call in because I saw the lower fare an had to get this re-priced over the phone )
- CAK-SJC - $59 RT ( was from new W fare ).
#3162
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat., SPG Plat.
Posts: 127
This is what I was referring to, I logged in intending to purchase a main cabin ticket, but noticed the incremental cost to F was minimal and worth securing a F seat, rather than play the upgrade game.
#3165
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: riding the lifetime status. DL MM / AA MM
Posts: 2,968
I'm having a hard time leaving delta! I've decided the program doesn't do much for me any more, and I'm just going to buy what makes sense.
Then I pull up BOS-LAX, and delta will fly me there nonstop in first for $425. Call it FCM, call it just buying the fare, whatever. I took it. Delta is the most generous with the Y->F premium these days. I can often pay $80-150 one way for the A/P fare, where I often see $200-300 on AA/UA.
Keeping at least GM seems worth it for free SDC on these fares.
Then I pull up BOS-LAX, and delta will fly me there nonstop in first for $425. Call it FCM, call it just buying the fare, whatever. I took it. Delta is the most generous with the Y->F premium these days. I can often pay $80-150 one way for the A/P fare, where I often see $200-300 on AA/UA.
Keeping at least GM seems worth it for free SDC on these fares.