First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Jul 28, 2016, 4:41 am
#3197
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: 21,373
but, but, b... he just "accepted an offer that Delta made" ... whether it was their IT that made the offer in error is, of course, completely irrelevant 
besides, 2x $189 is effectively "free" additional revenue to DL, on a seat that they basically gave away initially, so that's always good for the bottom line ... it's also very likely one less VDB to pay out
besides, 2x $189 is effectively "free" additional revenue to DL, on a seat that they basically gave away initially, so that's always good for the bottom line ... it's also very likely one less VDB to pay out
Jul 28, 2016, 9:52 am
#3198
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 609
I'm actually surprised by the volatility of the FCM offers. I have a SEA-DCA RT in a few days where the FCM offer has been as high as $1,500 and as low as $650, but has definitely been different every time I looked at the flight details online.
Jul 28, 2016, 9:56 am
#3199
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
I get the impression that DL doesn't know what to do with the FCM monster it has created. Several flights I've been on this year have pushed with empty seats in FC, and simultaneously had absurd upgrade offers. I see offers that range from being absurdly low to absurdly high (with the high ones sometimes being more than fare difference).
Either DL wants it to be this way, or the algorithm they use is just as broken as the rest of their IT systems.
Either DL wants it to be this way, or the algorithm they use is just as broken as the rest of their IT systems.
Jul 28, 2016, 10:34 am
#3200
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
Friend has reserve card and is platinum. How did I game? Offer was at the bottom of the screen. I took it.....provided additional revenue to Dl that a medallion on a free upgrade would not have. Upgrade list was long...about 10 empties in coach.
Jul 28, 2016, 11:46 am
#3201
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
^
Jul 28, 2016, 12:34 pm
#3202
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
I could care less but what you did upgrading an amex companion cert from coach to first isnt allowed. Secondly if he had a reserve card you could have used the first class companion benefit and it may have been cheaper than purchasing the coach ticket and then upgrading. I just thought there was some irony there. I will use this trick next time I use my companion cert. Thanks for the data point. ^
^2.....when a friend buys me a birthday gift, I'd feel like a complete ... telling him to put me in first.
Jul 28, 2016, 12:36 pm
#3203
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
I could care less but what you did upgrading an amex companion cert from coach to first isnt allowed. Secondly if he had a reserve card you could have used the first class companion benefit and it may have been cheaper than purchasing the coach ticket and then upgrading. I just thought there was some irony there. I will use this trick next time I use my companion cert. Thanks for the data point. ^
^
Jul 28, 2016, 12:37 pm
#3204
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
Jul 28, 2016, 12:53 pm
#3205
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
Of course, it's against Delta's *published* terms and conditions for a Platinum Delta Amex card. I guess Delta can ignore terms and conditions when it's to their advantage. Probably would be better if Delta would just relax the terms to allow FCM and free medallion upgrades to Comfort Plus because it would be in their self-interest to allow it.
As much as I personally dislike FCM, it's at least intended to add to Delta's profit.
Companion pass upgrades to Comfort Plus just restores what us elites had before Delta started treating Comfort Plus as a separate cabin. Personally, I'm not buying it, but if some other fools think it's worth buying "pretend first-class", then Delta has truly managed to monitize the illusion of luxury.
Last edited by Bowgie; Jul 28, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Jul 28, 2016, 1:01 pm
#3206
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
First problem is your friend using the Reserve cert for Y instead of J!
Jul 28, 2016, 1:41 pm
#3209
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
'Allowed' and 'disregarded the T&Cs' are two separate issues here as the post indicates: the transaction was allowed. That said, I thought the Reserve companion pass was good for First as well as Economy? If you can book into Economy and then snag the upgrade, that's a pretty good deal.
Jul 28, 2016, 1:45 pm
#3210
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292