First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Jan 18, 2017, 7:00 pm
#3391
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
Follow-up with ATL and MCO. Just looked at my 1/25 outbound and all but 1 seat in FC is open. Where as 3 weeks in advance earlier this month it was filled up. Return is currently wide open.
And lucky for me in between have MCO-SEA-LAX-SEA-MCO and all but the first flight is wide open. Would be nice on the return tcon.
And lucky for me in between have MCO-SEA-LAX-SEA-MCO and all but the first flight is wide open. Would be nice on the return tcon.
Jan 19, 2017, 11:30 am
#3392
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Thought FCM was getting out of control (it is). Bought another last minute tix 1 day out with 6 FC seats available - turned out to be a B fare. At OLCI I was #6 of some 30. Couldn't believe it so call the DM line.
Turns out bunch of folks using RUC/GUC's ahead of me and 2 DM's with probably B fares with Reserve or Y fares. By 12 hours 5 seats had been probably sold (I was offered to buy up to F at checkin).
Call the DM line again to find out if I can use an ECV instead of paying, DM line does better. Gets me into confirmed discount F fare (A) for 3 of four legs and gets me $270 refund back from my B/M fare combination.
I guess it's working?
Turns out bunch of folks using RUC/GUC's ahead of me and 2 DM's with probably B fares with Reserve or Y fares. By 12 hours 5 seats had been probably sold (I was offered to buy up to F at checkin).
Call the DM line again to find out if I can use an ECV instead of paying, DM line does better. Gets me into confirmed discount F fare (A) for 3 of four legs and gets me $270 refund back from my B/M fare combination.
I guess it's working?
Jan 20, 2017, 5:02 pm
#3393
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Does anyone ever get FCM offers on itineraries where one or more legs are already upgraded? I just booked a flight where my upgrade on the outbound cleared immediately, and there's no FCM offer for the return.
Jan 24, 2017, 9:05 am
#3394
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
Some flights they seem to hold for sale until past departure time...
DM on a U fare. I was rebooked yesterday (twice) due to flight cancellation. My 2nd leg cleared into FC immediately, but the 1st I didn't even get a C+ upgrade. There were 6 FC seats available and 8 C+ seats.
The first CSR told me that they don't clear upgrades day of departure (which was clearly a lie as the 2nd one immediately cleared).
I pulled a HUCA and tried again as I really would have preferred to choose my C+ seat as not a middle, and that CSR tried her best but said that for some reason they were holding those seats back, and that they were available for sale, but that I was #1 for both C+ and FC so that I'd likely clear. She said she might be able to take me off the wait list and try again but that someone advised her not to do so, that it might make it worse.
The flight was delayed an hour, from 4:30 to 5:30. At 4:45 they finally cleared me and one other into FC and 1 into C+ (there were 7 left at this point so evidently one was either purchased or given to someone luckier than I), and announced that they "couldn't" clear the remaining 4 FC and 6 C+ for another 10 min (now 25 min past original departure time).
What do they think, that at 4:55 for a 4:30 (now 5:30) departure that they will sell those seats??
DM on a U fare. I was rebooked yesterday (twice) due to flight cancellation. My 2nd leg cleared into FC immediately, but the 1st I didn't even get a C+ upgrade. There were 6 FC seats available and 8 C+ seats.
The first CSR told me that they don't clear upgrades day of departure (which was clearly a lie as the 2nd one immediately cleared).
I pulled a HUCA and tried again as I really would have preferred to choose my C+ seat as not a middle, and that CSR tried her best but said that for some reason they were holding those seats back, and that they were available for sale, but that I was #1 for both C+ and FC so that I'd likely clear. She said she might be able to take me off the wait list and try again but that someone advised her not to do so, that it might make it worse.
The flight was delayed an hour, from 4:30 to 5:30. At 4:45 they finally cleared me and one other into FC and 1 into C+ (there were 7 left at this point so evidently one was either purchased or given to someone luckier than I), and announced that they "couldn't" clear the remaining 4 FC and 6 C+ for another 10 min (now 25 min past original departure time).
What do they think, that at 4:55 for a 4:30 (now 5:30) departure that they will sell those seats??
Jan 24, 2017, 9:56 am
#3395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
The other day with all the bad weather in the system, I had a flight that was all over the place for availability and the upgrade list. Initially I was 1/5 for 2, then 1/5 for 0, then 3/7 for 0, then 3/7 for 1, then 1/3 for 4...at which point of course the flight canceled
Jan 24, 2017, 9:56 am
#3396
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BWI
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 312
Some flights they seem to hold for sale until past departure time...
DM on a U fare. I was rebooked yesterday (twice) due to flight cancellation. My 2nd leg cleared into FC immediately, but the 1st I didn't even get a C+ upgrade. There were 6 FC seats available and 8 C+ seats.
The first CSR told me that they don't clear upgrades day of departure (which was clearly a lie as the 2nd one immediately cleared).
I pulled a HUCA and tried again as I really would have preferred to choose my C+ seat as not a middle, and that CSR tried her best but said that for some reason they were holding those seats back, and that they were available for sale, but that I was #1 for both C+ and FC so that I'd likely clear. She said she might be able to take me off the wait list and try again but that someone advised her not to do so, that it might make it worse.
The flight was delayed an hour, from 4:30 to 5:30. At 4:45 they finally cleared me and one other into FC and 1 into C+ (there were 7 left at this point so evidently one was either purchased or given to someone luckier than I), and announced that they "couldn't" clear the remaining 4 FC and 6 C+ for another 10 min (now 25 min past original departure time).
What do they think, that at 4:55 for a 4:30 (now 5:30) departure that they will sell those seats??
DM on a U fare. I was rebooked yesterday (twice) due to flight cancellation. My 2nd leg cleared into FC immediately, but the 1st I didn't even get a C+ upgrade. There were 6 FC seats available and 8 C+ seats.
The first CSR told me that they don't clear upgrades day of departure (which was clearly a lie as the 2nd one immediately cleared).
I pulled a HUCA and tried again as I really would have preferred to choose my C+ seat as not a middle, and that CSR tried her best but said that for some reason they were holding those seats back, and that they were available for sale, but that I was #1 for both C+ and FC so that I'd likely clear. She said she might be able to take me off the wait list and try again but that someone advised her not to do so, that it might make it worse.
The flight was delayed an hour, from 4:30 to 5:30. At 4:45 they finally cleared me and one other into FC and 1 into C+ (there were 7 left at this point so evidently one was either purchased or given to someone luckier than I), and announced that they "couldn't" clear the remaining 4 FC and 6 C+ for another 10 min (now 25 min past original departure time).
What do they think, that at 4:55 for a 4:30 (now 5:30) departure that they will sell those seats??
Jan 24, 2017, 10:03 am
#3397
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
No, they were probably holding them for possible re-routes and IRROPS, unless your flight was the only one leaving an isolated outstation at that time. But if you were leaving a hub, or traveling hub-hub, this is at least a possible explanation.
The other day with all the bad weather in the system, I had a flight that was all over the place for availability and the upgrade list. Initially I was 1/5 for 2, then 1/5 for 0, then 3/7 for 0, then 3/7 for 1, then 1/3 for 4...at which point of course the flight canceled
The other day with all the bad weather in the system, I had a flight that was all over the place for availability and the upgrade list. Initially I was 1/5 for 2, then 1/5 for 0, then 3/7 for 0, then 3/7 for 1, then 1/3 for 4...at which point of course the flight canceled
Btw, I was rebooked on that flight over 5 hrs before the original departure so it was unlikely at gate control at that point. CSR confirmed the C+ and FC seats were held as available for actual sale and were specifically NOT available for IRROPs (or at least, for mine). IRROPs were only given coach, period. Flight was not full nor oversold and went out with C+ seats empty.
It was MCO. Not a hub but plenty of flights in and out both before and after. Weather had been horrid Sun/Mon but was cleared up by Mon evening, although the ripples from ATL were still in force.
That also irritates me because somehow someone else's luck with the desk to clear them straight into C+ will leave me with a middle seat for a flight that I am on due to Delta's flight cancellation. It's weather so I don't blame them for the cancellation, but they could at least clear into C+ for the rebook.
Jan 29, 2017, 8:25 am
#3398
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
I've been getting an upgrade offer of $919 each way on a MSP-AMS-MSP itinerary towards the end of August; the current D1 fare for my dates (8/23-9/6) is $10,086. I decided to take the offer only for the outbound, overnight portion.
I started out with a $800 VDB credit and paid only $655 just ten days ago for the original ticket. So my out-of-pocket cost has come to $775, with the outbound in D1.
I started out with a $800 VDB credit and paid only $655 just ten days ago for the original ticket. So my out-of-pocket cost has come to $775, with the outbound in D1.
Ok SO how do you take advantage of this for one way? I have a friend who has an offer for around $1,000 to Europe in about 6 weeks, but when we try to buy we an only get the round trip option. She's flying in the day family wedding festivities start so it would be worth it to be able to sleep on the way over.
I played around on her Delta account and I can't see a way to only buy one way.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Jan 29, 2017, 9:05 am
#3399
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL SkyMiles Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 86
DL ATL-SEA 1929 763
DL SEA-SFO 4869 E175
4869 was upgrade as soon as I SDC'd to it (about 24 hours in advance while I was on phone with agent)
When I went to check-in on my phone after the call to get my BPs, I got an offer for flight 1929 to upgrade for $299. 6 available so I declined.
Jan 29, 2017, 11:04 am
#3400
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Madison, WI (MSN)
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton & Marriott Plastic Gold, Chick-fil-A Signature
Posts: 441
A week or so ago, I was traveling with my non-status wife and son. I was booked using cash, and they were booked on a separate reservation using Skymiles. At check-in time there were 4 seats available up front and I had NOT cleared in advance as a DM on a K fare. They were offered first class at $309 each (no offer for me). I ended up clearing at the gate, as 3rd for 4, on the list of 40 or so. This was MSP-SFO on a Friday night for what that's worth.
Jan 29, 2017, 12:12 pm
#3402
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,441
Ok SO how do you take advantage of this for one way? I have a friend who has an offer for around $1,000 to Europe in about 6 weeks, but when we try to buy we an only get the round trip option. She's flying in the day family wedding festivities start so it would be worth it to be able to sleep on the way over.
I played around on her Delta account and I can't see a way to only buy one way.
Thanks for any suggestions!
I played around on her Delta account and I can't see a way to only buy one way.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Jan 29, 2017, 3:44 pm
#3403
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Jan 29, 2017, 5:05 pm
#3404
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
A LOT!
Take for instance my last ATL-MCO flight. 10-12 seats in FC and ~40-50 people board with Prem. Now of course 1/2 could be 'cheaters' gaming the system because no GA actually cares when you board but even so that assuming 1/2 that is 20ish people just on that flight with a smaller FC.
I've been on flights out of ATL that as a PM on a W fare I was 15+ on an upgrade list.
Take for instance my last ATL-MCO flight. 10-12 seats in FC and ~40-50 people board with Prem. Now of course 1/2 could be 'cheaters' gaming the system because no GA actually cares when you board but even so that assuming 1/2 that is 20ish people just on that flight with a smaller FC.
I've been on flights out of ATL that as a PM on a W fare I was 15+ on an upgrade list.
Jan 30, 2017, 4:05 pm
#3405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
$309 being offered for PHL-SLC-SMF in a couple of weeks. This is on a $170 one way V fare...
Meanwhile, lowest F price on the same flights is about $810 one way currently, so this is a 40% discount
Very tempting, as PHL-SLC is operated by lie-flat 757 (continuation of DL195 LHR-PHL)...and I will be without status for a brief period of time meaning no priority boarding and no shot at comp upgrade...and we will be checking a couple of bags at $25 each.
If it was just me, I would bite for sure, but it's me and a companion and I would be picking up the tab for both...
I assume it would re-fare to A or P...but without knowing for sure...
Decisions, decisions...
Meanwhile, lowest F price on the same flights is about $810 one way currently, so this is a 40% discount
Very tempting, as PHL-SLC is operated by lie-flat 757 (continuation of DL195 LHR-PHL)...and I will be without status for a brief period of time meaning no priority boarding and no shot at comp upgrade...and we will be checking a couple of bags at $25 each.
If it was just me, I would bite for sure, but it's me and a companion and I would be picking up the tab for both...
I assume it would re-fare to A or P...but without knowing for sure...
Decisions, decisions...
Last edited by PV_Premier; Jan 30, 2017 at 4:10 pm