just to be clear, I'm NOT talking about "FCM v1.0" tickets -- those that you initially buy in G/A/P

rather, this seems that it could impact "FCM v2.0" tickets -- those that are reissued into G/A/P from the originally purchased coach inventory after you accept the "Upgrade for $nnn" FCM offer

Just bought tickets for Easter earlier this week. FCM offer is over $350 for the outbound ORD-DTW-SDF and no offer for the flight back (one flight on a CR2)

I noticed/wondered that too. I looked up the fare rules for my original ticket in EF and it says:

OK, let's have a look (I know how to have fun on a Saturday night)

255.II is "Ticket reissue procedures" and seems to have to do with pricing for actual changes (my eyes glazed over)

255.III is "Same Day Confirm Reissue Procedures"; 255.III.E says "The same booking class as the original flight must be available on the new flight(s)" and does not mention the first class exception at all, hmm.

(aside: also, 255.III.D, "The new flight(s) must be for the same origin/destination; a change from nonstop to connecting flights is allowed only if the connecting point is permitted based on the fare rules" -- by incorporating the CoC by reference in this manner you could argue that this resolves the ambiguity that used to exist re: SDC and changing of connection points)

Me neither. But I plan to try to SDC this itinerary so I'll see what happens :) (and yes, for any shareholders reading this, I am willing to fly this as booked if that should be the outcome :D)

As a stockholder, I'll be keeping a watch on you.:D

And I'm sure you will let us know the result.

I have two upcoming LGA-DFW-LGA trips the next couple of weeks - $208 for first trip and almost double that for the second. Both flights on the first trip were T fares, L/U on the second.

$275 to buy up on the first trip - seat map shows only 2 seats up front taken on both flights. $300 to buy up for the second trip, showing every seat in F available right now.

Ended up buying up on the first to trigger my $100 DL credit from Amex, not sure about the second.

Meanwhile, JFK-BNA-DTW-JFK way later this year has an offer to buy up for the low cost of $1,300 per pax..

ATL-BDL tomorrow morning. Offered a buy up for $179 during OLCI. Seat map shows 4 open seats up front and 44 people on the UG list right now.

Returning later this week I got upgraded at the window (and the email actually got sent!) on a purchased W fare...I think with an underlying L fare. Love being able to buy mixed cabin tickets for SDC flexibility on the return!

I never see the before T-24 upgrade offers, maybe because of Concur bookings. I do see the check-in offers.

Are the before T-24 upgrades something that you can call and ask? Does anyone ever see a mileage offer?

I was able to SDC a FCM fare last year - In fact, I took the FCM offer solely because I knew I needed to change to a later flight. The FCM offer a week out was less than the fare difference to change my flight.

MSP-SFO-MSP (V/X fares), offered $430 r/t or $215 o/w starting about two weeks out. $199 at check-in both ways. Outbound upgrade cleared at T-1 hour. Return upgrade wasn't close (15 for 0 out of 51, no surprise on a Thursday afternoon).

LAS-MSP (Q fare), advance offer was fairly stable at $299, sometimes dipping to $230 or spiking to $400-$1000+ the week of. Ended up 5 for 0 out of 27.

ATL-ORD. Round trip was offered immediately after booking for 299.

Checked in and offered 139.

I'm 5 on list of 23. With 4 FC available :(

PDX/SLC/SAN rt offered $194 each way.......um know thanks.

ATL-CLT with 4 seats open offered $89.
Pass

Return tomorrow. Same price. I'm 2 of 26 currently with 4 open.

Checked in Sunday for my flight yesterday LGA/DTW and was offered $189 with five seats open as a diamond on a Q fare. Ended up being 2/4 at the gate.

Here's where it gets interesting, there was someone on my flight I knew and we both parked in the same remote lot and on the shuttle we chatted for a couple minutes. He only flies a couple times a year and told me at check in he was offered $89 and he was only on a V fare. He said he would have considered it if he wasn't carrying on since it would save him the bag fee. Why is Delta offering someone with no status on a cheaper fare a lower buy up than a diamond. The diamond is going to be a lot less likely to buy it since they have a change at the upgrade for free, in my case I had a lot better seat (aisle EC) and if we can check bags for free. Someone who is no status would be more likely to pay a premium if they had an awful seat and Delta is losing out on the checked bag revenue if someone is checking bags.

I think Delta sees it the other way. The DM is already loyal to Delta, and will be regardless of whether they receive an upgrade. If you dislike the offer and still don't want to pay up, you have the option of pulling out a RUC or GUC from your collection to bump everyone else down the list, or retiring to your "upgraded" bulkhead C+ seat. Mr. V fare doesn't have those options, so $89 might entice him.

The no status person on a V fare is more likely to bite at a low offer. Especially on flights like (any hub)-LAS. Between the bag fee and a chance to try out the First Class snack basket, Delta might get a new loyal customer. And for the DM who doesn't get the upgrade, they might be more willing to shell out $189 in the future. At the very least, they will consider using their Amex Plat bonus, CSR bonus, or Delta miles for upgrades in the future.

I wish Delta made the cheap offers to DMs and PMs too. Or at least made it a bidding war on the app. :D But based on the non-medallion or lower-medallion boarding passes I see in FC on my flights, I think Delta is getting people to pay up.