First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Mar 7, 2019, 2:51 pm
#4366
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: 21,371
Mar 7, 2019, 4:49 pm
#4368
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: DL DM, 2 MM; OW Emerald; MVP Gold 100k;Marriott/SPG LTPlat; HH Diamond
Posts: 968
New is $1987/$2094 depending on flights, keep in mind these are 757's to/from ATL-LAX, not lie flat seats, plus orig ticket cost $625 already... I'm not sure why it's so high for Saturday outbound, Friday return, but seems DL doesn't have much love for LAX lately, hardly ever see any FCM offers or if I do they are priced like this, so no thanks.
Mar 7, 2019, 4:56 pm
#4369
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: 21,371
TPA-LAX (nonstop, as well as ATL/SLC/DTW connections) ~$1100; RSW-ATL-LAX ~$1400 ... looks like SRQ is part of the issue
Mar 7, 2019, 9:05 pm
#4370
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SoCal
Programs: LH, DL
Posts: 133
This explains price differences
Mar 8, 2019, 10:54 am
#4371
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Madison, WI (MSN)
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton & Marriott Plastic Gold, Chick-fil-A Signature
Posts: 441
This one makes me chuckle:
For reference, the current price to purchase a brand new first class ticket for this itinerary as a one-way is $653.00.
For reference, the current price to purchase a brand new first class ticket for this itinerary as a one-way is $653.00.
Mar 8, 2019, 11:55 am
#4372
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I cleared at the window Tuesday night for my Sunday ORD/DTW flight and there were four seats available when I looked at the seat map tuesday and still four available so they must not have upgraded any FO or Gold's. Someone in my office and is on that flight as a non-status and they are offering her the buy up from a c- aisle seat to F for $420 LOL. I'm surprised I cleared at the window if Delta thinks they can sell seats for that much. I joked with her that if she wants to sit up front that bad I'll give her my F seat for $200 cash and swap her seats LOL
Mar 8, 2019, 2:47 pm
#4373
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 491
MSP-SFO. Saw the standard ~$180 offer after booking, but decided to just 'change' to the new fare as it was only $20 more ($200) and I was within 24 hours of originally booking. I found last time i did PWM on this route, the agents in the MSP Sky Club thought I had used an upgrade instrument and were unwilling to let me SDC to an earlier flight. It took a call and a hold to the Plat line to get it resolved.
Mar 10, 2019, 3:54 am
#4374
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 57
selling first class upgrades -- interesting experience booking just now on delta.com
i know some of you disagree with doing so on domestic flights, but i just booked a C+ fare on a short haul flight on delta.com. 
first class fares really climb during peak tourist travel times and, well, let's be honest: delta's domestic "first class" isn't all that amazing unless it's the first leg of an international flight. but i digress...
as i was selecting fares, the offered C+ fare on the flights i selected was ~$350 r.t. ($175 per passenger each way,) while the first class fare was ~$750 r.t.. (~$375 per passenger each way.) on a 3 hour flight between lunch and dinner, travelling between FLL and JFK (basically a commuter run on delta metal,) i'll happily sit in C+ to save more than 50% off of the lowest first class fare.
at check out, i was offered an upgrade to first for an additional $364 ($189 per passenger each way,) a slight discount off the lowest first class fare in the fare chart. i declined.
after paying for my C+ ticket, i checked "my trips" and immediately received this offer: a first class upgrade for $598 ($299 per passenger each way!!! well, $299.93, to be exact.)
that 's a penalty "offer" for not upgrading at checkout of ~$222!
now this just reeks of artificially trying to give pax FOMO, incentivising them to pay for first class upgrades at checkout.
in the past few years, i've received dirt cheap offers to upgrade for money/miles in the 24 hours before the flight... the beginning stages of monetizing even upgrades, i suppose. and for $89 each way, i can't say i felt cheated -- IN THE SHORT RUN -- if i took the bait.
i wonder if they have abandoned the cheap last minute, paid upgrade offer in favour of this model.
anyone care to chime in with your own experiences?
first class fares really climb during peak tourist travel times and, well, let's be honest: delta's domestic "first class" isn't all that amazing unless it's the first leg of an international flight. but i digress...as i was selecting fares, the offered C+ fare on the flights i selected was ~$350 r.t. ($175 per passenger each way,) while the first class fare was ~$750 r.t.. (~$375 per passenger each way.) on a 3 hour flight between lunch and dinner, travelling between FLL and JFK (basically a commuter run on delta metal,) i'll happily sit in C+ to save more than 50% off of the lowest first class fare.
at check out, i was offered an upgrade to first for an additional $364 ($189 per passenger each way,) a slight discount off the lowest first class fare in the fare chart. i declined.
after paying for my C+ ticket, i checked "my trips" and immediately received this offer: a first class upgrade for $598 ($299 per passenger each way!!! well, $299.93, to be exact.)
that 's a penalty "offer" for not upgrading at checkout of ~$222!
now this just reeks of artificially trying to give pax FOMO, incentivising them to pay for first class upgrades at checkout.
in the past few years, i've received dirt cheap offers to upgrade for money/miles in the 24 hours before the flight... the beginning stages of monetizing even upgrades, i suppose. and for $89 each way, i can't say i felt cheated -- IN THE SHORT RUN -- if i took the bait.
i wonder if they have abandoned the cheap last minute, paid upgrade offer in favour of this model.
anyone care to chime in with your own experiences?
Mar 11, 2019, 9:30 am
#4376
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: FL35
Programs: DL DM, AS MVPG, AA PP, UA 1K, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HH Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Natl EE
Posts: 420
i know some of you disagree with doing so on domestic flights, but i just booked a C+ fare on a short haul flight on delta.com. first class fares really climb during peak tourist travel times and, well, let's be honest: delta's domestic "first class" isn't all that amazing unless it's the first leg of an international flight. but i digress...
as i was selecting fares, the offered C+ fare on the flights i selected was ~$350 r.t. ($175 per passenger each way,) while the first class fare was ~$750 r.t.. (~$375 per passenger each way.) on a 3 hour flight between lunch and dinner, travelling between FLL and JFK (basically a commuter run on delta metal,) i'll happily sit in C+ to save more than 50% off of the lowest first class fare.
at check out, i was offered an upgrade to first for an additional $364 ($189 per passenger each way,) a slight discount off the lowest first class fare in the fare chart. i declined.
after paying for my C+ ticket, i checked "my trips" and immediately received this offer: a first class upgrade for $598 ($299 per passenger each way!!! well, $299.93, to be exact.)
that 's a penalty "offer" for not upgrading at checkout of ~$222!
now this just reeks of artificially trying to give pax FOMO, incentivising them to pay for first class upgrades at checkout.
in the past few years, i've received dirt cheap offers to upgrade for money/miles in the 24 hours before the flight... the beginning stages of monetizing even upgrades, i suppose. and for $89 each way, i can't say i felt cheated -- IN THE SHORT RUN -- if i took the bait.
i wonder if they have abandoned the cheap last minute, paid upgrade offer in favour of this model.
anyone care to chime in with your own experiences?
first class fares really climb during peak tourist travel times and, well, let's be honest: delta's domestic "first class" isn't all that amazing unless it's the first leg of an international flight. but i digress...as i was selecting fares, the offered C+ fare on the flights i selected was ~$350 r.t. ($175 per passenger each way,) while the first class fare was ~$750 r.t.. (~$375 per passenger each way.) on a 3 hour flight between lunch and dinner, travelling between FLL and JFK (basically a commuter run on delta metal,) i'll happily sit in C+ to save more than 50% off of the lowest first class fare.
at check out, i was offered an upgrade to first for an additional $364 ($189 per passenger each way,) a slight discount off the lowest first class fare in the fare chart. i declined.
after paying for my C+ ticket, i checked "my trips" and immediately received this offer: a first class upgrade for $598 ($299 per passenger each way!!! well, $299.93, to be exact.)
that 's a penalty "offer" for not upgrading at checkout of ~$222!
now this just reeks of artificially trying to give pax FOMO, incentivising them to pay for first class upgrades at checkout.
in the past few years, i've received dirt cheap offers to upgrade for money/miles in the 24 hours before the flight... the beginning stages of monetizing even upgrades, i suppose. and for $89 each way, i can't say i felt cheated -- IN THE SHORT RUN -- if i took the bait.
i wonder if they have abandoned the cheap last minute, paid upgrade offer in favour of this model.
anyone care to chime in with your own experiences?
Last edited by BallardFlyer; Mar 11, 2019 at 9:30 am Reason: spelling
Mar 11, 2019, 10:01 am
#4377
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
What happens if you buy up and then a cancelation forces a change? Do you get a refund if they can't put you in F on the rebooking?
I nearly pulled the trigger on the $95 LGA-MCI I posted upthread but decided against it. The flight wound up canceled the day before due to weather and I was rerouted LGA-ATL-MCI. I'm almost certain there was no F availability on the ATL-MCI leg. As it stood I couldn't get a seat assigned at all until a couple of hours out.l
I nearly pulled the trigger on the $95 LGA-MCI I posted upthread but decided against it. The flight wound up canceled the day before due to weather and I was rerouted LGA-ATL-MCI. I'm almost certain there was no F availability on the ATL-MCI leg. As it stood I couldn't get a seat assigned at all until a couple of hours out.l
Mar 11, 2019, 1:08 pm
#4378
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
One way D bucket first class ticket on 4/10 at 0820 DTW-LAS is $702.00. I'm flying on that flight as a part of a DCA-DTW-LAS itinerary (the National Association of Broadcasters convention is going on in Vegas that week); they are asking me for $885.00 to upgrade the DTW-LAS segment. Looks like I'll be enjoying cans of Miller Lite in C+.
I was able to upgrade my eastbound ticket for less than $250.00 when I booked this in late January.
I was able to upgrade my eastbound ticket for less than $250.00 when I booked this in late January.
Mar 11, 2019, 1:10 pm
#4379
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 495
i know some of you disagree with doing so on domestic flights, but i just booked a C+ fare on a short haul flight on delta.com. first class fares really climb during peak tourist travel times and, well, let's be honest: delta's domestic "first class" isn't all that amazing unless it's the first leg of an international flight. but i digress...
as i was selecting fares, the offered C+ fare on the flights i selected was ~$350 r.t. ($175 per passenger each way,) while the first class fare was ~$750 r.t.. (~$375 per passenger each way.) on a 3 hour flight between lunch and dinner, travelling between FLL and JFK (basically a commuter run on delta metal,) i'll happily sit in C+ to save more than 50% off of the lowest first class fare.
at check out, i was offered an upgrade to first for an additional $364 ($189 per passenger each way,) a slight discount off the lowest first class fare in the fare chart. i declined.
after paying for my C+ ticket, i checked "my trips" and immediately received this offer: a first class upgrade for $598 ($299 per passenger each way!!! well, $299.93, to be exact.)
that 's a penalty "offer" for not upgrading at checkout of ~$222!
now this just reeks of artificially trying to give pax FOMO, incentivising them to pay for first class upgrades at checkout.
in the past few years, i've received dirt cheap offers to upgrade for money/miles in the 24 hours before the flight... the beginning stages of monetizing even upgrades, i suppose. and for $89 each way, i can't say i felt cheated -- IN THE SHORT RUN -- if i took the bait.
i wonder if they have abandoned the cheap last minute, paid upgrade offer in favour of this model.
anyone care to chime in with your own experiences?
first class fares really climb during peak tourist travel times and, well, let's be honest: delta's domestic "first class" isn't all that amazing unless it's the first leg of an international flight. but i digress...as i was selecting fares, the offered C+ fare on the flights i selected was ~$350 r.t. ($175 per passenger each way,) while the first class fare was ~$750 r.t.. (~$375 per passenger each way.) on a 3 hour flight between lunch and dinner, travelling between FLL and JFK (basically a commuter run on delta metal,) i'll happily sit in C+ to save more than 50% off of the lowest first class fare.
at check out, i was offered an upgrade to first for an additional $364 ($189 per passenger each way,) a slight discount off the lowest first class fare in the fare chart. i declined.
after paying for my C+ ticket, i checked "my trips" and immediately received this offer: a first class upgrade for $598 ($299 per passenger each way!!! well, $299.93, to be exact.)
that 's a penalty "offer" for not upgrading at checkout of ~$222!
now this just reeks of artificially trying to give pax FOMO, incentivising them to pay for first class upgrades at checkout.
in the past few years, i've received dirt cheap offers to upgrade for money/miles in the 24 hours before the flight... the beginning stages of monetizing even upgrades, i suppose. and for $89 each way, i can't say i felt cheated -- IN THE SHORT RUN -- if i took the bait.
i wonder if they have abandoned the cheap last minute, paid upgrade offer in favour of this model.
anyone care to chime in with your own experiences?
Mar 11, 2019, 5:35 pm
#4380
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, DL-DM, PnF Plat, Kroger +
Posts: 514
