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Originally Posted by bubbashow
(Post 18282124)
If it does truly switch to a revenue-based earning plan, I would imagine the elites that get those F class seats will truly be valued members of the game. It shocks me that a site full of BUSINESS travelers are so fixated on a marketing scheme. There has to be more to your self-worth than a colored luggage tag.
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Originally Posted by vxmike
(Post 18382716)
Originally Posted by AllanAtlanta
(Post 18382632)
What I think would be extraordinary would be to offer a tiered price based on status. $25 for Diamond to upgrade, $50 for Plat, $100 Gold, $150 silver and $200 for others. This would split the different between respecting elites but still increasing revenue -- similar to AA and it's sticker system. However, it will not maximize revenue. They would have to make the upgrade price the same for EVERYONE or else it will be too tempting to offer non-status flyers upgrades before elites the way FCM currently works. AA's system really is the most fair for an airline wanting to monetize upgrades. Even if Delta went to the same system but eliminated free upgrades for Diamonds, they'd still make money and have a "fair" system. Interesting as Plat/Amex Reserve I am 13 for 16 on upgrades including a few key ATL-SFO flights. I book on schedule and never SDC as I value my time too highly. I've been shocked how many upgrades I've had this year. |
Now 3/4 day inside the Platinum window for LAX-RDU - 13 of 16 FC remaining. Did not clear at window as PM on award ticket. I've never cleared any time other than at the window or at the gate - nothing in between those times.
I'm guessing I have decent odds of clearing at the gate, but something has definitely changed since last year - I cleared at the window every time I was in the same situation. Now it seems I might not clear even with all FC seats available. I'd say that's evidence of a (small, but real) program change. |
Originally Posted by buffcoat
(Post 18418883)
I'd say that's evidence of a (small, but real) program change.
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Frustrating, to say the least. Given that I purchased two weeks ago and F was around $1,000. I'd be happy to pay the difference, but due to change fees and other insanity it's like $600 to upgrade my U ticket to the P.
https://p.twimg.com/AqzGpASCAAAcNyD.png:large |
Originally Posted by BobRoss
(Post 18419076)
Frustrating, to say the least. Given that I purchased two weeks ago and F was around $1,000. I'd be happy to pay the difference, but due to change fees and other insanity it's like $600 to upgrade my U ticket to the P.
https://p.twimg.com/AqzGpASCAAAcNyD.png:large If the options were there back then, then I can't fault Delta. But I have come to the conclusion that there are instances when the M to P difference shrinks as flight time approaches. Only anecdote, not data. |
Dear Doug...
Originally Posted by batdude
(Post 18201757)
this is one of the things about FT that really upsets me.
Not everyone here is a millionaire/lawyer/doctor. most of us are just middle-class white/blue collar worker bees who happen to travel extensively for work. We don't have the means/ability to "buy" first class tix for our biz travel. As a contractor to the gov, if i bought a first class ticket to support the customer, there would be HELL TO PAY. Most likely, I would be paying that difference out of pocket once the gov auditors saw the ticket. So please, keep the "just buy a first class ticket" crap to yourself. If I had my druthers, I'd be on a chartered G5, not a busted old 757. Now that you have kicked the hornets nest, I'll go even further. I jump through hoops to fly delta. Why? Because for the most part, they have treated me right over the years. What I'm pointing out with this post is that FCM is starting to affect high mile flyers, like myself (sorry, only on a sLUT fare..) and will make us start questioning our continued loyalty to the airline. that's all. doug |
Originally Posted by generaltao
(Post 18418934)
Yep. I believe the "window" is on the endangered species list. The future is battlefield upgrades.
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Update: I got upgraded between the window and the gate for the first time ever, at T-3.5 days.
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Yesterday, DTW-ATL, when I checked in at ~T-21, there were 20 out of 26 F seats available. 15 upgrades were cleared at the gate. I watched expert flyer and it went from V9 to V0 the day before the window would have opened.
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One of the positives of FCM for the DMs and PMs. There are more seats left for the BF upgrade. There used to be threads on the lack of remaining F seats for a DM purchasing a last minute ticket. Plenty of complaints about FOs upgraded at the window and DMs in the back. Now you have a fighting chance at the upgrade if you don't by the P insurance policy and certainly fewer FOs (not on Y fares) in the front.
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Originally Posted by turkeyRIOO
(Post 18428872)
One of the positives of FCM for the DMs and PMs. There are more seats left for the BF upgrade. There used to be threads on the lack of remaining F seats for a DM purchasing a last minute ticket. Plenty of complaints about FOs upgraded at the window and DMs in the back. Now you have a fighting chance at the upgrade if you don't by the P insurance policy and certainly fewer FOs (not on Y fares) in the front.
I get what I want and someone else who has to go to DTW is going to benefit, as that flight only has 2 open F seats. Granted I rarely get sLUT tickets due to the nature of my travel and close in booking; but why should I on an H fare sit in the back when sLUTs are sitting up front? |
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Originally Posted by turkeyRIOO
(Post 18428872)
One of the positives of FCM for the DMs and PMs. There are more seats left for the BF upgrade. There used to be threads on the lack of remaining F seats for a DM purchasing a last minute ticket. Plenty of complaints about FOs upgraded at the window and DMs in the back. Now you have a fighting chance at the upgrade if you don't by the P insurance policy and certainly fewer FOs (not on Y fares) in the front.
I would rather see the PM/DM window moved in closer to the flight, perhaps even 1 day out, with all others processed at the gate if available. This would be more fair for everyone, and would still give an opportunity to SDC if the upgrade doesn't happen. It would be better for DL to change the timing, and perhaps even state that they will withhold 2-4 seats for same-day bookings and travel changes, than to say the PM/DM window is 5 days, GM is 3, FO is 1, and then just not upgrade anyone until the gate. There has to be some middle ground on this that would be better for everyone. |
Originally Posted by turkeyRIOO
(Post 18428872)
One of the positives of FCM for the DMs and PMs. There are more seats left for the BF upgrade. There used to be threads on the lack of remaining F seats for a DM purchasing a last minute ticket. Plenty of complaints about FOs upgraded at the window and DMs in the back. Now you have a fighting chance at the upgrade if you don't by the P insurance policy and certainly fewer FOs (not on Y fares) in the front.
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