If you really truly want help, you can start by telling us all the weekly routing that is keeping you in Y. How far in advance do you book, what fare class do you book and what is the typical or average fare that you pay?

This was a facetious comment. Most people don't want someone to tell them what they're doing wrong.

I'm traveling long term on a project to IAH from ATL. I have to book 3 weeks out. Fares vary, but rarely Y, mostly Q and below. Avg$ was $350 per r/t last year, $450 this year. I'm on a super heavy elite routing, with many diamonds. I'm totally ok(or just used to it) with not getting upgraded. I didn't get upgraded all of last year as PM. A colleague is a diamond and he gets upgraded something like 15% of the time. There's really nothing to do about it.

Again, this wasn't my complaint. I was just mad at a perceived slight from IrishFlyer.

No you haven't. My upgrades on my normal travel route weren't part of my complaint. I told him to screw himself because he insulted me. I'm not asking for delta to change for me. I'm saying delta is f-ing FF's with FCM, especially on the example that i mentioned.

I said nothing about delta planning it's strategies around me. Nice straw man. My entire complaint was that delta is making upgrades harder by selling F seats cheaper than coach. This affects me.

This statement is contradictory to itself. FCM is a revenue strategy of DL, plain and simple and by whining about it, you are hoping/expecting DL to change it's strategy to fit you. And if the FF's feel they're being screwed by FCM, well, those FF's are just as free to take advantage of FCM as the non-elites.

I'm neither hoping nor expecting delta to change. Nice try.

So then why are you complaining about it and starting a thread calling it "infuriating" and saying how this (FCM) is "f-ing over FFers" if you're not hoping nor expecting DL to change its strategy?

Sometimes it's nice to have a moan. Sometimes i want to know what others think. If you read the thread, i encouraged other to talk about their experiences.

This an internet forum, it's not that serious.

And here i thought the OP was serious:eek:

For an extra $135.00, I can buy directly into F on the JFK non stop to SXM (saturday service only). ITs on a flat bed 757 as well. So, I did it. To hell wiith the battlefield UG. To the OP, call DL and see if they will accept the difference in fare without the penalty.

The business of commercial aviation is changing. Some pax and some of their employers don't want to or can't change. Either adapt or sit in the back.

When platitudes like "we've got your back," "loyalty is a two way street," "more seats in first" and "complimentary medallion upgrades" are couched in "based on availability" and "may not be available on all flights".....along with an increased push to upsell FC at bargain rates close in to departure dates...well after many of us have already booked and not at inconsequential fares - and then charging $150 plus the nominal fare difference to change from an M fare to an A or P.....

Its not the business strategy, its the marketing strategy that is "infuriating."

It would seem that DL's marketing strategy is working just fine. The model is working or they would have abandoned it and there is nothing they are say that is factually wrong. They do have more seats in F that any other carrier. They do have complimentary space-available UGs for elites. There is nothing DL is saying that is a lie.

Again, you think it's bad here, go read the threads over on the UA board. The FCM over there is worse in that UA is selling day of departure UGs to non-elites before clearing some UGs for elites...or so some folks are claiming.

As a reminder...we are getting something for free when we get a complimentary UG. Yes, it's nice to reward our loyalty but remember, if DL cannot get an ROI on the first class cabins they'll start pulling seats out and adding more coach back in...a la US and UA. There are DL RJs that have more seats in F than US and UA mainline.

Absolutely correct. A friend of mine is an FA for UA and confirmed that UA is really screwing over their FFers and has no plan to change their policies. And they're getting tons of complaints yet nobody at UA seems to care. Because DL and soon if not already US/AA will be doing the same thing.

Correct...it is why I bailed on UA last year and took the AA status match. As a 1K flying mainly out of ORD I was clearing UGs about 50% of the time. That and the horrible customer service made me leave.

I have an interesting question for the group. People are complaining about FCM because it lowers chances of UGs. If DL were to dump FCM and follow the AA route of paid UGs for all but top elites (DM) using 500-mile "stickers," would that be more acceptable to folks? It's a way to generate revenue while reserving UGs for folks who want them and are willing to pay for them. Just a thought...

As long as DL increased its spending on meals to more than $1.15 per pax and expanded the meal windows to match AA, would totally support it.