I disagree - I think that in the context of customer satisfaction, the platitudes (marketing strategy) is not working fine in that the business strategy (FCM) undermines it. When a DM can't get upgraded even when using an SWU domestically it may mean more cash to the bottom line in the short run but seriously impacts on the perception that there are "more seats in FC."

I think the challenge you are having is the inability to dissociate the business from the marketing. Factually and legally, the FCM impacts are defensible. But that's the steak part of the rationale, and in case you forgot your undergradute marketing 101 class - people aren't buying steak, they are buying the sizzle.

I disagree - "complimentary" upgrades are not free - they are part of what marketers call the extended product. Every time a medallion buys a ticket he is also buying a chance of an upgrade. When medallions reflect back on the percentage of upgrades they are getting this year versus last and realize that the probability has declined, the value add of "complimentary" upgrades is less as well. There is a tipping point to this thing called "loyalty."

And that is the discrepancy between Delta's FCM business model and its marketing model.

If you are going to insult someone, you may want to first turn on spell-check. ;)

It is too early to tell how their strategy is working. I suspect they may be okay not matter how poor their FF program becomes, because there really aren't any other options.

They will get about 5k less in revenue from me this year, but they may get 10 more customers from the other carriers to more than offset it. My reducing travel has nothing to do with their FF plan, but rather of the 22 segments I have flown this year at least 15 experienced delays.

I think the Delta front line folks are the best, but the operations this year have been bad. Maybe it is just a coincidence?

Restricting the F buyups to elites would be a good compromise IMO.
(The only problem is I feel that DL might do the exact opposite.)
I have not booked these for myself but I know many people who have bought these as they were cheaper than the Y fare on their preferred carrier.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he had a college education that included a business curriculum. In your case, if typos is the best you've got...

"if typos is the best you've got..."?
And here I gave you the benefit of the doubt, in spite of your FT handle. ;)

That fact that I am still 100% on upgrades on the cheapest available coach fares on both AA and DL tells me that the sky is not falling.
If you are seeing reduced upgrade rates and it bothers you, stop your whining and manage your travels better.

+1

If Delta wants to play the FCM game, then they need to consider doing it in a way that is not inconsistent with their marketing (loyalty is a two way street) scheme. In the case of the "close in" FCM - when a $700 K-fare transcon that I bought 2 weeks ago is now selling for $750 for a Y-UP of some sort three days prior and FC goes from F9 to F3, I would think that Delta SHOULD sell me the "new" FC fare for the fare difference. Instead, it would cost $200, not $50.

That's the issue - its not about FCM, its about selectively discriminating against your own HVCs in how you dole them out - why does it make a difference to the business guys who pays the extra $50 - when in fact it should make a huge difference to the marketeers. Imagine the spin one could put on the "no change fee" (SDC-like) equivalent to the FCM. Imagine how much more credible the deflection of dissention would be.

Its not a whine - it is a credible observation of an inconsistency between what Delta's marketing spin is - and what its business model is doing to undermine it.

As for typos - my bad - not that I care too much - I think and type too fast and care little on sites like this. If pointing out typos makes you feel better, glad I could help.

Or else? I'll jump to? Eastern, Braniff, TWA?

Jet Blue could meet a lot of my current travel needs, actually. But who said anything about leaving? Last time - the marketing hype about loyalty, more FC seats, and so on, and the FCM business model being implemented when FC tickets are less expensive than coach inside the upgrade window represents an inconsistency that left unresolved will "infuriate" the HVC.

Oops.:o

Comments on my understanding of marketing aside, I think you are making an (erroneous) assumption that the UGs are what drive the ROI quantification you are speaking of. For many medallions, the ROI calculation is based on a large number of think which may or may not include likelihood of UG. Some folks may make the decision based on the UGs, but it's also about other benefits such as baggage fees, early boarding, preferred seats, etc., etc., etc.

As for the "marketing" of the whole thing, DL does not commit in its marketing materials to a percentage of upgrades, rather it markets that space available UGs will be made available based on a number of criteria. DL has in no way diverted from this marketing message. And, as I asserted earlier, the grass is not greener over at UA, US or AA so folks who walk because they are not getting enough UGs will find a very similar situation with the other carriers.

i was a little to generous in describig it as a sleeper seat. I should have said recliner seat. Still, for only an extra $125 bucks or so, its well worth it, especially when heading down to sxm. Its still a ton better then the standard first class seat commonly found on most 757;s

how does that seat map indicate those are the same sleeper seats as on JFK-SFO?

I've flown a 757 to the Caribbean (STT) tens of times, and the seat map looked exactly the same - "BusinessElite", 24 seats, etc etc. As far as I know, that's a normal 757 FC cabin, marketed as BE for Caribbean flights.

Correct me if I'm wrong...