First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Nov 9, 2015, 8:15 pm
#2777
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
And then there's the other extreme.
We're booked MSY-ATL-MCO-ATL-MSY on V fares at $214 RT. They're selling A for $654 and offering me FCM to A for $538 RT.
We're booked MSY-ATL-MCO-ATL-MSY on V fares at $214 RT. They're selling A for $654 and offering me FCM to A for $538 RT.
Nov 9, 2015, 10:26 pm
#2779
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
Flew the reverse (from MCO) two weeks ago and had the same experience. The upgrade was even a little higher than the above. Never gave it a second thought. However, purchased upgrade for MCO-ATL-ROA-ATL-MCO this weekend for a little over $100 for the 4 segments.
Nov 9, 2015, 10:28 pm
#2780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Nov 10, 2015, 6:29 am
#2781
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
As GM I can SDC for no cost, then I can change the FF number back to VS to get the points on Virgin Atlantic.
If I need to SDC on the way back, then I'll fork over the $50. I have two flights after landing on my return leg (miles going to DL). If I SDC those I'd need to change the above return leg.
I bought a bunch of multi-hop trips to make sure that I'd be able to status match by segments but unexpectedly made my miles requirement by 20 miles on my last trip from JFK. So, I don't need to fly the crazy route and if I can change it to be more relaxed with time in a SkyLounge, I'd be happier.
I do like the flexibility of SDC.
Steve
If I need to SDC on the way back, then I'll fork over the $50. I have two flights after landing on my return leg (miles going to DL). If I SDC those I'd need to change the above return leg.
I bought a bunch of multi-hop trips to make sure that I'd be able to status match by segments but unexpectedly made my miles requirement by 20 miles on my last trip from JFK. So, I don't need to fly the crazy route and if I can change it to be more relaxed with time in a SkyLounge, I'd be happier.
I do like the flexibility of SDC.
Steve
Nov 10, 2015, 7:40 am
#2782
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Nov 10, 2015, 9:20 am
#2783
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
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Posts: 12,809
Nov 10, 2015, 10:14 pm
#2784
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Minneapolis, originally from Cincinnati
Programs: Diamond with Delta, Hyatt and Hilton. 2 MM and Plat with America (thank you citi:))
Posts: 2,345
ATL-DTW one-way next week. FCM offer is $370. Hah.
Separate ticket: 3-leg multi-city bouncing around from DTW back to ATL over the rest of the week. At checkout, offered the option to UG for $79/leg. I don't need FC for the first two, so I call in to just UG the final leg.
PM desk clicks around a bit, moves me to an A fare, and issues a $19 ETV. Apparently FC was cheaper than coach for that last leg. Hooray RM dept...
Separate ticket: 3-leg multi-city bouncing around from DTW back to ATL over the rest of the week. At checkout, offered the option to UG for $79/leg. I don't need FC for the first two, so I call in to just UG the final leg.
PM desk clicks around a bit, moves me to an A fare, and issues a $19 ETV. Apparently FC was cheaper than coach for that last leg. Hooray RM dept...
I'm travelling MSP/MIA next month. FCM buy up was $315. I am booked on a B fare coming back with only a few seats still available but going on a T fare with the whole front cabin open. I called asking how much it would be to upgrade just the flight home and was moved into first on that flight into an A fare and given an ETV of $12.50.
RA is going to be able to reach his goal of 70 percent paid first class really easy at this rate.
Nov 10, 2015, 10:35 pm
#2785
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
Good job! Similar situation here
I'm travelling MSP/MIA next month. FCM buy up was $315. I am booked on a B fare coming back with only a few seats still available but going on a T fare with the whole front cabin open. I called asking how much it would be to upgrade just the flight home and was moved into first on that flight into an A fare and given an ETV of $12.50.
RA is going to be able to reach his goal of 70 percent paid first class really easy at this rate.
I'm travelling MSP/MIA next month. FCM buy up was $315. I am booked on a B fare coming back with only a few seats still available but going on a T fare with the whole front cabin open. I called asking how much it would be to upgrade just the flight home and was moved into first on that flight into an A fare and given an ETV of $12.50.
RA is going to be able to reach his goal of 70 percent paid first class really easy at this rate.
Nov 11, 2015, 12:03 am
#2786
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Any of us could; but it would have impacted profits too much. (Except, obviously, for the cases where FCA-M applies.)
Nov 11, 2015, 6:26 pm
#2787
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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Posts: 33,857
This one makes little sense to me. Flying FAY-ATL-FLL on a V-Fare tomorrow. Since booking, FCM offer of $186.50 to upgrade just ATL-FLL (FAY-ATL is a CRJ-200). At check in, offered an upgrade for $199.
Nov 12, 2015, 12:04 am
#2788
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Last-minute price increase; what's weird about that? Maybe one person took the first offer, so they raised the price.
Nov 12, 2015, 7:44 am
#2789
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
$587 to upgrade my DTW/ATL trip next weekend. If someone is willing to pay that to upgrade then they deserve to sit up front.
I love seeing absurd FC upgrade fares. When they are sky high I always seem to get the upgrades since no one is willing to bite and pay to sit up front.
I love seeing absurd FC upgrade fares. When they are sky high I always seem to get the upgrades since no one is willing to bite and pay to sit up front.
Nov 12, 2015, 10:32 am
#2790
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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Posts: 33,857
I was monitoring it every day, the seat numbers haven't changed. There's an upgrade list of 34, you'd think they'd try to offer it for say $99 which a reasonable person with a bad Y seat might pay. But hey what do I know.