First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
May 25, 2019, 9:37 am
#4621
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
I wasn’t entirely clear ... using $$ to FCM a non-refundable coach ticket results in a reissue, but the RULES of the original ticket (e.g., $200 fee for change or cancellation) remain in place — it’s just as if you had purchased the I/Z/D ticket at the outset
May 25, 2019, 9:41 am
#4622
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I don't think that's totally true. If you try to change or cancel that ticket, you will only get back (in a credit) the value of the original coach ticket less the change fee. The money or miles spent to upgrade is entirely lost, unless you call and plead your case.
May 30, 2019, 12:13 pm
#4624
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
RDU - LGA , CR9 $44 (about 4 weeks out)
LGA - RDU, CR9 $44 (about 4 weeks out)
RDU - AUS, CR9 $99 (about 6 weeks out)
AUS - ATL - RDU, A321 $200 for combined purchase (about 6 weeks out)
The $44 is tempting but midweek RDU - LGA I'll take my chances on the PM upgrade and be fine with the C+ and free drink for a short flight if it doesn't clear.
RDU - AUS is very tempting at $99 -- if I needed the MQMs I would be all over it but it's the MQDs I really need (thanks to MQM rollover) so saving some of my incremental for a potential MQD partner run later in the year
LGA - RDU, CR9 $44 (about 4 weeks out)
RDU - AUS, CR9 $99 (about 6 weeks out)
AUS - ATL - RDU, A321 $200 for combined purchase (about 6 weeks out)
The $44 is tempting but midweek RDU - LGA I'll take my chances on the PM upgrade and be fine with the C+ and free drink for a short flight if it doesn't clear.
RDU - AUS is very tempting at $99 -- if I needed the MQMs I would be all over it but it's the MQDs I really need (thanks to MQM rollover) so saving some of my incremental for a potential MQD partner run later in the year
May 30, 2019, 4:45 pm
#4625
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: DL PM, MM; Marriott Plat
Posts: 458
Someone at Revenue Management is crazy. For a trip next Wednesday -
PSC-SEA (175 miles) - $164
SEA-JFK - $993
JFK-SYR - N/A (on CRJ)
the following week -
YOW-YYZ - N/A (on WestJet DH-400)
YYZ-SLC - $139
SLC-PSC - $84
$165 for a less than 30 minute flight where at best you get coach snacks and a drink!!
Almost an extra $1000 for SEA-JFK?
Wow. On an H fare so not a bargain fare. PSC-SEA has 9 empty seats on a E175, selling Z fares for $207. PSC-JFK is $404 for L and $623 for I on the same flights. Adding SYR bumps coach and F fares by about $200 each.
PSC-SEA (175 miles) - $164
SEA-JFK - $993
JFK-SYR - N/A (on CRJ)
the following week -
YOW-YYZ - N/A (on WestJet DH-400)
YYZ-SLC - $139
SLC-PSC - $84
$165 for a less than 30 minute flight where at best you get coach snacks and a drink!!
Almost an extra $1000 for SEA-JFK?
Wow. On an H fare so not a bargain fare. PSC-SEA has 9 empty seats on a E175, selling Z fares for $207. PSC-JFK is $404 for L and $623 for I on the same flights. Adding SYR bumps coach and F fares by about $200 each.
Last edited by Paplover; May 31, 2019 at 12:44 pm
May 31, 2019, 4:22 am
#4626
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mesilla, NM
Programs: DL DM 4.7 MM MQM Marriott Ambassador Lifetime Titanium AA CK
Posts: 2,714
DL was asking 12/28 $400 MSP-SJU and 1/4 $890 SJU-MSP. Just both for $194 each way so total of $388. Best price value on FCM ever for me. 5+ hour flight each way.
May 31, 2019, 6:17 am
#4627
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lawrence, MA USA
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 273
BOS-SEA-ANC this August. Was offered an upgrade to F on the SEA-ANC leg for $120 or 12k miles - jumped on that mileage deal, felt it was definitely worth it for a 3.5 hour flight!
(The C+ upgrade was 10,400 miles.)
(The C+ upgrade was 10,400 miles.)
May 31, 2019, 12:25 pm
#4628
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Someone at Revenue Management is crazy. For a trip next Wednesday -
PSC-SEA (175 miles) - $164
SEA-JFK - $993
JFK-SUR - N/A (on CRJ)
the following week -
YOW-YYZ - N/A (on WestJet DH-400)
YYZ-SLC - $139
SLC-PSC - $84
$165 for a less than 30 minute flight where at best you get coach snacks and a drink!!
Almost an extra $1000 for SEA-JFK?
Wow. On an H fare so not a bargain fare. PSC-SEA has 9 empty seats on a E175, selling Z fares for $207. PSC-JFK is $404 for L and $623 for I on the same flights. Adding SYR bumps coach and F fares by about $200 each.
PSC-SEA (175 miles) - $164
SEA-JFK - $993
JFK-SUR - N/A (on CRJ)
the following week -
YOW-YYZ - N/A (on WestJet DH-400)
YYZ-SLC - $139
SLC-PSC - $84
$165 for a less than 30 minute flight where at best you get coach snacks and a drink!!
Almost an extra $1000 for SEA-JFK?
Wow. On an H fare so not a bargain fare. PSC-SEA has 9 empty seats on a E175, selling Z fares for $207. PSC-JFK is $404 for L and $623 for I on the same flights. Adding SYR bumps coach and F fares by about $200 each.
May 31, 2019, 12:37 pm
#4629
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I asked the PM line about this a couple weeks ago; the agent said using miles is considered a “seat upgrade” (i.e., non-refundable, since the ticket wouldn’t actually get reissued) ... paying $$ for the upgrade generates a new ticket in the higher fare class, and the entire value retains the non-refundable basis of the original ticket
Does this mean using miles for an FCM offer also does not result in front-cabin SDC rules and MQM earning? I'm considering paying 6900 RDM for an upcoming short hop but will dish out $70 instead as I'm mostly doing it for SDC flexibility.
May 31, 2019, 12:51 pm
#4630
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
Wait - I thought using miles for FCM was essentially a PWM thing, and would result in reticketing in the premium cabin fare class.
Does this mean using miles for an FCM offer also does not result in front-cabin SDC rules and MQM earning? I'm considering paying 6900 RDM for an upcoming short hop but will dish out $70 instead as I'm mostly doing it for SDC flexibility.
Does this mean using miles for an FCM offer also does not result in front-cabin SDC rules and MQM earning? I'm considering paying 6900 RDM for an upcoming short hop but will dish out $70 instead as I'm mostly doing it for SDC flexibility.
Purchased Upgrade with Miles
May 31, 2019, 3:00 pm
#4631
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,317
If original ticket was purchased with cash or PWM:
- Upgrading with $ or miles will result in the 150% MQM bonus if FCM offer was purchased before OLCI
- Extra MQDs will be earned for the cash portion of the UG cost.
- New ticket will be considered FC fare for SDC purposes as long as the UG was purchased before OLCI.
If original ticket was an award ticket (not PWM):
- No bonus MQMs are awarded if using miles or cash
- MQDs will be earned for the cash amounts used for UGs.
- New ticket will be considered a FC fare for SDC purposes as long as the UG was purchased before OLCI.
- Upgrading with $ or miles will result in the 150% MQM bonus if FCM offer was purchased before OLCI
- Extra MQDs will be earned for the cash portion of the UG cost.
- New ticket will be considered FC fare for SDC purposes as long as the UG was purchased before OLCI.
If original ticket was an award ticket (not PWM):
- No bonus MQMs are awarded if using miles or cash
- MQDs will be earned for the cash amounts used for UGs.
- New ticket will be considered a FC fare for SDC purposes as long as the UG was purchased before OLCI.
May 31, 2019, 3:12 pm
#4632
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
I'm agnostic on whether it's a distinct enough topic to avoid being merged into *this* thread but at least a pointer to it could be put into this thread's wiki...
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Jun 4, 2019, 3:12 pm
#4633
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
RDU - LGA , CR9 $44 (about 4 weeks out)
LGA - RDU, CR9 $44 (about 4 weeks out)
RDU - AUS, CR9 $99 (about 6 weeks out)
AUS - ATL - RDU, A321 $200 for combined purchase (about 6 weeks out)
The $44 is tempting but midweek RDU - LGA I'll take my chances on the PM upgrade and be fine with the C+ and free drink for a short flight if it doesn't clear.
RDU - AUS is very tempting at $99 -- if I needed the MQMs I would be all over it but it's the MQDs I really need (thanks to MQM rollover) so saving some of my incremental for a potential MQD partner run later in the year
LGA - RDU, CR9 $44 (about 4 weeks out)
RDU - AUS, CR9 $99 (about 6 weeks out)
AUS - ATL - RDU, A321 $200 for combined purchase (about 6 weeks out)
The $44 is tempting but midweek RDU - LGA I'll take my chances on the PM upgrade and be fine with the C+ and free drink for a short flight if it doesn't clear.
RDU - AUS is very tempting at $99 -- if I needed the MQMs I would be all over it but it's the MQDs I really need (thanks to MQM rollover) so saving some of my incremental for a potential MQD partner run later in the year
Jun 4, 2019, 7:16 pm
#4634
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
Randomly checked a trip in less than 2 months out and MSP-HND is ~$350 to business (from premium select), is it a no brainer to upgrade now or should I wait to see if it'll drop more?
Jun 4, 2019, 7:19 pm
#4635
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
$350 comes out to ~$30/hour