TheMadBrewer

But there are also cases where I'd like to change (badly enough to pay the change fee) but I don't have to. With E I'd just suck it up and take the original flight and DL gets nothing additional.

pagotto

So, say a Medallion buys an E fare and gets a Medallion Upgrade. Would they still no longer be able to select a seat until check-in in First?

itsaboutthejourney

I say let the bean counters test this. There are segments of the population who want unbundled fares. IMHO this fare should earn 50% EQM.

That said, delta.dumb better make it very clear when searching for lowest if you are buying one of these E fares.

SJC ORD LDR

I see no problem with this idea. If people want to save a few bucks and deal without knowing where they sit, then so be it. If it fills some middle seats, DL will take the extra revenue. Me, I won't buy a flight unless I know I'm in EC or an exit row at worst. I'll even pay a few bucks for that comfort. But, most people will do anything to save a buck and then complain the whole time before repeating the process.

The airlines have figured out that most people will buy what's cheapest and take their lumps later. That's why stuff like baggage fees have been successful.

I'm just waiting for some family to complain that they bought E fares for them and their kids and they ended up in some random middle seats and no one would switch with them.

NWA/Deltaflygirl

THAT'S how it would be. You'd be booking a NEW regular ticket, but the new E fare IS covered by 'Risk free' (the midnight the next day IF booked directly with DL).

If there's even a remote change you'll want to make a voluntary change, I wouldn't book it, but for some people it might be worth the few bucks savings.

SJC ORD LDR

I said the same thing when they raised the change fee from $50. Everyone has their tolerance points.

javabytes

Yes, you're right, I copied and pasted and left the change fee in with the basic ticket where it doesn't belong. Good catch.

javabytes

Agreed. The very last sentence in my post indicates as much. People may think harder about whether they really need to change. But when they do, DL is making out with far more cash than in the past.

fti

You are close but the passenger wouldn't pay the $150 change fee if they use the Basic economy fare - remember no changes!

fti

Of course it is covered by the 'risk free' policy - that policy is now federal law!

twoner32

Trying to compete with Spirit


March 20, 2012) - Delta Air Lines is introducing a new Basic Economy fare product for domestic travel on Delta flights between Detroit (DTW) and the following cities in Florida:

Detroit (DTW) to/from:

Orlando (MCO)
Ft. Myers (RSW)
Ft. Lauderdale (FLL)
Tampa (TPA)

Basic Economy may be expanded to other markets in the future as determined
by Delta.

As of March 13, 2012, Delta began offering customers the ability to customize their flight experience through the purchase of “Trip Extras” which are available for purchase on Basic Economy and other Delta fares in select domestic markets.

Basic Economy

The Basic Economy product is designed to offer consumer choice and customization to the individual’s travel experience. The product is ideal for travelers who seek the lowest fare option, do not intend to make changes and do not consider seat choice an important part of their travel experience. Customers who prefer selecting seats and having flexibility in travel should consider fare options other than Basic Economy.

Basic Economy Fare Highlights:

Are identifiable by class of service “E”
Will be published and available via GDS
Voluntary changes will not be permitted
Are non-refundable (except due to involuntary cases, such as irregular operations)
Are combinable only with other Basic Economy fares

Itinerary must be all E class segments or no E class segments
E class interline combinations are not permitted

Advance seat assignments are not permitted. Seats will be assigned by Delta at the time of customer check-in, and once assigned, no changes will be allowed.

Note: Same Day Confirmed, schedule changes, irregular operations, baggage handling and all other processes are treated the same for Basic Economy fares as they are for any other fare type purchased.

Travel Agent Information Regarding Basic Economy

Fare Shopping, Pricing Low Fare Products, Low- Fare Finders, and Self Booking Tools

When using low-fare finder type options or self-booking tools that search for the lowest fares, it is important to note the following:

Basic Economy will likely be returned, as it is the lowest fare
The Basic Economy fare will be nonrefundable, non-changeable and will not permit advanced seat assignments
If the Basic Economy fare is selected, the customer must be notified of all the fare rules. In addition, expectations of the travel experience must be clearly explained.

Consult the GDS or Self Booking Tool (SBT) provider to determine the most effective entries for pricing “sell up” fares or exclusions.

Trip Extras

When purchasing a Delta fare, customers traveling on select domestic flights are able to customize their flight experience through the purchase of various add-on products called “Trip Extras.”

Trip Extras will be available to purchase for any fare type primarily via delta.com and include the following:

Mileage Booster ™ - purchase of SkyMiles® miles in increments of 1,000 and up to 3,000 miles (must have valid SkyMiles number)
Delta 24 Hour Wi-Fi Pass

24 hours of unlimited Internet on all GoGo®-equipped Delta flights

Priority Boarding

Available for purchase for purchase through delta.com, online check in, and kiosks in select markets
Valid only for early boarding on the Delta or Delta Connection flight for which it was purchased

“Lift” package – includes Priority Boarding and Mileage Booster – 1,000 miles
“Ascend” package – includes Priority Boarding and Delta 24 Hour Wi-Fi Pass

Note:

Select Trip Extras may be limited to single passenger PNRs (Delta 24 Hour Wi-Fi Pass, Priority Boarding, Lift package and Ascend Package)
Trip Extras are not changeable and non-refundable except for involuntary reasons
Priority Boarding will be available via kiosk and online check-in; Mileage Booster will also be sold via online check-in
Mileage Booster ™, Delta 24 Hour Wi-Fi Pass, Priority Boarding, Lift package and Ascend Package will be sold on delta.com (Booking, Award ticket and My Trips)

javabytes

NWA/Deltaflygirl caught me too. Fixeded it.

SDQBound

Some European Carriers have this kind of fare, as mentioned before. However, their Elite members (i.e Iberia Elites/Oneworld Elites) can still select seats before check-in.

Vuelos

Why would you see the VDB potential go down?

To you & me maybe but to Ma & Pa Kettle with 3 kids that's $150 for something where they won't need flexibility...

fti

I could definitely see it. If I buy a ticket that absolutely can not be changed and I can't use it, rather than calling the airline to tell them I am not flying I would just not show up (or check in, then not show up). So rather than DL trying to resell the seat, I am already a 100% no-show (in my mind, but DL doesn't know that). Perhaps DL's IT would take such no-shows into account when overbooking flights, but since it is a new product with no track record and with DL's notoriety in their IT dept, I would think that is highly unlikely.