Purchasing higher fare class
 

I'm curious to know how many people actually go in and select a higher fare class when booking a ticket? There's so much talk on here about fare class, value to the airline, upgrades only on certain fares, etc. I'm specifically talking about domestic trips, since I know people probably do it in order to use SWUs.

But who honestly does a search for a flight, finds availability in LUTVX and then says, no, wait, I don't want that fare, I'm going to go back and buy a K (or higher) fare on this same exact flight so I can pay more?

(Maybe that could happen this year with MQD's, but I still think it's a long shot).

I've done it plenty of times. I have even upfared on day of travel to use a SWU domestically. (Btw to anyone considering doing the same -- good luck getting MQDs on the fare differential... turned out to be impossible for me.)

I don't do it. There's no reason for me to do it if I already know where I'm traveling. Upgrades aren't worth it. Obviously some times I need to buy more expensive fare classes when the cheaper ones aren't available, but I do always buy the cheapest fare that suits my needs. I'd never go and buy a K fare just to get an upgrade when an L is there on the same flight for $150 less.

This...especially on flights like MIA-LAX. Would definitely rather spend 6 hrs in F than Y.

I never upfare to another coach fare class unless using an SWU (for which the upgrade can be immediately confirmed). If I'm buying up to FC directly, that's a bit different.

Back in the dark ages when FOs could actually get upgrades, and upgrades were only available on certain fare classes (above LUT IIRC?), I would always compare the cost for longer flights to see if it made sense. And sometimes it did. Thus, I could see people doing the same now w MQDs in play, especially towards the end of the year if they're cutting it close.

I've paid extra for K fares on multiple occasions. Most of the time it's when I'm traveling with my wife and want to use miles/SWU to get up front. I booked her a ticket to Hartford over the summer and paid extra then used miles to confirm her in first. We're traveling to Boston in May with our 2 year old, and I paid extra for K fares to use a SWU for son/myself and miles for my wife on a separate PNR.

After the JFK-SFO/LAX/SEA announcement of no complimentary upgrades, I'll probably be saving SWU's to use on that route and buying K fares to get up front. I route through JFK a lot heading to the east coast. Already have my solo return from Boston booked through JFK using a SWU, and paida bout $100 extra for the higher fare to help get me up front.

I've never paid the higher fare just to get ahead of the line in the upgrade list. It's always when I'm using a SWU or miles for a confirmed upgrade (or wait list on SFO-JFK)

"Back in the day", so to speak, I routinely booked K fares when they were instantly upgradable for PMs. I always thought that was a bad move by going away from that plan but I think most here don't. Now, I never upfare but I still am able to pick the flights I want (within reason). I also selectively pick both my departure airport (always an option) and arrival airport (sometimes an option) for the price, dates and times that I want or need. Sometimes the most convenient option isn't the cheapest and the company I work for gives me a fair amount of latitude on that.

I assume you are talking about SWU's you already have because the new Regional ones won't work on that flight. You may want to make sure they won't require M min fare on that Route after Feb to use the old Certs

Yes. I plan to only book fares that will ensure I reach GM for 2015 with MQMs and MQDs. I will not be amex exempt this year so I need to spend $.10 com for GM.

That said I'm not booking up to a H/Q/K fare just a higher fare to reach MQDs. Perhaps this was Virginia Ave's plan all along.

Case in point. Just booked leisure travel to JFK-PHX for early Feb. X and V fares were available at $250 price point. But I booked T/U fares which was $400 ai.

Doubt this will do much for me by way of upgrades but it does help some.

That said. If GM is as worthless in 2015 as it is now. I will abandon delta and start flying the cheapest carrier. CC's will get me free bags to check and I'm a small guy so priority seating is not worth the status cost.

Yes, the old ones (have 1 more left that expires March 1). I'm also considering selecting SWU's as my PM choice benefit for 2014 status (earned from flying last year). SWU's are still available until Feb 28 and will go by the old rules. They get phased out in a year so I doubt DL will go through the trouble to change their terms & conditions to affect people who already selected them.

The alternative is to get the regional upgrades which can be used on any fare but not trans cons. It's a tough choice since I'm dropping to PM this year and domestic upgrades won't be as frequent.

Why not book lowest fare available when booking economy and spend the extra money to book A or G for one or two trips this year? That way you spend the same amount and only slightly decrease your upgrade chances on the majority of your flights (only matters if the last seat goes to e.g., a PM on a T and you're on an X), but you also get some flights where you are guaranteed First. This was my plan until I decided to pick up the Delta Platinum card and move some spending plus MS to it to make the waiver.