The Official “I Got Upgraded” Thread: JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA
Mar 4, 2014, 11:29 am
#91
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL DM, National Executive, SPG Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 263
Will be watching this thread closely. Very curious how empty/full BE will be over time, or what the buy-up scenarios start looking it. If Delta hit me up with a $200 buy up the day of recognizing fare class and status as a tie breaker, I'd probably spend the money.
Mar 4, 2014, 11:32 am
#92
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
Something to consider for mileage upgrades:
the cost of 12.5 (or even 25k) miles is currently fairly easy to swallow - as a DM on a single $300 JFK-SFO transcon you can earn the one-way upgrade fee (12.5 miles). Good value proposition.
With the revenue-based system, the same 12.5K miles will take you roughly four of those flights if you are not using the amex card. There is little incentive to pay anything between the lowest coach and lowest biz fare either - not like it would increase your chances of an upgrade.
The product is sure nice and I have appreciated all the times I was able to ride up front (which has been mostly always since 2008), paid, miled, SWUd, and comped.
But, I cannot see myself paying such a premium for a relatively short flight come 2015.
the cost of 12.5 (or even 25k) miles is currently fairly easy to swallow - as a DM on a single $300 JFK-SFO transcon you can earn the one-way upgrade fee (12.5 miles). Good value proposition.
With the revenue-based system, the same 12.5K miles will take you roughly four of those flights if you are not using the amex card. There is little incentive to pay anything between the lowest coach and lowest biz fare either - not like it would increase your chances of an upgrade.
The product is sure nice and I have appreciated all the times I was able to ride up front (which has been mostly always since 2008), paid, miled, SWUd, and comped.
But, I cannot see myself paying such a premium for a relatively short flight come 2015.
Mar 4, 2014, 11:56 am
#93
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Enn Why Cee
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Posts: 1,570
Mar 4, 2014, 11:32 pm
#94
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC and LAX
Programs: Fly paid F/J. DL 2MM+.
Posts: 109
I have directed the vast majority of my domestic flying to AA from DL. All of my flying is in J or F.
From time to time I fly other airlines when my clients book the travel to take advantage of their negotiated rates. This evening I flew BE JFK-SFO on Delta. The vibe has definitely changed -- from upgrade class to non-rev class. During boarding the woman sitting next to me was gloating to the guy in front of me how nice it was now. Obvious both were non-revs based on the conversation. Very classy.
Good luck Delta in your aspirations to make domestic BE "exclusive" and to continue to "monetize" the front cabin in your efforts to attract "HVC's." You have great frontline staff but know absolutely nothing about attracting and retaining customers that maximize your margins.
From time to time I fly other airlines when my clients book the travel to take advantage of their negotiated rates. This evening I flew BE JFK-SFO on Delta. The vibe has definitely changed -- from upgrade class to non-rev class. During boarding the woman sitting next to me was gloating to the guy in front of me how nice it was now. Obvious both were non-revs based on the conversation. Very classy.
Good luck Delta in your aspirations to make domestic BE "exclusive" and to continue to "monetize" the front cabin in your efforts to attract "HVC's." You have great frontline staff but know absolutely nothing about attracting and retaining customers that maximize your margins.
Mar 4, 2014, 11:47 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
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I assume you mean 25K miles. Most of the seats are flat now...but still, most often I would not pay this many miles. Maybe one way on a west-->east redeye for a flat bed. I did once pay it for TLV-JFK in a recliner seat and was glad I did. My point is just that I would not be surprised if the mileage upgrade started to be priced like other international routes.
As of today:
SFO-JFK has 5 flights daily, all 752's, 0 flat beds
SEA-JFK has 3 flights daily, all 752's, 0 flat beds
LAX-JFK has 7 flights, two of those are 752's with 0 flat beds
So unless you fly LAX-JFK you likely won't have FB's, and even with the LAX flights there is still a 28% change you won't have a plane with one.
Mar 5, 2014, 12:29 am
#96
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
Onboard today I read the new March issue of Delta's in-flight Sky Magazine.
For how much they are just boasting about their vicious attack on the Seattle market I can't fathom why they would take complimentary UGs away on ANY of the routes out of SEA.
What business tactic is represented by taking something away from a new market you are trying to conquer???
Doesn't Seattle have many great options in other airlines for JFK routes?
Although NOT SEA, my brother just booked a PDX-JFK trip in Y today on JetBlue for April. He knows my affinity for all things Delta but JetBlue had a better schedule and was cheaper. I haven't been on JetBlue, but they are a decent option for transcon, no?
For how much they are just boasting about their vicious attack on the Seattle market I can't fathom why they would take complimentary UGs away on ANY of the routes out of SEA.
What business tactic is represented by taking something away from a new market you are trying to conquer???
Doesn't Seattle have many great options in other airlines for JFK routes?
Although NOT SEA, my brother just booked a PDX-JFK trip in Y today on JetBlue for April. He knows my affinity for all things Delta but JetBlue had a better schedule and was cheaper. I haven't been on JetBlue, but they are a decent option for transcon, no?
Mar 5, 2014, 12:39 am
#97
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
The vibe has definitely changed -- from upgrade class to non-rev class. During boarding the woman sitting next to me was gloating to the guy in front of me how nice it was now. Obvious both were non-revs based on the conversation. Very classy.
Mar 5, 2014, 12:49 am
#98
Suspended
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Location: HKG
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No no! The arrogant OPM paid J fliers have ASSURED us that transcon BE will become a quiet paradise where they will be fanned with palm fronds and fed grapes by nubile young virgins. Calgon, take me away!
Mar 5, 2014, 1:01 am
#99
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
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Mar 5, 2014, 9:10 am
#101
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Really?
As of today:
SFO-JFK has 5 flights daily, all 752's, 0 flat beds
SEA-JFK has 3 flights daily, all 752's, 0 flat beds
LAX-JFK has 7 flights, two of those are 752's with 0 flat beds
So unless you fly LAX-JFK you likely won't have FB's, and even with the LAX flights there is still a 28% change you won't have a plane with one.
As of today:
SFO-JFK has 5 flights daily, all 752's, 0 flat beds
SEA-JFK has 3 flights daily, all 752's, 0 flat beds
LAX-JFK has 7 flights, two of those are 752's with 0 flat beds
So unless you fly LAX-JFK you likely won't have FB's, and even with the LAX flights there is still a 28% change you won't have a plane with one.
Good point, I was not thinking about SFO and SEA, as I am LAX based. Maybe we will see a shift in how they handle this when they add more flat bed service on the other two transcons.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:01 am
#103
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO, SJC
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Mar 5, 2014, 11:13 am
#104
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
I don't think the Westin Heavenly Bedding is actually special enough to attract a bunch of HVCs to pay $2000 or more to sit in a plain old FC section.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:41 am
#105
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
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Posts: 5,108
Haha, I made this reference in a meeting a few weeks ago and then we all felt old.