FCM In Action - $50 to UG a $400 Coach Ticket
#76
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
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THIS
Earlier this year (to settle an argument with a friend) I posted here asking people how much they'd consider paying for a short flight (LGA->BUF) medium flight (DTW->MIA) or a longer flight (JFK->SFO).
Most people responded that they'd be willing to pay btw $0-25 for an upgrade on a short flight. So if Delta can get $50 for the seat it sounds like they're getting ABOVE the market price.
Earlier this year (to settle an argument with a friend) I posted here asking people how much they'd consider paying for a short flight (LGA->BUF) medium flight (DTW->MIA) or a longer flight (JFK->SFO).
Most people responded that they'd be willing to pay btw $0-25 for an upgrade on a short flight. So if Delta can get $50 for the seat it sounds like they're getting ABOVE the market price.
The example of an 800 mile flight is long enough that the additional space, drinks, snacks, etc. would be nice. Also, don't forget that a few routes under 900 miles do have meal service.
#77
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,897
But most people don't buy FC seats, nor are most of the seats on the plane in FC. What matters is how much a few people will pay, where how many are needed for "few" depends on how many open FC seats the flight has.
The example of an 800 mile flight is long enough that the additional space, drinks, snacks, etc. would be nice. Also, don't forget that a few routes under 900 miles do have meal service.
The example of an 800 mile flight is long enough that the additional space, drinks, snacks, etc. would be nice. Also, don't forget that a few routes under 900 miles do have meal service.
#78
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Programs: Delta DM / 1M, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, Emerald Club Exec
Posts: 500
I just booked a roundtrip from MSP to Seattle departing next Friday (7 days out). It's a same day turn as I only need to be in Seattle for a few hours. Base fare was $654 ($726 after taxes and fees). During booking, I was offered to upgrade to "Business Class" for $79 each way. I declined. After booking I accessed the trip in my profile and was offered to upgrade the entire trip for $111.
#79
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: XNA
Programs: Delta KM/DM, Hyatt GP Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 328
Are you talking an upgrade done via miles or RU/GU? For domestic trips it's my understanding that you can SDC on those as well which is another way people can game the system. If the flight you want doesn't inventory for miles/RU (not that a lot of flights do anyway) what's to stop someone from booking a less desirable flight and then SDCing into the flight they want 24 hours out?
I wouldn't put it past Delta to offer an "enhancement" at time of purchase where you can pay an extra charge and be giving bonus MQM's like they do with the RDM mileage boost and allow you to SDC providing there is an empty seat in coach.
I wouldn't put it past Delta to offer an "enhancement" at time of purchase where you can pay an extra charge and be giving bonus MQM's like they do with the RDM mileage boost and allow you to SDC providing there is an empty seat in coach.
#80
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: National Capitol Region
Programs: Delta Dirt Medallion,AA,USairways, WN Rapid Rewards, National Emerald Club
Posts: 3,912
Forget the meals, the meals suck. Inclusive luggage, reserved seating upfront, free drinks, and priority boarding is where it is at.
#81
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
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#82
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,045
Had my first experience of drastically reduced price for F today.
I'm flying 12/20 EWR-ATL-CHA returning 12/27 CHA-ATL-LGA. Booked U fare on outbound Q fare on return for $474 base fare. Booked about 28 days ago.
I have checked the upgrade to F price frequently on the DL web site and it has been consistently in the $650-$900 range to upgrade. Note that ATL-CHA both trips is a CRJ so we're only talking about upgrading the NYC-ATL portion of my trip.
Today I check the web site and now the upgrade price is $175 ai for round trip upgrade. 6 empty seats on outbound, 5 on return. I declined the offer.
Looks like at most one person has accepted delta's offer at this point (EWR-ATL has gone from 6 F open this morning to 5 when I look now).
I'm flying 12/20 EWR-ATL-CHA returning 12/27 CHA-ATL-LGA. Booked U fare on outbound Q fare on return for $474 base fare. Booked about 28 days ago.
I have checked the upgrade to F price frequently on the DL web site and it has been consistently in the $650-$900 range to upgrade. Note that ATL-CHA both trips is a CRJ so we're only talking about upgrading the NYC-ATL portion of my trip.
Today I check the web site and now the upgrade price is $175 ai for round trip upgrade. 6 empty seats on outbound, 5 on return. I declined the offer.
Looks like at most one person has accepted delta's offer at this point (EWR-ATL has gone from 6 F open this morning to 5 when I look now).
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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I'd say it's far more likely that someone snapped up an A/G/P fare on EWR-ATL-XXX, and that fare was completely independent of what DL may have been offering you to upgrade your already-purchased EWR-CHA
#84
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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I just booked a roundtrip from MSP to Seattle departing next Friday (7 days out). It's a same day turn as I only need to be in Seattle for a few hours. Base fare was $654 ($726 after taxes and fees). During booking, I was offered to upgrade to "Business Class" for $79 each way. I declined. After booking I accessed the trip in my profile and was offered to upgrade the entire trip for $111.
Sounds similar to haggling at a flea market. The shopper turns down the sellers "last, best, final offer" and starts to walk away.
Then the seller calls out "Wait... come back... let's talk some more."