ATLawyer

This is 100% WRONG. Changeable fares are for date differences. SDC/SDS are for day of differences. They are ENTIRELY different concepts--whether you need to change the flight from this week to next week (or even today to tomorrow) is an entirely different problem than having a meeting run an hour late or an hour short.

For example, even now if you by a NON-CHANGEABLE fare (e.g. a SLUT fare) you can still SDC or SDC for the $50 fee, not for $200. However, if you have to change the days of your flight (i did this last month because my date changed by a week) you have to pay the $200 change fee +/- fare difference

On the topic of people "gaming" the SDC system--I guarantee you Delta makes more money off the businessmen like me buying FCM fares instead of cheapest economy because we want the guaranteed flexibility to get home early/late if our meeting goes long/short versus the "gamers" who buy ATL-DTW-LAX to SDC ATL-JFK-LAX.

Often1

You may believe that refundable/changeable fares are only for date changes, but that is a function of SDC and was never like that before this happened.

SDC cannibalizes the flexible brand and that's bad for the short term, the long term and the guy with the full fare ticket who can't get on a flight because it's been filled with SDC's from el cheapo fares.

davetravels

In regard to getting bad info from agents - - and in this case, even after I escalated to a supv . . . .

I was flying PIT/BKK/PIT. On the way back, I was overnighting in LA, then LAX/JFK/PIT the next day. Cheap ($1200 V class) ticket upgraded via GUC . . . .

I had a 4 hour layover at JFK, so, I wanted to do a SDC after I got into LA from NRT to a later LAX/JFK flight to hava shorter layover. Here's what ensued . . . .

1) Fiasco #1 - Arrived in LA - after Customs, I was at about T-21 hours. I called the DM line, and the agent couldn't do it, she said . . . .

#1, because the BKK/NRT/LAX flights hadn't posted yet. - AND -

#2, my V class originally purchased wasn't available.

Her exact words - - "YOU HAVE A LOT GOIN ON HERE!!!"

#2 Fiasco - I escalated to a supv.

The segments are married, and, an F UG isn't available on JFK/PIT, and V class isn't available, so, I can't do it.

I told her that, if she looks at my fare breakdown, she'd see that, in actuality, I was on 2 separate fares: PIT/NYC nested within NYC/BKK.

She said: I'm looking at it right now, and you're NOT on 2 separate fares!!

Here's my fare breakdown - You guyz tell me:

Fare Details: PIT DL NYC109.30VE21A0NQ DL X/LAX DL X/TYO DL BKK 5M243.60VLW0ZPAX DL X/TYO DL X/LAX DL X/MSP DL NYC 5M164.85VLX0ZPAX DL PIT109.30VE21A0NQ NUC627.05END

Eventually - she did it . . . . . "As a courtesy"!!!

(I was originally booked LAX/MSP/LGA/PIT, but due to schedule changes, I got it changed to LAX/JFK/PIT)

jrl767

I for one tend to believe you (even though you should have said "short/long" to correspond to "early/late" ) ... but again, relative to the universe of DL passengers, I think the FT community disproportionately consists of those who enjoy relating how they have "worked the system to their benefit"

jrl767

wow ... just wow

glad you got the result you were after, but that's nutz

MSPeconomist

I SDCed about a week ago on a G A P fare without any issues or argument. The Chisholm agent was well aware that I only needed a FC seat, not some particular fare class inventory. Quick and easy!

clr4t8koff

So here's a question:

I have a trip coming up BOS-LAX in F. This trip was $985 r/t and the connection through JFK in D1 was $1300 r/t. I plan 24-hours in advance to call and inquire about SDC via JFK if there are seats open.

So - Am I less valuable to DL and still considered a "gamer" since I paid $315 less than the actual J ticket through JFK even though those open seats will go to the passengers who paid ~$300-$400 r/t and are burning a RUC to upgrade into one of those last remaining J seats when I paid 2-3x as much?

krlcomm

Never a problem w/ A or P. It was a G fare and I was told that my fare had an economy fare basis w/ an automatic upgrade. I'm assuming that this only applies to G? I SDC A and P all the time (pretty much every week at least once) and have never had an issue so I just assumed it was the G fare. Probably off base w/ that assumption as I don't follow these things very closely...

bubbashow

Good morning clearedforteightkoff...I think that 300-400 is a huge assumption on your part. You are absolutely a gamer. You are removing a seat from inventory in DLOne that has a 2220 walkup fare each way (and there is a ton of last-minute traffic on that route). If you want lie flat.....buy lie flat. I really hope DL is changing this. The stories of folks taking advantage of this loophole have gone on way too long.

bubbashow

But...there are flexible F fares for that. It has long been an argument by many on here that DL is devaluing the frequent flyer because F class is cheaper than Y. The argument is that the discounted F comes with restrictions. That is exactly true. If you want flexibility, there is a fare for that in both cabins.

clr4t8koff

Your response makes no sense. Have you looked at the r/t coach fares on BOS-LAX (12/12-12/15)....I'm not exaggerating or making any assumptions with my quoted prices. First do your due diligence before saying I'm making assumptions OR considering me a gamer. How am I negatively impacting the bottom line when these seats would have gone to instrument upgrades. I'm not flying on a highly traveled business day, it's a Saturday.

Furthermore - based on your explanation, you, Bubbashow, are a gamer then since you took away close in booking inventory on your flight to NRT with a mileage upgrade. I've purchased a premium cabin ticket. You did not.

DL2SXM

I use it all the time. Delta can easily squeeze more money out of DM's by implementing a CO-T charge. I am actually surprised they haven't done so already being the way things have been going lately.

bubbashow

I would say at north of 2400 one way, I paid more for my non-premium cabin upgraded ticket (using upgrade inventory that DL decided was available) than most did on discounted Z tickets. There is a BIG difference that you are ignoring cleared for teightk off......SDC in premium cabins allows any seat available...not an upgrade bucket that DL determines it can release. Therein lies the problem....you ARE taking away a seat that could be bought last minute and not necessarily going to an instrument upgrader. You can get that seat, the upgrader may not. Glad DL is catching on to the games.

rylan

So from that logic, anyone who doesn't pay the full walkup J fare is a gamer? If DL has a fare sale that someone takes advantage of, or grabs a good deal on a Z fare for D1 lay flat, they are taking a seat out of inventory that DL could sell for 2200 each way.

bubbashow

It doesn't matter the gamer explanation...it's changing....another door is closing....people will actually have to pay for the service they desire. Stomp and shout all you want, looks like these people will be losing.....and if there is Z availability the day of departure, no harm, no foul. '

I hope DL is distinguishing between FAGP and JDZI in the res system. Would make perfect sense and close a gaming loophole. Apply the same SDC rules for F as main cabin. Want flexibility? Buy a flexible fare.