50+ Diamonds onboard
Jan 8, 2018, 2:32 pm
#31
Used to be 'roachjl'
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL Platinum, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 322
Are FOs not allowed to pay for F? 
I remember a few years ago on AA there was a very long upgrade list and I was flying paid FC and boarded at the appropriate time. I was about 30 at the time but look younger and some guy standing next to the boarding lane asked the GA, "how did HIS upgrade clear?" whilst pointing at me. Pretty weird.
I remember a few years ago on AA there was a very long upgrade list and I was flying paid FC and boarded at the appropriate time. I was about 30 at the time but look younger and some guy standing next to the boarding lane asked the GA, "how did HIS upgrade clear?" whilst pointing at me. Pretty weird.
wow. The amount of assumption in that statement is staggering.
Jan 8, 2018, 2:49 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Well, what is infuriating is that the FO/no status passenger gets cheaper FCM upgrade options than DM... because DM are more likely to pay for it based on whatever computer algorithm they use to price them. So in a way, there may be some righteous indignation if the FO got a cheaper upgrade than was offered to the DM. 
Jan 8, 2018, 3:12 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Well, what is infuriating is that the FO/no status passenger gets cheaper FCM upgrade options than DM... because DM are more likely to pay for it based on whatever computer algorithm they use to price them. So in a way, there may be some righteous indignation if the FO got a cheaper upgrade than was offered to the DM.
Jan 8, 2018, 4:36 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,486
Gotcha, thanks for the explanation. ^ I don't spend much time in here...saw this thread as trending on MyFlyertalk
Jan 8, 2018, 6:09 pm
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
Huh? there are not infinite customers for DL to pull from (regardless that they think there is).
I am totally cool with a completely revenue based program - make the cut offs variable! make it so only the top x% of fliers get the special treatment!
Of course the implications of that is that nearly everyone on FT will become a free agent. No longer will we be looking to waste money on mileage runs to maintain status.
All the airlines are now in a position where they can't really cut much else since we are all accustomed to being treated a certain way. But they have the issue that a large number of people are flying more and as a result there is a disproportionate number of flyers who sit at a higher level of status. Of course as soon as they cut that status we alter our behavior. Since there are no unprofitable airline customers (just customers that are more profitable) and air travel is cyclical they can't afford to mess with us too much. and which customer is more profitable anyway? The person flying a lot right now? or the steady flier - the one that flies all the time consistently (even in down turns).
The only thing they handed out that was even remotely revenue generating was the upgrades. Guess what? They still did that by revenue. So what exactly s the thinning doing? You won't get upgrades - that is already apparent. I am curious - do you worry you will have to wait a nano-second more on the diamond line? Or is there something else that you are not getting now that you think you will get later?
If this is just fliers thinking they are better than other fliers because those other fliers are not as "pure" as you then the original comment of DYKWIA is completely accurate.
I am totally cool with a completely revenue based program - make the cut offs variable! make it so only the top x% of fliers get the special treatment!
Of course the implications of that is that nearly everyone on FT will become a free agent. No longer will we be looking to waste money on mileage runs to maintain status.
All the airlines are now in a position where they can't really cut much else since we are all accustomed to being treated a certain way. But they have the issue that a large number of people are flying more and as a result there is a disproportionate number of flyers who sit at a higher level of status. Of course as soon as they cut that status we alter our behavior. Since there are no unprofitable airline customers (just customers that are more profitable) and air travel is cyclical they can't afford to mess with us too much. and which customer is more profitable anyway? The person flying a lot right now? or the steady flier - the one that flies all the time consistently (even in down turns).
The only thing they handed out that was even remotely revenue generating was the upgrades. Guess what? They still did that by revenue. So what exactly s the thinning doing? You won't get upgrades - that is already apparent. I am curious - do you worry you will have to wait a nano-second more on the diamond line? Or is there something else that you are not getting now that you think you will get later?
If this is just fliers thinking they are better than other fliers because those other fliers are not as "pure" as you then the original comment of DYKWIA is completely accurate.
Jan 8, 2018, 7:27 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Jan 8, 2018, 7:41 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: At the moment? ...
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 377
I would buy up more frequently if I ever got those offers. Mine generally look like the IAD-ATL-SJC on 1/18 for $557, or a single leg like IAD-ATL for $250. No thanks.
Jan 8, 2018, 7:42 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
Jan 8, 2018, 7:52 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA
Posts: 85
This is what I see too - big bucks for a two-hour flight. In 2016, as a complete zero, an utter nobody, I got an offer for $285 on KLM for AMS-SFO on the 747. Given there were upper deck seats open, I didn't think twice about it.
Last edited by OroroT; Jan 8, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Jan 8, 2018, 10:04 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 894
Airlines don't want the higher value frequent flyers to become free agents because then price elasticity would become greater and people who buy reasonably expensive tickets would no longer necessarily book with DL but would compare price and quality offerings of different carriers.