Can I purchase a higher first class fare?
Nov 6, 2018, 5:15 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: Delta DM / 1M, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 119
Can I purchase a higher first class fare?
I'm about $300 short of making the Diamond MQDs for next year. 
I knew it was going to be close and have 3 remaining flights this year - and purchased them as a first class + refundable ticket to get some additional MQDs.
So I am already booked in P and D class - but can I call Delta and upgrade to a "higher" Fare class to spend another $300?
I knew it was going to be close and have 3 remaining flights this year - and purchased them as a first class + refundable ticket to get some additional MQDs.
So I am already booked in P and D class - but can I call Delta and upgrade to a "higher" Fare class to spend another $300?
Nov 6, 2018, 5:20 pm
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: Delta DM / 1M, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 119
I was thinking the same thing - but when I go to Delta.com and try to force a search + price for F fare - the results still returns a lower First class + Refundable fare.
I'm guessing Delta rep can force a higher fare ticket?
I'm guessing Delta rep can force a higher fare ticket?
Nov 6, 2018, 5:32 pm
#6
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And if you sort by price, the highest fares aren't showing F? I just tried DTW-MCO. Sure, G and P fares were presented -- but so was F at the end of a long list of itins.
Nov 6, 2018, 6:00 pm
#9
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I see what you mean, I'm unable to get it to provide more options on the nonstop, actually now I am, you just need to check the refundable box on the search page or upgrade to flexible after selecting one of the fares below.
If you try to make a new booking, after selecting a Z, D, or I it will offer an upgrade to flexible first class for your $370 figure.
EF shows a lot of filed fares in your sweetspot (and others that aren't, like a full F fare $9576), I would probably call.
If you try to make a new booking, after selecting a Z, D, or I it will offer an upgrade to flexible first class for your $370 figure.
EF shows a lot of filed fares in your sweetspot (and others that aren't, like a full F fare $9576), I would probably call.
Last edited by jerry a. laska; Nov 6, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Nov 6, 2018, 6:06 pm
#10
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Could this also be a bit confusing since DL has decided to market their domestic FC flights as business class, so that F P A G is turning into J C D I Z? Maybe the OP needs to look for J instead of F. This seems to already be happening for the segment in D class.
OTOH maybe the logic of the delta.dumb search process is to return refundable P fares when available instead of F since the only difference seems to be that F is last seat availability.
OTOH maybe the logic of the delta.dumb search process is to return refundable P fares when available instead of F since the only difference seems to be that F is last seat availability.
Nov 6, 2018, 7:56 pm
#12
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Could this also be a bit confusing since DL has decided to market their domestic FC flights as business class, so that F P A G is turning into J C D I Z? Maybe the OP needs to look for J instead of F. This seems to already be happening for the segment in D class.
OTOH maybe the logic of the delta.dumb search process is to return refundable P fares when available instead of F since the only difference seems to be that F is last seat availability.
OTOH maybe the logic of the delta.dumb search process is to return refundable P fares when available instead of F since the only difference seems to be that F is last seat availability.
Nov 6, 2018, 9:27 pm
#13
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I saw some discussion of this here very recently, but I don't know if there's some date at which this becomes effective. It could just apply to future ticket sales for travel after some date, or DL could plan to reissue tickets using the business class fare codes if travel is scheduled beyond the magic date. I would predict that the latter will happen so that eventiually the flight would have all passengers on the same fare class system.
The argument is that this will clarify that DL's domestic FC isn't like D1 and is lower than domestic D1 on the few routes that offer this. IIRC AA is doing something similar on its domestic flights without separate domestic FC and domestic business class cabins.
The argument is that this will clarify that DL's domestic FC isn't like D1 and is lower than domestic D1 on the few routes that offer this. IIRC AA is doing something similar on its domestic flights without separate domestic FC and domestic business class cabins.
Nov 6, 2018, 9:49 pm
#14
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I saw some discussion of this here very recently, but I don't know if there's some date at which this becomes effective. It could just apply to future ticket sales for travel after some date, or DL could plan to reissue tickets using the business class fare codes if travel is scheduled beyond the magic date. I would predict that the latter will happen so that eventiually the flight would have all passengers on the same fare class system.
The argument is that this will clarify that DL's domestic FC isn't like D1 and is lower than domestic D1 on the few routes that offer this. IIRC AA is doing something similar on its domestic flights without separate domestic FC and domestic business class cabins.
The argument is that this will clarify that DL's domestic FC isn't like D1 and is lower than domestic D1 on the few routes that offer this. IIRC AA is doing something similar on its domestic flights without separate domestic FC and domestic business class cabins.
I'm not aware of any plans to do this systemwide, but that doesn't mean I don't believe you.
AA did this already maybe a year ago. The only flights sold with F (and sub-class A) inventory are the international/transcontinental 4/3-class flights with "real" first class. Otherwise, all premium cabins on 2-class flights, domestic and international, are sold with business inventories (J/D/I), although they are still referred to as "First class" on confirmations, by gate agents, etc. I think one of the motivating factors was related to the inventory class used for upgrades, and the switch made it easier for AA to meaningfully restrict mileage/SWU upgrades on domestic flights, which previously had been very very easy. I doubt that's relevant for DL.