Anyone else a slave to the upgrade list?
May 20, 2022, 6:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 44
Anyone else a slave to the upgrade list?
JFK-LAX Sunday. 764, 24 seats available...downgraded to non PS 763...18 seats...then 6 days out...12 seats...5 days...8 seats...3 days...4 seats...and now T-24, 1 seat. I can't believe how many of these last minute D1 fares get gobbled up. Clearly revenue management knows something I don't..
May 20, 2022, 6:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HHonrs Diamond
Posts: 1,336
JFK-LAX Sunday. 764, 24 seats available...downgraded to non PS 763...18 seats...then 6 days out...12 seats...5 days...8 seats...3 days...4 seats...and now T-24, 1 seat. I can't believe how many of these last minute D1 fares get gobbled up. Clearly revenue management knows something I don't..
Did you see a cash op-up offer that was significantly less than the fare difference?
May 21, 2022, 2:54 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
I never assume or rely on upgrades on transcon D1 routes. I’ve had success with GUC, but if I want to sit up front I pay for it. DL’s revenue management has done a good job over the years of training me to pay for F/D1. I’d say it’s now half the flights I fly. Years ago I had a DM ask me how I got a first class seat when he was sitting I coach and I bluntly told him “you can pay for these seats”. (He saw my PM tag on my backpack.)
In my experience this year, planes are full, F is full, upgrade lists are long with few gate upgrades. I think FCM is working.
In my experience this year, planes are full, F is full, upgrade lists are long with few gate upgrades. I think FCM is working.
May 21, 2022, 3:53 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 44
Unfortunately paid D one transcon is not in my budget.
But someone explain this one to me. A few hours ago, my flight got switched to a 76L. It went from six rows of D1 to nine. All of a sudden I’m number two on the list with nine seats available and sitting pretty.
Three hours later they are all gone and availability is once again zero.
But someone explain this one to me. A few hours ago, my flight got switched to a 76L. It went from six rows of D1 to nine. All of a sudden I’m number two on the list with nine seats available and sitting pretty.
Three hours later they are all gone and availability is once again zero.
May 21, 2022, 4:16 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,237
Showing #2 on the list does not mean you are second in line for the upgrade. That list is only used by the gate agent shortly prior to departure. For a flight tomorrow, the upgrades would be cleared on the back end based on the published priority order, regardless of whether the passenger has checked in. You only go on the web/app standby list once you've checked in. So seems lots of higher priority elites that were cleared by a sweep.
(Or less likely, another flight tomorrow was canceled and they accommodated those pax in the larger cabin.)
(Or less likely, another flight tomorrow was canceled and they accommodated those pax in the larger cabin.)
May 21, 2022, 4:44 pm
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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There can also be SDCs onto the flight from customers with premium cabin tickets or others could have taken FCM offers.
Most of us expect to move down on the upgrade list we see as departure time approaches, due to others checking in. As a DM with a Reserve card on two or three hour domestic FC flights, I'm relatively happy if I end up as #1 or #2.
Most of us expect to move down on the upgrade list we see as departure time approaches, due to others checking in. As a DM with a Reserve card on two or three hour domestic FC flights, I'm relatively happy if I end up as #1 or #2.
May 22, 2022, 5:47 pm
#10
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
LAX/SFO and NYC (JFK/EWR) are two of the most competitive domestic routes. It is par for the course seats get scooped up last minute, even at thousands of dollars.
May 24, 2022, 2:36 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 44
That’s brutal. But how did this one happen? I’m at LAX, #1 on list for 2 seats at T-70 (minutes). I check at t-60, and now they’re both gone. I’m still #1.
I know, WFBF but that was a big letdown. I wonder if that could have only been a SDC?
I know, WFBF but that was a big letdown. I wonder if that could have only been a SDC?
May 24, 2022, 11:18 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,237
It very easily could have been a SDC, there are no fare class restrictions for paid premium cabin tickets. Also maybe either an upgrade offer or someone just up-faring.
Also - the # of seats shown on the upgrade list screen does NOT reflect the number of seats actually available - it's only the number of un-assigned seats. So flight could have been full even at T-70 and those last 2 seats were assigned when those pax checked in right before the cut-off.
Also - the # of seats shown on the upgrade list screen does NOT reflect the number of seats actually available - it's only the number of un-assigned seats. So flight could have been full even at T-70 and those last 2 seats were assigned when those pax checked in right before the cut-off.