The Definitive A Fare, P Fare, D Fare and I Fare Thread
Dec 1, 2008, 12:40 pm
#271
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: MOB / PNS / GPT
Programs: DL Gold Hopefully be DL nothing in 1 more year / Hertz Something / Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 838
I just started reading the delta forum recently after I found a cheap A fare from PHL-ATL-SNA. So I am unfamiliar with the A fare controversy.
What is the "trick" to not losing your first class seat if a situation occurs where a GA is trying to put you in coach. Just be adamant that you are not willing to sit in coach?
What is the "trick" to not losing your first class seat if a situation occurs where a GA is trying to put you in coach. Just be adamant that you are not willing to sit in coach?
Until a major class action suit doesn't occur (and no I'm not going to start one since I don't buy A fares) DL will continue to do this.
Dec 1, 2008, 12:43 pm
#272
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa
Programs: NW Platinum, NW Gold for '09
Posts: 1,267
Yet the fare rules clearly state, from a TPA-ATL MUPRF fare basis:
APPLICATION RULE
NORMAL FARES
APPLICATION
CLASS OF SERVICE
THESE FARES APPLY FOR FIRST/BUSINESS/COACH CLASS
SERVICE.
So if you book this M class fare and A space is available you get A class. If you book and M class is the lowest available and A class is not available you get the same fare but are booked in M class. Am I missing something?
APPLICATION RULE
NORMAL FARES
APPLICATION
CLASS OF SERVICE
THESE FARES APPLY FOR FIRST/BUSINESS/COACH CLASS
SERVICE.
So if you book this M class fare and A space is available you get A class. If you book and M class is the lowest available and A class is not available you get the same fare but are booked in M class. Am I missing something?
Dec 1, 2008, 12:45 pm
#273
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gulf Coast/Ventura County/Somewhere in between
Programs: DL GM, Marriott PP, Avis Something or other
Posts: 4,431
I booked a promo F fare on NWA.com, all flights on DL metal. Made sure I printed out the itinerary showing booking class "F", since the fare was less than half what DL was charging on the same itinerary for A fares. I don't anticipate any problems, but eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and all that...
Dec 1, 2008, 12:51 pm
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still PAL Premier Elite & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 25,419
There really is no trick, if they want to move you they can. The A fare rules state it's a coach ticket with an upgrade. If you find yourself in that situation, you can raise holy hell, but then you may get yourself on the no fly list also. Personally I have never ran into the situation but have heard alot about it. If you can take screen shots of what your are buying (A fare listed as First Class) then take them to small claims court over it.
Until a major class action suit doesn't occur (and no I'm not going to start one since I don't buy A fares) DL will continue to do this.
Until a major class action suit doesn't occur (and no I'm not going to start one since I don't buy A fares) DL will continue to do this.
The scam will probably continue until somebody sues them.
Dec 1, 2008, 12:59 pm
#275
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 103
Very Interesting. So if you want to guarantee yourself a first class seat, how is that done on Delta.com? I was under the impression that I choose "first class" and pay hundreds more for my ticket. I can't imagine paying $300 more for my ticket and not being able to fly first class. How can I prevent that?
Dec 1, 2008, 1:03 pm
#276
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: MOB / PNS / GPT
Programs: DL Gold Hopefully be DL nothing in 1 more year / Hertz Something / Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 838
Very Interesting. So if you want to guarantee yourself a first class seat, how is that done on Delta.com? I was under the impression that I choose "first class" and pay hundreds more for my ticket. I can't imagine paying $300 more for my ticket and not being able to fly first class. How can I prevent that?
Dec 1, 2008, 1:07 pm
#277
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,124
This is truly shameful. These fares appear quite explicitly to the end user as paid first class. Were it not for FlyerTalk, I wouldn't have imagined otherwise.
Dec 1, 2008, 1:11 pm
#279
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,124
Dec 1, 2008, 1:11 pm
#280
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: MOB / PNS / GPT
Programs: DL Gold Hopefully be DL nothing in 1 more year / Hertz Something / Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 838
Goto full search option and pick fare class or higher. If it still doesn't show any F, then it's upto you to pick the A fare but just let this thread come to your mind IF and IF something does come up at the airport.
It sucks, I know it does, but what can you do?
It sucks, I know it does, but what can you do?
Dec 1, 2008, 1:16 pm
#281
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 103
So let's say I pay the $500, what could happen to move me into coach? I have no status so if a high status wants a free upgrade to first would I be a higher priority since I paid more or would they?
I can't imagine paying $300 more and then being moved to coach, unbelievable.
Dec 1, 2008, 1:18 pm
#282
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: DL FO...ex-PM, GM...does it really even matter these days? LOL...
Posts: 1,248
FWIW, I purchased A fares exclusively for 3-4 years to/from LAX and never once had an issue. While I don't doubt that it can happen, I think the chances are slim.
Dec 1, 2008, 1:27 pm
#283
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Florida - Delta Charter DM/3.3MM; Lifetime SPG Plat; HH Gold;
Posts: 1,789
It happens more frequently than you would think, especially if you misconnect on a Friday afternoon due to a weather delay. I used to always buy "A" class fares to insure a FC seat on busy Friday afternoons. Now tht I have been burnt more than a few times, I play the upgrade game and usually STILL sit in FC, but paying less money. It is Delta's loss of income for someone like me when they have this absurd policy. Years ago, an "A" Class seat REMAINED a FC seat. Too bad that is no longer true!
Dec 1, 2008, 2:12 pm
#284
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Anaheim, CA - Delta Platinum Medallion,Sky Team Elite Plus, American Airlines Platinum, OneWorld - Emerald, EK-Skywards Gold, VS Flying Club, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold. Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum, Intercontinental Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 547
I always buy the A fare and have never had a problem, even with a weather delay. In fact, my last weather delay involved me being re-booked twice. When i checked in at the MCO Crown Room, as soon as I had sat down, I was paged to come to the reception desk. I was told about the delay and I was re-booked on the next flight in "A" space. When the realization hit that my ATL-SNA flight would be a mis-connect, the Crown Room staff re-booked me on the next flight in "F" space.
Dec 1, 2008, 2:25 pm
#285
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: DL FO...ex-PM, GM...does it really even matter these days? LOL...
Posts: 1,248
I always buy the A fare and have never had a problem, even with a weather delay. In fact, my last weather delay involved me being re-booked twice. When i checked in at the MCO Crown Room, as soon as I had sat down, I was paged to come to the reception desk. I was told about the delay and I was re-booked on the next flight in "A" space. When the realization hit that my ATL-SNA flight would be a mis-connect, the Crown Room staff re-booked me on the next flight in "F" space.
I think this is precisely it. If you are booked in A and mis-connect, you should be re-booked in A or F if it is available. Obviously, if neither is available, you are re-booked in Y or you can wait a few days til there is a flight with A availability.
Does anyone have experiences to the contrary?