IAN-UK

You're suggesting regular posters will go off in a huff? I've yet to see evidence of this. I think the reasons for posting are complex, and probably have little to do with altruism or give-and-take fairness, but more concern our naturally competitive spirit and the joy of recognition as successful fare-finders.

I think this might be aimed at specific posters, and I'm not entirely sure what you mean.

And "bad news" is relative. Recent ill-fated but high-profile legal claims aimed at making hay out of mistake fares are likely to have a far more deleterious impact on us. They have led legislators to reconsider their approach to consumer protection in air transport. To my thinking, that is a greater concern than who publishes what and in which forum.

Global321

I am the first to admit I do not post fares in the premium area often, but, now, I do not think I will bother. Sure, you are only losing a few posts a year from me. But, I think (but do not know) there are a lot of us infrequent posters. So when you add it up, you loses hundreds. Does it matter? I do not know.

I do not think anyone has clearly articulated the need for this change, other than change for the sake of change.

Personally, I think a few people requested it and it was approved without real thought. (Why not post the question to the subscribers of the thread first?)

But, I am also not passionate about it. It was fine/good the way it was. I do not see me posting in the new format. But, I alone am not a great loss.

IMH

Just in case other posters haven't provided sufficient reassurance: no one has suggested that economy fares should have any place in the premium fare deals sub-forum.

If anyone is confused: "premium economy" does not include products such as UA's "Economy Plus" that consist of standard economy/coach seats with a little extra leg room. The strongest premium economy products stand comparison with lower end business class products (including much domestic 'First' in the US).

Premium economy deals can also be of interest to people seeking status miles/points -- and on at least one airline a premium economy fare can be the basis for an inexpensive upgrade into business class using miles (BA: upgrade using Avios).

I'd rather assess a position on its merits than buy into that kind of 'logic'.

IAN-UK

I hope you will continue posting. It would be a shame to lose your contributions simply because of relatively small changes to your chosen channel for communication.

Global321

I think this is a pretty big change. Before, you could scan the thread easily to see all the deals and the conditions. Now, it is quite time consuming.


But, you are right, I should/will try to post what I can find for the greater good.

IMH

I'm actually finding it faster, so far -- I know that I'm not interested in SkyTeam at the moment, for example, so I simply don't open certain threads (but can still quickly note the routes that are being posted and be on the look out for fare wars).

^ I hope you do. ^

Calchas

I'm coming around actually. It is a lot faster than reading the old thread. Whether that will remain the same when we have hundreds of fares, I don't know.

Dieuwer

What needs to be happening fast are posting guidelines, especially for titles. The forum is quickly becoming cluttered with confusing titles.
How about this format:

XX: O-D $xxx (P/J/F), RT/OW

With XX the airline code, O-D origin and destination, $xxx the all-in fare, (P/J/F) the fare basis code, and finally specify return or one-way.

Renes Points

My problem with the old bad thread was the endless chatter and searching for a Skyteam deal. I don't care about BA or OW folks prattling on and on about some deal I will never fly no matter how good it is.

This new one WORKS!^

MSPeconomist

My suggestion would be to put both the cabin class (premium, business, or first--is it necessary to specify suites for any carrier that might have distinct first and suites products being offered?) as well as the fare class into the thread title. It's nice to see the fare class instantly because if you use a particular FF program a lot, you're likely to know immediately what the fare class (usually a single letter, such as G A P or F for FC on DL) means in terms of status miles and redeemable miles earnings.(The specific fare code isn't needed in the thread title, but should probably appear in the text of the first post if it's available.)

Kacee

I personally found the old thread very difficult to follow due to all the peripheral chatter. Thumbs up to the change.

Seriously what's up with that? I mean, how hard is it to check ITA? Can we just ban stupid questions?

SkiAdcock

I was chatting with a FTer today and mentioned I didn't follow the megathread because it was confusing/I had to drill down multiple levels. But now that premium deals are in separate threads' it's easier for me to follow. Can I take advantage of all the premium deals; of course not. But there are some that are within a reasonable price range over what I'd be paying in economy that it would be a brainer to book them, so I'll subscribe to the forum. I'm talking J, not PE. A d from what I can tell these aren't' t mistake fares, but legit deals that may have limited inventory.

Cheers

OverThereTooMuch

This is the internet. Good luck with that.

BTW, following your own guidelines, I don't think your post would be allowed.

Kacee

Indeed. You've proven the point

Q Shoe Guy

Hooray ! Thanks talkboard ^ ! Now if this would have taken place a decade ago.....