is there such a thing as a "BUP" fare?
Feb 24, 2003 | 1:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Săo Paulo
Programs: DL DM, 1MM AA PLT 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, and...Smiles Diamante
Posts: 2,811
is there such a thing as a "BUP" fare?
Is there such a thing as a “BUP” (I guess I really meant CUP, or JUP...) type fare for international travel – I know that some carriers offer a full coach (or reduced/adv. purchase coach) upgrade type fare domestically, and I’m wondering if any carriers offer a business class fare that provides an upgrade to first class.
I understand that the “top-tier” carriers wouldn’t have a vested interest in doing this, but you’d think that the “second-tier” carriers might consider offering such a fare type since:
--Their first class fares may be lower than top tier carriers’ business class fares anyway [e.g., SFO-PVG American (4194-5617 for J), Philippine Airlines (4788 for F), China Eastern (5344 for F)
--Many business travelers are restricted to Business Class (v. First) for international travel.
Mind you, I’m not planning on go via Manila to go to Shanghai anytime soon, but I’m still curious if any carriers have launched something of the sort.
I'm not trying to make the case the First Class on some of the second-tier carriers is necessarily better than Business on the big boys so don't assault me on that front...I'm just curious if there are any fares of the sort out there.
[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited 02-24-2003).]
I understand that the “top-tier” carriers wouldn’t have a vested interest in doing this, but you’d think that the “second-tier” carriers might consider offering such a fare type since:
--Their first class fares may be lower than top tier carriers’ business class fares anyway [e.g., SFO-PVG American (4194-5617 for J), Philippine Airlines (4788 for F), China Eastern (5344 for F)
--Many business travelers are restricted to Business Class (v. First) for international travel.
Mind you, I’m not planning on go via Manila to go to Shanghai anytime soon, but I’m still curious if any carriers have launched something of the sort.
I'm not trying to make the case the First Class on some of the second-tier carriers is necessarily better than Business on the big boys so don't assault me on that front...I'm just curious if there are any fares of the sort out there.
[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited 02-24-2003).]
Feb 25, 2003 | 10:05 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: DL GM, UA 1P, AA GLD
Posts: 1,963
Yes, in fact. The only way to fly in F transatlantic on LY is to be a member of their FF program and buy a full C-class ticket. For FF members, C-class tickets have a free upgrade to first.
Feb 25, 2003 | 6:14 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: SQ, LH, AMEX, Citi, Cap1
Posts: 4,113
* During the days NW had 3 classes over service, my father and I flew on CX2F fares to Bangkok and Manila. They essentially were routing restricted fares, for travel between Sunday through Thursday, fully-refundable. Booking classes were either C or F bucket.
NW marketed them as ConnectFirstAsia, where if you buy a business class fare, you get an "upgrade" to F class. They started on 4/99 and ended on 10/00, when they terminated their int'l first class service.
Based on my experience from that trip, their F class service at the time would be first rate J class service.
* NW also has YX4Z fares running now between YYZ and TPE/HKG for around $1150 one-way. Booking classes are either Y or Z. (You must be an absolute idiot to use this fare booked in Y, regardless if Z is available.)
Now and then, they run those kind of funky fares between JFK, SEA, LAX, and SFO and TPE/HKG/BKK. These fares are also routing-restricted and only allow for travel between Monday and Thursdays (I think).
- Pat
NW marketed them as ConnectFirstAsia, where if you buy a business class fare, you get an "upgrade" to F class. They started on 4/99 and ended on 10/00, when they terminated their int'l first class service.
Based on my experience from that trip, their F class service at the time would be first rate J class service.
* NW also has YX4Z fares running now between YYZ and TPE/HKG for around $1150 one-way. Booking classes are either Y or Z. (You must be an absolute idiot to use this fare booked in Y, regardless if Z is available.)
Now and then, they run those kind of funky fares between JFK, SEA, LAX, and SFO and TPE/HKG/BKK. These fares are also routing-restricted and only allow for travel between Monday and Thursdays (I think).
- Pat
