Firstup Goes Systemwide

[tadjr]

Saw today that they are finally rolling out the Firstup Upgrade program systemwide on Apr 26. This will be good news $wise if its done like it should be. I havent had too much of a problem selling leftover seats. Did 7 to PIT one flight alone last week and 8 to CLT on another flight the same day!

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

I havent had too much of a problem selling leftover seats. Did 7 to PIT one flight alone last week and 8 to CLT on another flight the same day!

Just think how many you could sell if the 757s still had 24 F/C seats! 😉

 

[tadjr]

Dont ya know it?! Give me that 321 with 20 inventory seats blocked any day and watch the line form! Havent been overrun with lots of US1/2/3 this past week on a lot of flights so have had the chance to do some selling before the free upgrading of oversales begins. No chance at all on a 757 for this. :down:

 

[phllax]

I was on a 757 out of FLL to PHL on the 7th at 11:40 am and he sold 2 for $100 each at the gate. Of course my 1-way fare was less than $100 including all taxes and I cleared 3 days out.

 

[PHL]

Does a pax get upgraded to an 'F' class ticket? If not, what fare class do they go into? And, in which markets is this being rolled out?

 

[geo1004]

Does a pax get upgraded to an 'F' class ticket?

Nope. There's a separate fare-code (G, I think although it may have changed) for upgrades from discount eco tickets.

 

[tadjr]

The upgrades go into E or P depending on the original fare basis of the ticket.
Its currently just being offered OUT of Florida and SEA/DEN/DFW, but will go systemwide Domestic US only on Apr 26. No Caribbean or Transatlantic.

 

[PHL]

Can someone give me the rundown again on how it works? Pricing? When can one pay for the upgrade? Since I dropped from CP to nothing this year, for those few trips I'll be taking I may just do this.

 

[Squonk]

Firstup's are offered only at the gate after the gate agents have accomodated all US1, US2 & US3 upgrades. Gate agent will then solicit the FIRSTUP program in the gate area approximately 30 minutes prior to departure. The upgrade is only for that flight and may or may not be offered on connecting or return flights. The cost is $50 $100 and $150 depending on the length of the flight. The revenues generated in the test cities are impressive. I don't have the figures, but it is easy revenue that otherwise would have been left at the gate. US should have been promoting this long ago.

I agree that the reduction in F class seats on the 757's was carried too far. The company should have reduced the A320 to 12 F seats, the A321 and the B757 to 16 seats in First. This would have netted more coach seats for revenue generation and would have maintained integrity for our First Class product for our preferred customers.

B)