The Definitive A Fare, P Fare, D Fare and I Fare Thread
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
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The Definitive A Fare, P Fare, D Fare and I Fare Thread
A fares are the best thing DL has done in a long time. Such a good price for paid F and no worrying about upgrades. DL has done a lot of stupid things lately, but I have to give them kudos for this, their first real "enhancement"! Way to go DL!
#4
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Speaking of A versus D -- all the discount First Class fares I've seen are applicable to A or D. Anyone find different fares?
#7
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,035
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by magic12:
How do you find the A fares? I have looked on the Delta web site and can't seem to find any. Any flights out of SAN.....</font>
How do you find the A fares? I have looked on the Delta web site and can't seem to find any. Any flights out of SAN.....</font>
#8
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ATL, PM
Posts: 440
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ConnFlyer:
The A fares are primarily a competitive response to Airtran because Airtran offers a reasonably priced business class. Since Airtran does not serve SAN, finding a cheap A fare will likely be very hard.
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The A fares are primarily a competitive response to Airtran because Airtran offers a reasonably priced business class. Since Airtran does not serve SAN, finding a cheap A fare will likely be very hard.
</font>
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ConnFlyer:
The A fares are primarily a competitive response to Airtran because Airtran offers a reasonably priced business class. Since Airtran does not serve SAN, finding a cheap A fare will likely be very hard.
</font>
The A fares are primarily a competitive response to Airtran because Airtran offers a reasonably priced business class. Since Airtran does not serve SAN, finding a cheap A fare will likely be very hard.
</font>
And I agree that A Fares are great. My wife (a PM) and I have booked a number of them. If DAL were smart they might try offering them in more markets. In a different thread it was discussed how only 6% of FC seats are actually purchased (a figure provided by our esteemed FT owner, Randy Petersen). A Fares would likely up that number. A lot of us buying A Fares are paying more for those than we would otherwise be paying for, let's say, HQK type fares, meaning more revenue for DAL. And, most of us aren't going to pay 3 or 4 times an A Fare for a "full-fare" FC ticket. So, I would think it's a winner for both. The customer gets a FC seat and doesn't have to hassle with upgrading and DAL makes more money (and also doesn't have as much hassle with managing upgrades).
And I also agree with an earlier comment that the same rationale applies to BC (I) fares.
#10
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by atl runner:
If an A Fare is available, you won't have to "find it." When you go to book first class on delta.com, if it's available, it will be your first option listed.
And I agree that A Fares are great. My wife (a PM) and I have booked a number of them. If DAL were smart they might try offering them in more markets. In a different thread it was discussed how only 6% of FC seats are actually purchased (a figure provided by our esteemed FT owner, Randy Petersen). A Fares would likely up that number. A lot of us buying A Fares are paying more for those than we would otherwise be paying for, let's say, HQK type fares, meaning more revenue for DAL. And, most of us aren't going to pay 3 or 4 times an A Fare for a "full-fare" FC ticket. So, I would think it's a winner for both. The customer gets a FC seat and doesn't have to hassle with upgrading and DAL makes more money (and also doesn't have as much hassle with managing upgrades).</font>
If an A Fare is available, you won't have to "find it." When you go to book first class on delta.com, if it's available, it will be your first option listed.
And I agree that A Fares are great. My wife (a PM) and I have booked a number of them. If DAL were smart they might try offering them in more markets. In a different thread it was discussed how only 6% of FC seats are actually purchased (a figure provided by our esteemed FT owner, Randy Petersen). A Fares would likely up that number. A lot of us buying A Fares are paying more for those than we would otherwise be paying for, let's say, HQK type fares, meaning more revenue for DAL. And, most of us aren't going to pay 3 or 4 times an A Fare for a "full-fare" FC ticket. So, I would think it's a winner for both. The customer gets a FC seat and doesn't have to hassle with upgrading and DAL makes more money (and also doesn't have as much hassle with managing upgrades).</font>
- One does not have to search First Class fares at www.delta.com to find A or D fares. All one has to do is choose the Coach (Flexible) option and, if the A or D fares are available, they will be immediately available for purchase. This is an easier option because instead of selecting individual flights (as one has to do with the Business and First Class options), the complete round-trip can be selected as usual.
- A and D fares are upgrades, not actual purchases of Business or First Class. The difference is that these upgrades are automatic when available on select routes.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2001
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Canarsie:
A and D fares are upgrades, not actual purchases of Business or First Class. The difference is that these upgrades are automatic when available on select routes.[/list]</font>
A and D fares are upgrades, not actual purchases of Business or First Class. The difference is that these upgrades are automatic when available on select routes.[/list]</font>
However, there are the Y*DLUP fares (Y can be substituted for other economy inventories) that are upgrades, not purchased premium cabin. When buying those fares you are subject to either V or G availability and accrues MQM's equivalent to the inventory purchased.
Regarding the SAN question posed: Yes, there are A and D fares out of SAN in certain markets. However, they are not the super cheap A fares associated with AirTran routes. SAN also has a number of **DLUP** fares.
Delta appears to be still taking a match by market approach in pricing. Recently, United has started a very agressive price/availability strategy and for the first time I'm seeing extremely agressive fares even in markets not served by LCCs.
#12
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LAOCA:
They are treated like F and C as far as MQM accrual. As far as availability, A or D must have free inventory on the flight you are going on.</font>
They are treated like F and C as far as MQM accrual. As far as availability, A or D must have free inventory on the flight you are going on.</font>
My most recent post in this thread is based on the following information from my own personal experience in the LAX-ATL "D" Fare $614.00.???? thread:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Canarsie:
The following is the list of fare rules for the A or D fare for a round-trip flight between Atlanta and Los Angeles:
Fare Code - QDLUPTN
BLACKOUT DATES YES*
COMBINATIONS YES*
CHANGES/ASC YES*/NO
CO TERMINALS YES*
REFUNDS REFUNDABLE
RESERVATIONS ANYTIME
STANDBY YES UNTIL 28FEB03*
SAME DAY CONFIRMED YES EFFECTIVE 01MAR03*
STOPOVERS NO ENROUTE FREE STOPOVERS*
TICKETING ANYTIME
SURCHARGES NONE</font>
The following is the list of fare rules for the A or D fare for a round-trip flight between Atlanta and Los Angeles:
Fare Code - QDLUPTN
BLACKOUT DATES YES*
COMBINATIONS YES*
CHANGES/ASC YES*/NO
CO TERMINALS YES*
REFUNDS REFUNDABLE
RESERVATIONS ANYTIME
STANDBY YES UNTIL 28FEB03*
SAME DAY CONFIRMED YES EFFECTIVE 01MAR03*
STOPOVERS NO ENROUTE FREE STOPOVERS*
TICKETING ANYTIME
SURCHARGES NONE</font>
#13
Join Date: Jan 2004
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Canarsie:
There are two points that I would like to clarify:
There are two points that I would like to clarify:
- One does not have to search First Class fares at www.delta.com to find A or D fares. All one has to do is choose the Coach (Flexible) option and, if the A or D fares are available, they will be immediately available for purchase. This is an easier option because instead of selecting individual flights (as one has to do with the Business and First Class options), the complete round-trip can be selected as usual.
- A and D fares are upgrades, not actual purchases of Business or First Class. The difference is that these upgrades are automatic when available on select routes.
[This message has been edited by atl runner (edited Mar 05, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by atl runner (edited Mar 05, 2004).]
#14
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Aside from domestic routes, anyone know of A/D fares available on international ones.
(i.e. on CO, Z fares can be found in the mid 2000 range for FCO, MXP, AMS, MAD etc-- from NYC).
(i.e. on CO, Z fares can be found in the mid 2000 range for FCO, MXP, AMS, MAD etc-- from NYC).
#15
Join Date: Jan 2004
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mauld:
Aside from domestic routes, anyone know of A/D fares available on international ones.
(i.e. on CO, Z fares can be found in the mid 2000 range for FCO, MXP, AMS, MAD etc-- from NYC).</font>
Aside from domestic routes, anyone know of A/D fares available on international ones.
(i.e. on CO, Z fares can be found in the mid 2000 range for FCO, MXP, AMS, MAD etc-- from NYC).</font>