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American to let fliers bid on first-class upgrades
A customer can bid to upgrade to the next-highest class of service on their flight. When the flier does, he or she must also submit their credit card information along with their suggested price. If American likes a flier's offer, that passenger's card will automatically be charged and the upgrade will be confirmed. If American does not accept the offer, the flier's card is not charged. (www.usatoday.com) Más...I'm surprised something like this hasn't been tried already. People LOVE to bid on things!
Air New Zealand currently operates this system for upgrades to Premium Economy and Business.
It's been around:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/03/travel/place-your-bid-for-business-class/
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/03/travel/place-your-bid-for-business-class/
That is the goofiest thing I have ever heard. I am a gold flier on Delta with over two million miles. I have no idea how they determine who gets upgraded and either do they. Only the computer knows. Is this bidding done when you purchase your ticket? Is it a one bid only? I have been on over two thousand airplanes and I do not care anymore. I probably make the upgrade now about 30% of the time. It used to be about 75%. It depends on where you fly. Not long ago I flew a red eye from SEA to ATL and I was like 40th on the list for about 24 seats.
Delta has worn me down with their constant changes. I give up, put me in the back with the commoners. Let me fight for luggage space, use dirty restrooms and wait forever as the folks that bring their on all their worldly goods with them disembark the plane. I never thought the airlines could pull off the extra fees but they did it. I am in the very latter part of my traveling career and I have pity on the future travelers of America as they try to outshout the guy next to him on their cell saying, "can you hear me."
Delta has worn me down with their constant changes. I give up, put me in the back with the commoners. Let me fight for luggage space, use dirty restrooms and wait forever as the folks that bring their on all their worldly goods with them disembark the plane. I never thought the airlines could pull off the extra fees but they did it. I am in the very latter part of my traveling career and I have pity on the future travelers of America as they try to outshout the guy next to him on their cell saying, "can you hear me."
Practice is that unless you want to pay an expensive fare upgrade, there will usually be people who are above you in the pecking order to get the seat.
First class has been adjusted to match the revenue stream with less service, less quality alcohol and food, smaller seats, shorter pitch, and no ground amenities like truly first class lounges, complementary portage, bags delivered first (they all give a label, but it is ignored), isles blocked to allow disembarking ahead of the crowd, and a concierge to assist.
This type of auction is unfair to the bidders. In a fair auction the current bid is known to all bidders, and recent sales are reported to all at the same time. This is what makes the stock market work.
American wants to have its cake and eat it too.
All airlines offer the same service. The key to compete is to enhance the passenger experience. That is why the carpet is worn at the entrance to Emirates.