Delta fare sale on First Class
This move is not going to sit well with some of the bloggers that appear to think that premium seats on an airplane should not be sold so they are available as awards and upgrades. Yesterday, Delta Air Lines announced a sale on First Class within the continental U.S. and Canada.
Delta Air Lines has a sale on First Class until November 1, 2016 (click to enlarge)
“Book by November 1, 2016, and purchase First Class for an additional $39-$149* each way (based on a required round-trip Main Cabin ticket purchase). Then fly anytime from November 19, 2016, through January 2, 2017.”
Generally, I would not pay for domestic First Class simply because the prices are usually too high to justify the relatively small incremental value I receive on what are typically fairly short flights. As part of my recent European Gridiron Adventure trip, I had two segments in domestic First Class on American Airlines. That included preferred boarding, a bigger seat near the front of the aircraft, a drink before take-off, and a bag of chips. That's what I call small incremental value.
The extra seat width was nice but that is the probably the only significant perk that would tempt me to upgrade to First. Legroom is typically not a factor as I usually get Comfort+. I get preferred boarding on Delta - though behind First Class and Diamond Medallions - thanks to my American Express Delta Sky Miles Platinum Card. That being said, upgrading to First for less than $100 might be worthwhile depending on the specifics of a flight.
I don't have any fly-away trips planned for the rest of the year, but if that changes before November 1, I will definitely consider whether an upgrade to First is worthwhile.