walterh

You know it's now going to be 33/34, right?

Zorak

I'm sure it's just a FT handle, but in my mind's eye I see the scene as

GA: passenger Holt, please come to the podium
steveholt: [fistpump] STEVE HOLT!

every time, and the idea amuses me to no end

Jump

You missed those who look to try to avoid the bulkhead. Maybe you don't fly every week?

s0ssos

In my head he says:
steveholt: [fistpump] The Holt does it again!

avidflyer

Just sayin....I am explat on AA and for at least the 2016 program year it will be the current program (changes coming mid year). I have missed exactly 1 upgrade out of 36 since the beginning of the year. Say what you want about AA but my on time % has been great and I am up front every flight (literally just got off a $132 LAX-BOS flight in F at 100 hours out) and happy with the service. Granted it is bound to go away but as a DM you would need to fly 25K LESS than on DL and you would be up front with an "acceptable" meal as bubba correctly put it and with a bigger seat for free. At least for one more program year you have an option..

Tomphot

Exactly - I don't keep track of all my stats like many on FT, but this year I have bought a lot FC seats when I thought I would most likely not be upgraded. As it turned out, when I got to the gate and looked at the board, it usually said zero seats available. I think if I had always bought Y seats this year, my upgrade percentage would be under 50%

GRALISTAIR

Very true

steveholt

I'm actually already sweating my next flight, so I may have clinched it. Not looking to brag or anything, just can't fathom that my experience is so much different from OP's.

Jump

Except when it has nothing to do with it.

GRALISTAIR

Oh come on - it was tongue in cheek - have a laugh - life is good

hereweyo

I left AA's program a couple of years ago and switched to DL. This is my second year as DM. Sounds like I've had better luck with upgrades. Maybe because I don't live at a Delta hub (DFW), or maybe because I added the Amex Platinum Delta card. Who knows. But my domestic upgrade rate is easily 80%. I travel 3 weeks out of 4, buy the lowest economy fare. Usually clear UG 5 days ahead. Sometimes they clear my first segment in advance and I'm left on UG standby for the second segment, but usually clear that list at the gate. Even though it means more connecting flights, there's no going back to AA for me.

baccarat_king

That's because AA is leaving lots of "money on the table," by not monetizing their first class cabin properly. There is a reason why Delta keeps exceeding shareholder expectations. (I am being a "bit" tongue-in-cheek, I barely follow the financials that closely...)

I have a bunch of OneWorld flights starting with HKG-AMS at the beginning of 2016. But, 2016 is my year of "free agency." I will re-qualify for Delta Diamond some time in October, but this will be my final year.

I really like the concept of being alliance "free" (I'll cheat a bit, and get Flying Blue Platinum aka SkyTeam Elite+ as a designated spouse (of a Platinum) program with AMEX). But otherwise, I much prefer just seeking out my discounted premium class tickets or "buying up" in the USA (especially on Delta). No need to have status when the premium cabins are so accessible. Caveat, of course, is that I'm looking to fly a bit less; and I fly mostly long-haul.

SYRRDU

I made the exact same comment earlier this year on a different thread, but since then have been near 100% and even have gotten an OPUP on a TATL (possibly even one coming this week). But FCM has changed the game, and being UG'd on only 4 of 9 B fares for a DM this year is poor. I post 150-250K MQMs each year (like many on this forum) and a DM on a B should be an automatic, maybe within a window. Being #1 on the UG and watching the FC inventory of 5-6 go to 0 in the last 20 minutes prior to boarding while remaining at #1 is very frustrating.

As for AA, completely not impressed. I challenged to Plat last year, made it easily and started collecting their UG credits. This year, both my AA and US accounts merged and I got Plat and due to travel needs have continued to fly them a bit, and again have picked up many more credits. For 2014 and 2015, I have flown over 90 flights with the new AA, with only a few on RJ's. I have had 1 UG and am often in the lower 25% on the UG list. AA Gold is good enough, no expectations that way and I can still have overhead space. Plats on DL I believe have a much better UG%. As for on time %, yes all airlines have issues, but if I arrive home (RDU) within an hour of plan, I'll call it on time, AA meets that low bar maybe 50% of the time.

flyerCO

Just to point out, the First Class SDC policy I believe adds to the swing of seats a good bit, with people switching last minute. I'll sometimes buy First just because of it. I know some people feel DL shouldn't make a DM pay at all, and that DL should always fly DM in First Class. However that's just not practical or reasonable from a business standpoint. We might all complain, but DL clearly has done it's homework, and knows what people will pay, when they'll pay it, and are running a profitable airline, even excluding recent oil savings. They run an airline that gets people where they need to be, and mostly on-time.

UA is RJ crazy, and even on mainline has far fewer FC seats. AA runs a different program, and what it is now is expected to change once they're done focusing on combing two airlines into one. Jump to AA, but do so realizing that your happiness will probably be short lived. I'm not 100% happy with DL, but domestically, their FC cabins and unlimited upgrades seem to work the vast majority of times for DMs. There will always be routes/times that will be hard to upgrade, but unless you expect DL to install 100% FC seating on a 737 those will happen.

avidflyer

Plat on AA is gold on DL. Huge difference.