Originally Posted by
Cellisttoo
Not to throw the comparisons out, but I could actually afford the Y/B fares on NW. Please tell me there is another option...
Curious how that's possible given that NW's Y and B fares were the top Economy fares...and Y fares (being the full, unrestricted Economy fares) are generally the same on all airlines (everyone has a full-Y fare)...which would mean that in most markets, DL should also have similary Y and B fares (the two most expensive Economy fares in any market).
Originally Posted by raehl311
International upgrades on DL are pointless - you can just buy a Business seat on CO or UA or AA for less than you'd pay for the Y/B/M fare to begin with....
This year is an exception because of the recession, so many carriers have cut their TATL lowest Business fares, in some cases, to lower levels than top Economy fares. However, in most markets, Delta has also cut those Business fares ("I" inventory) to the same levels as UA, AA, CO, etc.
In many non-TATL markets however, the M fare still offers a savings of $1000 a more roundtrip compared to the lowest "I" fare (or equivalent fares on AA or CO or UA). E.g., just recently did a roundtrip JFK-HKG on a DLNW upgradeable "M" fare that came out to US$2360 all-in; the lowest Business fare on any US carrier on that route was US$3500 all-in, a savings of more than US$1,000.