Comparing DL RDM and another airline's RDM is like comparing US$ to € (or maybe it's Lira )

Twenty plus years ago, I had to fly roughly 2.66 TATL (from LAX) trips to earn 1: (40K RDM for TATL Y, bonus as NW Gold was 25%)

Just before the merger, on NW I had to fly 1.85 TATL to earn 1 (50K RDM, Plat Bonus 125%).

Now I have to fly 2.5 TATL to earn 1 at low (60K RDM, Plat Bonus 100%) or 3.75 at medium (90K RDM, Plat Bonus 100%)

Now this isn't strictly apples to oranges: the availability 20 years ago was greater, except there were blackout dates. It took 50-60K EQM for gold (changed in 96?) and I don't think there was a higher mileage based level -- or if there was it was a 2% club sort of thing (never met any US based flyers higher, but I realize that doesn't mean anything).

There weren't many promo's and no credit card miles. So if you include that in the mix, things at medium aren't a whole lot worse than there were in the "good old days."

Premium cabin is a whole other thing: first of all the product is very different. While the NW 747/DC-10 "Executive Class" Barcaloungers were comfy, they don't compare to today's offerings. I don't have a lot of experience with the DL recliners (just the 757 transcon) but even they are a big improvement, to say nothing of the WBC pods and lie-flats.

It would be interesting to a similar analysis for other airlines.