Originally Posted by
DeltaFirst
Overall, in the grand scheme of all things Continental, I don't believe status matters.
Poppycock.
As a Diamond Medallion on Delta, I'm pretty sure with a Y,B or M fare internationally, my chances are usually 90% of the time great that I will be able to use a SWU certificate or miles.
Well now I really can't take your post seriously. So you're okay with blowing $2,000 extra on that M fare 10% of the time?
I spot-checked a handful of routes, and it looks like M fares are generally in the $2800+ r/t range. CO will let you upgrade to BusinessFirst with mileage for around $1500-2000 on average (CO SWUs have no fare class restrictions), but if the upgrade never clears you'd save $1000 if you purchased the lowest fare. Oh, and no fare restrictions on domestic mileage upgrades either. I think DL still prohibits LUT fares, right? Those K fares are no bargains.
If there is a seat not taken upfront on the day of departure, I get it.
This is generally the same for CO Platinums. Very few reports recently of BusinessFirst upgrades not clearing.
For the most part, Delta's process is almost transparent.
Well, I'm 90% sure there are a bunch of posts in the DL forum talking about their own type of Shenanigans.