Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
A monthly transcon at $400 RT is only $4800 in annual spend but about 60,000 MQMs. To expect regular free upgrades to BE might well cost DL more in benefits than these people are contributing to DL's profits.
Except...
1. There's no real cost to DL unless the person would have bought BE to begin with and DL is cannibalizing that revenue.
2. Any seats up front that are given away are minutes from becoming spoiled inventory.
Also, upgrades for GMs on this route may or may not be "regular"... not to mention in this scenario the theoretical passenger only flies one route and always at the same price... not likely to be the case in reality.