Originally Posted by
Cloudship
As for the buying first, the problem is that that is not a reasonable option anymore. I lump that in with the program devaluation - the airlines are creating this ever widening gap - a first class ticket is so many times more expensive than a coach ticket you simply cant afford it.
I think the general trend is the opposite. In most cases, the gap between coach fares and first class fares seems to be narrowing as opposed to widening. At least in the US Domestic market, the first class premium is coming down on average.
The number of DL/UA elites whining about First Class Monetization and/or "TOD" (tens of dollars) upgrades would certainly indicate that airlines are selling more first class seats as opposed to giving them away for free to upgraders. And if enough people are doing this to truly negatively impact elites' upgrade percentages, then basic economics tells us that the price of the paid first class seat must have come down.