Originally Posted by
BearX220
I think you have to spend north of $30k / year to get United's attention. Below that threshold they seem not to know you exist, no matter how many miles you fly. DL has a purer status-by-revenue model rolling out and the miles are worth much less, but DL service culture is more genuine and egalitarian; I think they try to treat everyone well, especially HVFs.
The 2015 DL program is redeemable miles by revenue, status still by miles or segments flown but with a minimum spend required. You can not buy your way to higher status on DL. They may get there down the roads, but the program in its current and known future form is not a status-by-revenue model.