Originally Posted by
Bowgie
Speaking in general, I'm skeptical of the usefulness of the strategy. Someone might earn 23 months of Diamond, but that is still only one set of extra perks rewards like the GUC's.
Speaking from experience, DM is way better than PM for upgrades in many markets. This strategy can turn an every-year PM into a once-every-two-years DM, even if one counts the RUC for GUC swap as neutral.
Also, Diamond only really helps if one regularly flies Delta. If that's the case, it seems better to just maintain status by re-earning it year-by-year the normal way. The unstated assumption seems to be earn 23 months, and then what? Fly another airline? Then why bother?
Flying DL and earning SkyMiles are two very different things. Anything that allows one to preserve DL status while crediting as few miles as possible to SkyMiles is a huge win IMHO. I love DL the airline--they are hands down the best operationally in the US, and DM service in IRROPs makes all the difference. That said, SkyMiles is (currently) in the toilet, so I credit my DL flights to AS.