Originally Posted by
Often1
Much of this is dealt with by simply pulling fare bases such as YCA from eligibility for Y UG's. Other items such as treating deeply discounted DLS fares as Y fares for UG purposes are part of the deal DL has cut with its top corporate customers. I would be surprised if DL can unilaterally end those deals other than when those contracts are up for renewal.
Finally, what are referred to as TA Shena, aren't really. Top producers are simply allocated UG's which the TA may then allocate to its best customers (or at least people it needs to take care of).
The bottom line is that with discounted F fares, people who want to fly in F, are well able to do so without having to play UG lottery. The losers here are people who fly on fully refundable Y tickets, but the reality is that this is a zero-sum game and somebody always loses a bit. It's not as though the full Y pax who is also a high-level elite either by earning status or having it designated via corporate contract, won't get an UG on a Y fare.
DL's T&C say that, among other things, the upgrade rules can be changed at any time. It wouldn't be a stretch to declare that discounted corporate contract Y fares no longer count as FULL Y, with FULL Y being required for the early upgrades. Depending on who is doing domestic business travel on Y fares, some corporate travel managers could protest and renegotiate contracts or pick other airlines when their contracts with DL are up for renewal. However, some companies might not care that their employees are sitting in the back on deeply discounted Y fares that company policy requires for the refund ability, especially if higher level executives are permitted to buy FC.