Originally Posted by
javabytes
For international flights? No. No complimentary upgrades unless you use a GUC (equivalent of GPU). Or op-ups if the back is oversold.
For domestic flights? Those are disappearing greatly too. Word is Delta wants to fill 80% of the front cabin with paying customers by 2020. Since SFO is a UA hub, and conventional wisdom is that upgrades are much tougher if you're a hub captive, things *may* be slightly better on DL... but don't expect the world. Upgrades are dying out.
A lot depends on where OP flies domestically. If it is mainly to other western destinations, he should do relatively well through LAX and SEA hubs. If most flying is to the east through SLC/MSP/ATL/DTW/JFK hubs, then yes, rates will probably be no better than UA.