Originally Posted by
CashN
All elites have a PQD requirement. Good luck spending 12k a year if you are buying cheaply seats. I would argue most leisure travelers book way in advance, much cheaper than most elites who have last minute business travel. I've paid ~$400- $500 for SFO to SNA and LAX to LAS dozens of time. I can't imagine leisure travelers doing that.
I just looked up a ticket from SFO to SNA for tomorrow. $174.
I cannot imagine many fliers just want to give airlines their money by choosing to buy the most expensive ticket available, whether business or leisure fliers