Originally Posted by
javabytes
The Amex Diamonds aren't going to move the needle. Some already spend $250k, some will get creative and spend $250k, some will give up. But the only thing the number of Diamonds really matters for is domestic upgrades. The quest to sell 80% of First Class seats by 2020 is going to increasingly work against you as the clock moves forward. They're at what, 55% now? So 45% of seats "given away" as upgrades becomes 20% within the next 2-3 years. I doubt the number of Diamonds will get cut in half, so Diamonds two years out will be worse off than Diamonds today even with the Amex Diamonds.
ding. ding. ding.
winner winner chicken dinner.
if domestic UGs are the important benefit then this is absolutely true, being #1 for 0 seats makes it a useless benefit. As long as the SDC rule of if any seat in F is available you can change flights stays and battlefield UGs are the norm then that will be how it is for virtually all flights.
I have actually stopped working for status after the Amex waiver change, I buy the cheap G fares on off times and SDC to the flight I really want.