Originally Posted by Blondeonboard

Though reservations will tell you otherwise, Transcon LAX-JFK and JFK-LAX now fly with mostly empty firsts. They no longer upgrade paid business class passengers to first when free seats are available in first. Instead they fly with the cabin empty unless the entire flight is oversold. This leaves elites whose businesses/personal life do not allow booking of business class seats to much more limited chances of upgrading to business class, I am stuck in coach on an upgrade wait list with 6 empty seats in first class. I am livid.

I know maybe this seems petty but I am a Platinium with around 7000/year spend. I thought I would get the upgrade. I could happily fly Delta on my LAX-JFK routes to see family. Kinda bummed to miss that terrific Flagship lounge and get stuck in the regular Admirals club lounge (much advertised avocado toast bar totally missing).