Originally Posted by
alphaeagle
I don't get why you'd likely end up in the middle if you can select a seat. Are they planning on blocking most seats, so you can only choose mostly middles towards the back? Not sure why that would be any better than not being able to choose seats ahead of time at all. You choose seats ahead of time so you don't end up in the middle.
This will likely hurt elites the most. As a Gold I'll probably be getting very little benefits with basic economy tickets. So the option would be to pay more, or end up being a de facto non-elite. Doubt these will allow changes or upgrades.
perhaps seat selection will only be from OLCI inside T-24, and BE fares will be restricted to seats behind the exit rows. so you get to choose versus them choosing for you, but the choices won't be great.
i am confident the mileage earning will be <100%.
regarding employer purchases, my employer's travel portal blocks basic economy fares. there are plenty of times they are offered by Delta, but the lowest fare returned by our portal is the lowest main cabin fare with normal privileges. from what i have heard many employers who use travel portals have instilled this logic in their searches/booking rules.