Originally Posted by
steveholt
DL's already found that there's very little relationship between the benefits they offer and spending on these cards. It would be much better if people operated rationally, but they don't. And frankly, while you're absolutely correct that the house wins when they charge more and keep the game the same, DL massively eroded benefits over the last decade and their elite ranks still flooded. There were still plenty of people furious here at the DL deval in 2023 having sat through devaluation after devaluation over the prior decade.
$300 AF increase nets DL more cash than an extra $5,000 of non-DL spend that might be required to make PM or DM above current thresholds.
Plus, raising spending thresholds for status does not generate that cash up-front.
Hard to know about the size of elite ranks right now. SC lines do not tell you that. Ability to use an RUC or GUC many months out on a popular route may be the best indicator and that has become easier in 2025. RUC/GUC success closer to departure time is still difficult not because there are a glut of other RUC's in front of you, but that people are willing to pay or upgrade to F with cash or miles (yes, some of those are CC spend-generated) closer to the departure date.