Originally Posted by
safigan
I'd like to hear more about your assumption that DL commands a 20% premium over UA/AA/US, as your whole analysis depends on it.
Further, Choice Benefits (GUCs, AmEx bill credit, etc.) have been worth at least $3,800 to me this year.
I agree that I've had to purchase F, even as a DM 2MM, as my flights are transcons, and I've been left at #1 on the UG list too often, and had to go back to WFBF.
The DL 20% was a wild guess based on a quick Google and personal anecdotes. I've had to move temporarily to MSP (from LAX) which has resulted in much higher DL fares for me because MSP is a hub. Flying from MSP to STT for the holidays was 2x compared to American and it's often 1.5x-2x to SFO compared to others. But obviously if you're not at a hub, this may be quite different.
https://thriftytraveler.com/news/air...flight-prices/. I wonder if anyone has ever done a REAL analysis on this. (Side note: I think Delta is
worth some price premium compared to other airlines because it's a better product, to a point.)
You're totally right that I should have taken into account choice benefits — though they've watered down GUCs by allowing only a one-class upgrade (!) and they rarely clear in advance. And now, lounge access is via credit card (and the lounges aren't what they used to be, since every human with a credit card has access).
I'm only DM 1MM but I almost never get upgraded to F on any 2+ hour flights anymore. There were years past where I'd get upgraded on every single flight. Those were the days!