Originally Posted by
RobOnLI
When you look at these numbers, whether they are accurate or not, I can't see how the three airlines will continue to offer reciprocal upgrades for all CO/DL/NW elites on flights on all fare classes. DL elites are going to completely screw up the upgrade percentages for all elites on NW/CO. Likewise, DL now upgrading NW & CO elites will screw up that side.
Why?
The aggregate number of elites and aggregate number of flights and aggregate number of first class seats across the domestic SkyTeam Alliance will remain the same even if DL is integrated into the reciprocal complimentary upgrade fold. Sure, adding thousands of DL elites will increase competition when those elites crossover to sample the wares offered by CO and NW, but reciprocity will also put thousands of DL first class seats in play for OnePass and WorldPerks elites. In the end, I suspect it will largely be a wash.
However, your concern can be alleviated if each airline implements a system whereby its own elites are accommodated first before any partner elites are upgraded. For example, on NW-metal flights:
(1) NW Platinums;
(2) NW Golds;
(3) NW Silvers;
(4) CO/DL Platinums;
(5) CO/DL Golds;
(6) CO/DL Silvers
or, if you want to preserve the status quo equal treatment of NW and CO elites:
(1) NW/CO Platinums;
(2) NW/CO Golds;
(3) NW/CO Silvers;
(4) DL Platinums;
(5) DL Golds;
(6) DL Silvers.
I would welcome full SkyTeam complimentary upgrade reciprocity for one simple reason: it makes no sense for a domestic SkyTeam flight to go out with empty first class seats and loyal SkyTeam elites stuck in the back.