This is exactly the sentiment that bothers me - the feeling of obligation. Why should DL feel compelled to give up that F seat to you when they know they'll have a good chance of getting a paying pax in there? As if leaving F seats empty is good business?

Because they advertise FC complementary UGs as a SM benefit.

No, I am not saying every seat for every person every time.

What remains to be seen is how far FCM progresses before DL management decides they can no longer pass the red-faced test, and have to change their advertising.

Look for instance at AMEX, they no longer advertise that 25K miles is enough to get you a free coach ticket. Reality struck.

Oh please. If they don't sell the seats and seats are available, then you get a complimentary upgrade, if your priority puts you ahead of other SM members. Your status does not entitle you to a free upgrade every time you book a flight. Even as a DM, if the cabin looked tight, I wouldn't hang around and wait for an upgrade. I'd just buy an F ticket. Suggest you do the same thing.

Clarification - they advertise FC complementary UGs when available. This is by no means a guarantee (and us lowly FOs are acutely aware of it). I empathize about the reduction in the number of upgrades for high level elites, but there needs to be a realistic understanding of truly what your status is worth. Here, it appears to be about $350 for this flight. I don't want to be a major DL apologist, but people need to see that the airline can choose to price its product however it wants.

Thanks
 

I totally agree with the OP this is a stupid game DL is playing with inventory.

However I must thank the OP because an Itin I had booked is all of a sudden FCM and the A fare was $9 more that the U fare.... Yup.... So I changed it....

So we play the game too - just like we have and why FlyerTalk can be awesome - yes it is us against them many times, and thanks to the OP, I feel like I just one a small battle....

Indeed. Apparently people are unhappy about Delta attempting to actually sell it's FC seats for a premium rather than price them out of reach of anyone outside multimillionaires or those spending OPM without a cap and end up giving away 80% of the FC cabin for free.

I guess they can always vote with their butts and go try AA and UA...we'll be waiting for the report on how that works out. Unless you're a lucky AA EXP who books early and flies connecting routes I doubt many will be pleased. AA and UA both have been monetizing FC to some degree longer than DL.

Quit your self righteousness, I never feel entitled to an upgrade. However, when i feel like Delta is playing games at the expense of their FFs(i should get used to it) I am perfectly entitled to make my opinions known. Explain why the M fare or this coach fare
http://i.imgur.com/fMdMZ2q.jpg

are priced higher than an F ticket. If delta was trying to sell more tickets, wouldn't it make sense to have the coach ticket even cheaper?

I guess it all depends where you are based and where you fly, but as an SFO/SJC and now DEN-based EXP, I am still 100% on upgrades in the last two years.

Oh please... let me point to your need to make a clarification...

And I quote... "No, I am not saying every seat for every person every time."

It should have been self-evident to a careful reader that I was acknowledging that there were no guarantees with respect to complementary upgrades.

May I suggest that each of you read for comprehension next time before launching an attack.

I'm just saying that it will be interesting to see how far management stretches FCM before they recognize that they have lost credibility on the assertion that complementary upgrades are a viable SM benefit.

Maybe they would rather sell DEN-ATL-LIM than DEN-ATL?

Says you. Even after moving from Diamond to Platinum this year, I continue to be at a 100% upgrade rate when I buy a Y fare. If you are having a problem, perhaps you need to do a better job managing your travels.

Mine does!!!!!!

Of the 2 y's i've bought this year, I haven't been upgraded. That's my route though, so it's fine.

Manage your travels? Either you are always booking late, or you have a nonexistent or ineffective corporate travel department. There is no reason you should be buying a Y fare unless it's the only fare available. Are you public sector?

Don't disparage us for not being able to charge y fares.

So did you pay $9 or $159?

Am i missing something here? How is that related?