Ever-widening gap between Basic and Main fares
Feb 27, 2026 | 4:10 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta GM, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,453
I chose WN for a quick trip to LAS from SLC instead of DL. Man, the terminal area at LAS for WN is an awful dump!!! I'll drive down from SLC instead of flying WN next time. AND I won't have to make the Pioneer Trek to the B gates in SLC 
Feb 27, 2026 | 11:39 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SBA
Programs: DL Platinum, UA Silver
Posts: 328
The only reason I stick with DL and am *semi*-loyal is due to the fact that my last job and current job have involved frequent travel to secondary cities in ST countries (MPL and GDL). Otherwise, if I was truly looking out for my domestic travel interests as a SBA/LAX based flyer, I'd be AS loyal, I think.
Feb 28, 2026 | 8:08 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,067
The answer is "it depends". Are you comparing apples and oranges? E.g. nonstop on DL from ATL vs 1-stop on AA? What are the times and frequencies of each airline, etc.
I find value in DM. Tangible benefits include the C+ upgrade at booking and the Choice Benefits. One question that has to be evaluated when pricing out a RUC/GUC is "would I pay for F on this flight?" My answer is generally "yes." So my GUCs save me on average $8k-ish and my RUCs save me maybe $3k. It may be more. I don't place value on F upgrades since they're random and infrequent. I'm not sure how much better customer service is, and I'm not sure how to value it.
But as I posted in another thread, I have a trip coming up where the apples-to-apples comparison doesn't justify paying DL/AF/KL's 60% premium over the alternatives. The upside for me is I doubt this will make or break having DM next year... as we've also discussed a bunch, there isn't tangible benefit for having $28,001 MQDs.
I find value in DM. Tangible benefits include the C+ upgrade at booking and the Choice Benefits. One question that has to be evaluated when pricing out a RUC/GUC is "would I pay for F on this flight?" My answer is generally "yes." So my GUCs save me on average $8k-ish and my RUCs save me maybe $3k. It may be more. I don't place value on F upgrades since they're random and infrequent. I'm not sure how much better customer service is, and I'm not sure how to value it.
But as I posted in another thread, I have a trip coming up where the apples-to-apples comparison doesn't justify paying DL/AF/KL's 60% premium over the alternatives. The upside for me is I doubt this will make or break having DM next year... as we've also discussed a bunch, there isn't tangible benefit for having $28,001 MQDs.
If I flew on someone else's dime still, I would not care. I would only consider convenience to myself. If all travel comes out of an individual's bottom line it becomes a very different discussion.
Feb 28, 2026 | 11:11 am
#19
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: DL (duh), AA 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,767
If I were not a hub captive, there are scenarios where being mid-tier on two airlines would make more sense than being DM. Especially since free upgrades to F are essentially gone on all of the majors.
Feb 28, 2026 | 11:17 am
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 72,279
If you are a hub captive, that is really the only time where it makes sense to chase status. Once you're in a location where there is true competition, price and convenience ought to drive your choices.
Feb 28, 2026 | 1:51 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Kroger Plus, Starbucks Green Card, My Walgreens
Posts: 5,548
I don't think being a captive changes it that much. It will change what's the most convenient, and it will change what's the most price effective, but you should still let those factors drive your decisions
Feb 28, 2026 | 4:39 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 246
Also being ATL hub captive, the major decision is stops in a city other than the destination. I rarely go to DFW, Houston, Charlotte, or Chicago, so everyone else includes a stop that Delta doesn't. I've spent enough nights at the layover after missing the last of the night for a lifetime already.
Feb 28, 2026 | 6:23 pm
#23
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: DL (duh), AA 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,767
Otoh, I’m not a huge fan of creating DL spend to get those $6k MQD unless it’s via natural Amex spend because i think DM status is worth maybe closer to $4-5k over PLT. Maybe it’s more… maybe not. But this is a ballpark.
Feb 28, 2026 | 6:25 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,067
I agree, but the Venn circles do have overlap. If I only earned $26k MQD, I'd strongly consider doing what I needed to in order to make DM. OTOH, I wouldn't spend $10k to make DM.
If I were not a hub captive, there are scenarios where being mid-tier on two airlines would make more sense than being DM. Especially since free upgrades to F are essentially gone on all of the majors.
If I were not a hub captive, there are scenarios where being mid-tier on two airlines would make more sense than being DM. Especially since free upgrades to F are essentially gone on all of the majors.
I think it comes down to flight patterns. Domestic flights are better with the largest network available. International though is different. There are almost zero nonstops to many locations, particularly in asia.
My flight patterns are almost all international. Most of the time I have to get to a major hub anyway (LAX, ORD, JFK or SEA). If I have to do that, then I take the cheapest carrier. LAX and JFK are awesome for cheap F fares to many locations.
Feb 28, 2026 | 6:55 pm
#25
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: DL (duh), AA 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,767
I cannot argue with you. 2k might be reasonable. I have done that myself, and I pay for all my own travel. 2k for the GUC's can be worth it. If it was someone else's money I would not hesitate to fabricate the trips necessary to hit that.
I think it comes down to flight patterns. Domestic flights are better with the largest network available. International though is different. There are almost zero nonstops to many locations, particularly in asia.
My flight patterns are almost all international. Most of the time I have to get to a major hub anyway (LAX, ORD, JFK or SEA). If I have to do that, then I take the cheapest carrier. LAX and JFK are awesome for cheap F fares to many locations.
I think it comes down to flight patterns. Domestic flights are better with the largest network available. International though is different. There are almost zero nonstops to many locations, particularly in asia.
My flight patterns are almost all international. Most of the time I have to get to a major hub anyway (LAX, ORD, JFK or SEA). If I have to do that, then I take the cheapest carrier. LAX and JFK are awesome for cheap F fares to many locations.
Mar 1, 2026 | 8:56 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,067
TK is outstanding IMHO. The chefs on the flight and the seats alone are worth the cost. It is usually less expensive as well.
I don't know if you have flown them before, but they have a program where you can layover in IST. It is very nice and IST is well worth the visit. If done correctly, 8-10 hours is enough to see the big attractions (haga sophia, cistern, and the grand bazaar). I know there is a lot more, but those are worth the visit.
I don't know if you have flown them before, but they have a program where you can layover in IST. It is very nice and IST is well worth the visit. If done correctly, 8-10 hours is enough to see the big attractions (haga sophia, cistern, and the grand bazaar). I know there is a lot more, but those are worth the visit.
Mar 1, 2026 | 10:28 am
#27
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: DL (duh), AA 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,767
TK is outstanding IMHO. The chefs on the flight and the seats alone are worth the cost. It is usually less expensive as well.
I don't know if you have flown them before, but they have a program where you can layover in IST. It is very nice and IST is well worth the visit. If done correctly, 8-10 hours is enough to see the big attractions (haga sophia, cistern, and the grand bazaar). I know there is a lot more, but those are worth the visit.
I don't know if you have flown them before, but they have a program where you can layover in IST. It is very nice and IST is well worth the visit. If done correctly, 8-10 hours is enough to see the big attractions (haga sophia, cistern, and the grand bazaar). I know there is a lot more, but those are worth the visit.
Mar 1, 2026 | 1:06 pm
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 72,279
Mar 2, 2026 | 11:26 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Klagetoh
Posts: 24,171
I've driven about that far to take a flight from LAS.
Mar 5, 2026 | 6:39 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 302
I see on a flight tomorrow that the main economy cabin is packed solid but there are a lot of comfort plus seats, most of them. I suspect that on this flight, maybe most people are booking basic economy or non-Comfort Plus economy so Delta is stuffing the people in the back to punish them instead of spreading them out.
Someday there might be movable seats so the leg room of basic economy is reduced?
Someday there might be movable seats so the leg room of basic economy is reduced?