If you feel like your elite status upgrades are clearing less, you’re not imagining things.
Delta Air Lines recently shared a statistic that caught my attention: 15 years ago, just 12% of passengers in its domestic first-class cabin actually paid for their ticket — leaving tons of seats available for upgrades.
Today is a different story: Around 75% of first-class passengers are buying their seat outright, Delta shared on its recent Investor Day.
There are a few reasons for the shift — including how Delta is pricing its first-class tickets, relative to coach (hint: the gap has narrowed).
But airlines all across the industry have told TPG they’re seeing more and more passengers willing to pay up for the high-end seats in recent years.
It’s not great news for those of us hoping our complimentary elite status upgrade will clear, to be sure.
In a world where status upgrades are harder to come by, confirmed upgrades are all the more important — think American Airlines’ systemwide upgrades, Delta’s upgrade certificates that come with certain credit cards, or JetBlue’s Move to Mint certificates.
You’ll also want to watch out for cheap paid upgrade opportunities that might guarantee you a seat up front; I say this while still lamenting that $80 transcontinental upgrade I let slip away this fall.
Finally, make the most of the other perks offered by your credit card or status — from free access to extra-legroom seats to free checked bags.
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