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Several bloggers (View from the Wing and Live and Let’s Fly) have recently written about how complimentary elite upgrades to First and Business Class on American, Delta, and United have all but disappeared and that the value proposition for holding elite status has changed since these free upgrades no longer happen with the consistency they used to occur. Gary feels that elites should be given the opportunity to buy upgrades at a discount and Matthew has shifted to buying First Class when he really wants it. My opinion is a bit stronger. Complimentary upgrades not supported by an instrument (PlusPoints, Global Upgrades, or Systemwide Upgrades) or miles should be yanked from the airline’s loyalty programs.
Complimentary upgrades for all elite members is a relatively new concept. American did away with its 500-mile upgrade coupons as recently as 2022. European and Asian airlines do not fill premium cabins with elite members as a promised benefit of holding elite status with an airline. US carriers should follow suit. The experience for premium passengers would be better if not every seat were filled. I am fortunate to only fly in Business or First Class on every flight that I take. That number is around 200 for this year alone (when I combine my business and personal travel). I always pay the difference for a premium cabin when flying for business when it’s outside company policy, use upgrade instruments when possible (rarely for myself, but sometimes for my spouse or mother), or just buy it outright for personal trips. I have not played the upgrade lottery in around a decade.
I still strive for elite status (I will hold Executive Platinum®, Diamond Medallion, and Premier 1K® in 2026), but that’s not for upgrades. I like the increased mileage earning, the dedicated phone support when operations run irregular, and some of the alliance benefits that come from holding top-tier status. I love being able to enter foreign lounges and at times nicer ones (i.e. Senator versus Business on Lufthansa).
The expectation that you will be upgraded just for holding elite status is as quaint as dressing up to score that upgrade. Leave the suit and tie at home and get out your wallet. There are too many elite members, not enough seats open for upgrades, and the difference between cabins is often pretty inexpensive. I’ve paid $30, $50, and $100 to re-fare a ticket and move into a premium cabin. This is not to say that I have not paid hundreds of dollars to move to the front side of the curtain on some flights. To me, I do not want to sit in Economy and I will shell out the money to make sure I’m seated there.
Matthew makes the point that many elite members now come from spend on credit cards. I agree that the ranks have been bloated and this has further diluted upgrade benefits. Going into 2026, if you want to sit up front it’s best to buy the seat. Gary makes a good point that elite members should be given access to discounted upgrades. I think they should be given first crack at buying them and if they refuse it should go through the hierarchy of elite status (i.e. Global Services, Premier 1K®, Platinum, Gold, and then Silver on United). If no one buys the upgrade with cash, an upgrade instrument, or miles then the seats should fly empty. Half empty premium cabins give passengers more space and make the flight attendants more attentive.
Anthony’s Take: Let’s see what the future holds. Passengers are buying more premium seats and airlines are pricing tickets and upgrades reasonably. This will continue to fill cabins. The idea of holding out for a free upgrade is just one that is no longer realistic.
(Featured Image Credit: Delta Air Lines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
