From First Class to Last Class: Delta Airlines

I know it has been a while, but with good reason. In the last two months I've been criss-crossing the country. Boston, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey (north, south, and central), San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, and then back to Los Angeles.

Those of you who find me on Facebook have noticed recent multiple status updates on my first class upgrades (or lack thereof). I have a ton of miles on Delta Airlines, so I frequently get free upgrades. However, recently they have lowered capacity, and thus, I'm competing on high travel routes with other Platinum Elite flyers.

The way the free upgrade works is that if first class doesn't sell out, then the highest level frequently flyers (Platinum Elite in this case) get the open seats. The issue is, however, that there are often more PEs than there are seats. What's the next tie-breaker? Total miles flown. My measly 300,000 doesn't often cut it.

So after about a year of non-stop first class flights, I've had to fly coach for the last two months. This happens to coincide with my heaviest travel schedule, hence the frustration. In fact, on a flight from Boston to Seattle last week, I was in what I unaffectionately call "last class"--the last row of the plane where there's no recline.

So perhaps I'm a bit spoiled. I'll give you that. But flying first class without paying anymore will do that to a person. Just got the email confirming my latest itinerary, too. Got first class, both directions. Aaahh...return to normalcy.

Update: But now I'll have to pay to redeem my miles for any free tickets. This is getting ridiculous....