When it comes to domestic travel, the carrier’s mileage upgrades often cost more than First Class.

Over the last couple years, Delta has offered very low domestic First Class fares on mid-haul routes (three to four hours each way); the flight-time that makes many start considering upgrading more seriously.

That’s a good thing, to be sure. In fact, it’s a great thing and it’s a reason to buy those tickets. (Choosing to earn miles for those flights in Delta’s SkyMiles program or another SkyTeam mileage program is another story for another time.)

Delta is a leader in offering published economy fares with a built-in cost to upgrade to First Class—which FCF refers to as “EasyUp” fares.

But—and it’s a big “but”—often Delta’s upgradeable economy fare costs more than a published First Class fare! That makes the use of miles for an upgrade worthless.

DELTA’S MILEAGE UPGRADES ARE DIFFERENT

Delta differs from the other major U.S. carriers (American, United, and US Airways), in that it doesn’t allow domestic upgrades on any economy fare. Instead, Delta only allows upgrades on K or higher fares (25,000 miles round-trip), which is generally $150 to $500 more than the lowest fares (X, V, T, U, and L). The other three charge a modest co-pay; Delta does not charge one.

DELTA’S DOMESTIC FIRST CLASS FARES

While Delta’s domestic EasyUp First Class fares are often the lowest economy fare, plus the built-in upgrade surcharge of $80 to $500, published First Class fares can start around $476 for mid-range flights such as Minneapolis to Seattle, whereas the upgradeable K fare can start at $596.

THE DELTA QUAGMIRE:

First Class fares are often less than upgradable economy

With Delta offering low First Class fares on many routes, and the mileage upgrade program based on only allowing mid-range economy fares, Delta, in effect, has turned the upgrade equation upside down on many routes.

Again take Minneapolis-Seattle: The upgradeable K fare is $596 ($120 more than First Class) plus 25,000 miles, which costs up to $900 to replace if you buy them. That’s crazy.

See the chart below for more routes on which it doesn’t make sense to use miles for an upgrade.

Sample of Delta Routes Where First Class is Cheaper than an Upgradeable Economy Fare

*Plus, you save 25,000 miles.

OTHER ISSUES WHEN USING MILES FOR AN UPGRADE

• Availability: Limited number of upgrade seats.

• Fewer Miles Earned: K fares earn 100%, whereas deeply discounted First Class tickets earn 150%.

• Fewer Medallion Miles Earned: K fares earn 100%, First Class tickets 150%.

WHEN TO USE MILES FOR AN UPGRADE

Most always on major long-haul, non-stop routes, especially the Transcon, or when EasyUp fares aren’t offered and fares are otherwise very high.

CONCLUSION

Always check the published First Class fare against Delta’s upgradeable K fare before deciding to use miles for an upgrade. That may sound simplistic, but most people fail to take this easy, money-saving step.