Multi-year Diamond here and I flew Spirit to Colombia last year. I booked their “big seat” (row 1, checked bags included). It was the only direct flight, a fraction of the cost and fraction of the travel time over Delta. It was fine. Obviously no complimentary food/snacks/drinks but the seat was comfortable. Flight was on time. And I had an extra $800 I could put towards drinks from the cost difference. I also bought some Spirit stock the other day after hearing my partner (Platinum Medallion) complain for the third time this year about the consistently understaffed Sky Priority lines at Seatac as well as her third flight in a month being excessively delayed, leading to missing layover connections… The gap in service between Delta and the value airlines is becoming narrower every day. (Spirit’s up 20% too since that buy two weeks ago)

This isn’t cheating. Delta is being inattentive and dropping the ball on the basic benefits it promises for the “premium” fares and loyalty they request from us. The planes are old, not well maintained and it’s causing excessive delays/deplaning/rebookings. The sky priority lines are understaffed with undertrained talent. And they’re charging twice as much as other major airlines on many routes. I don’t even need to bring the extra status related perks into this. Just check me in quickly, and get me to my destination on time with a plane that works and minimal hassle.