18sas

Do people think that DL was so naive and clueless when SDC was first formulated that they didn't realize that people might be able to buy a less expensive, less optimal flight and then use SDC to change to their preferred, but more expensive flight later?

And that they're just now realizing this, what, 8 years later, and have just figured out what to do about it?

indufan

No, they knew it all along. They weighed it. It either changed weight (unlikely IMHO) or they changed the scale.

mspphl

Over the last 12 months and 75ish flights I've only SDC'd 5 or 6 times, but still feel that it is a nice benefit that Delta offers. If they are really concerned with their top flyers taking advantage of them then why not allow 5-10 SDC a year that are an actual benefit to flyer and then the rest under the potential new rules.

Over the same 12 months Delta has cut back the number of flights on the routes I fly and increased the cost of the ticket so without status there is no difference between them and the other airlines. If I were to start my flying today it would be really tough to start any loyality towards them.

Traveller

True, I had to have M fares in 1999 and 2000 to use a PMU to Rome and London, but back then an M fare was only about $100 more than the LUT, so it might seem we didn't need an M fare.

lamont2718

Correct (unless you are able to SDC multiple times using intermediary flights -- e.g., 6am -> 8am -> 10pm -> 1pm)

It sounds like it, but this seems reasonable to me. Anyone who plans to SDC would surely know it before the departure of their original flight. I can think of only one instance in which a flyer could be adversely affected by this policy -- he or she unintentionally sleeps through the original flight and then wants to take a later one without penalty.

BamaGirl

Presuming most people's NCAA brackets are blown, perhaps we should start a pool on what the post number will be when a DL rep finally chimes in to acknowledge that the cat may have escaped the bag (presuming they do of course) .

Crazyhotelguy

Ditto....

My biggest beef here is the $50 fee gor DM outs ide the 3 hr window. DM is losing value by the moment....

flightline

I believe all of this devaluation nonsense--ALL of it--is related to one thing: AIRLINE CONSOLIDATION. Dropping from seven major carriers to just four is a massive shift in the industry, and these changes are only the tip of the iceberg.

Delta--and the others--no longer have to fight for your dollars. If they were really smart, they'd collude and simply all end FF programs at one fell swoop. Why give the customer something extra if you've got their business anyway? Give it to the shareholder instead.

These folks are having their day in the sun as they create a new thing called profit, something they've never seen before. Waiting in the wings, though, is a scary fact--the barriers to entry in this industry are relatively low. Find a big pocket or two, lease some planes, hire a few out-of-work pilots, set up a fly-by-night maintenance base, and BANG, you've got an airline.

In other words, I think it's only a matter of time until deregulation does what it does best and drives economic profits to zero. I for one will be cheering as I board the Easterns, TWAs, or Braniffs of the future. Enjoy it Delta. It won't last.

HongKonger

Deregulation was 30 years ago and the overwhelming trend has been toward consolidation. It's extremely unlikely that significant competition arises to challenge the big 4 (well, big 3.5).

I also like the joke about giving something to shareholders. Nice touch.

indufan

I disagree, I think the market is ripe for expansion again...assuming someone with lot of investment money is willing to give it a shot. It would help if fuel would go down.

For the record, I am NOT critical of Delta for making a profit and trying to make even more. It's the American way. Just try and not bite the hand that feeds you and I am getting a little tired of the us vs. them syndrome. But that is the increasing American way too.

Oakshadow

Meeting times changes, accident on the interstate are a couple of reasons I've missed my ticketed flight. I can't say how common it is though. Had a humerous experience SDCing for a later flight one time.

krpjr

While I have status with Delta still...I have only flown them twice this year and it was on an award ticket, and one ticket to LGA due to a cheap one way.

Beyond that I've been flying UA/AA, ditch Delta already and stop complaining!

mapsgl

Similar situation with us. I am President of a small organization 15 employees10 on the road and 8 with status on DL. 3 DM 2 PM 2 GM and one FO who loves AA ( where she is EXP)

I have been okay paying more -- sometimes a lot more - for my folks to fly DL. because of SDC flexibility. We have never gamed, it has been a nice benefit that I HAD been willing to pay a ticket premium for. Sometimes meetings end early or with NYC traffic there is a challenge making it to the airport.

I refuse to pay more in fees on top of what I'm paying in fares.

I clearly realize that the $384,344 my company spent with them in 2012 is rounding error to the folks on Virgina Avenue.

IF this change comes to pass I will change my travel policy immediately to a best value ticket policy.

Loyalty is a two way street my a**

sme2009

Glad I trusted my gut and status matched to UA last year after the SWU/award ticket debacle with AF. I love Delta but this devaluation is too much to bear. I plan on shifting all of my business to UA going forward.

HongKonger

New airlines come and go, mostly go, or they become niche players like the non-WN LCCs. It seems doubtful a new player will challenge the route network, especially international, and capacity of the legacies. The legacies will temporarily increase capacity and cut fares to drive them out, as they have always done since deregulation.

I also don't see fuel dropping significantly in price any time soon because all new oil finds are difficult and costly to extract or of lower quality but that is a topic for another thread.