Delta Ends Food Vouchers for VDB passengers
#16
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
First, unless they mentioned this as part of the VDB package, i'm not sure one should expect it, regardless of what has been done in the past. It is becoming very clear the airlines are trimming the fat and passengers are on the loosing side of this.
Generally, people have a price. $400 VDB for an overnight, I can pay for my own meals. But if Delta is out to stiff us with a $150 voucher and no food for an overnight, I hope it goes IDB, forces DL to pay more and gets reported to the feds.
Remember, once we bow down to DL on this change (assuming it is a changed policy... not sure if that's been verified yet), what's next? Provide your own transport to the hotel? Provide your own hotel but the airline might offer "distressed traveler" discounts?
Sinking ship. It's not just DL
Oh yes, consolidation of airlines? Just lovely
Generally, people have a price. $400 VDB for an overnight, I can pay for my own meals. But if Delta is out to stiff us with a $150 voucher and no food for an overnight, I hope it goes IDB, forces DL to pay more and gets reported to the feds.
Remember, once we bow down to DL on this change (assuming it is a changed policy... not sure if that's been verified yet), what's next? Provide your own transport to the hotel? Provide your own hotel but the airline might offer "distressed traveler" discounts?
Sinking ship. It's not just DL
Oh yes, consolidation of airlines? Just lovely
#17
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Perhaps should merge with existing thread?? --
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...oing-away.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...oing-away.html
#18
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Delta Plat, National Executive
Posts: 165
A couple of weeks ago flying ATL - LAS it was overbooked and they were offering $400 to take flight about 4 hours later. I had been upgraded to First and requested to be booked into First on the new flight and was told, no, so then I requested a meal vouchers since I was losing the meal I was going to be served in First. However, they said no more food vouchers even for VDB, with no First seat and no meal voucher it wasn't worth $400 for a 4 hour + delay when I had already be delayed earlier in the day. VDB is helping Delta, food vouchers should be in mix.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: LA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 727
A couple of weeks ago flying ATL - LAS it was overbooked and they were offering $400 to take flight about 4 hours later. I had been upgraded to First and requested to be booked into First on the new flight and was told, no, so then I requested a meal vouchers since I was losing the meal I was going to be served in First. However, they said no more food vouchers even for VDB, with no First seat and no meal voucher it wasn't worth $400 for a 4 hour + delay when I had already be delayed earlier in the day. VDB is helping Delta, food vouchers should be in mix.
#20
Used to be 'rockferd'
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I don't find food vouchers very valuable as I'd rather have the choice of whether to eat in the airport, in the hotel, elsewhere, or just grab some snacks such as in the lounge. With airlines not providing much food on board, generally people should have planned to purchase food anyway if they didn't bring something.
#21
Used to be 'rockferd'
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Perhaps should merge with existing thread?? --
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...oing-away.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...oing-away.html
Last edited by DoubleWidesFly; Mar 4, 2014 at 7:43 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
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If you really want to help the airline, refuse to take the voucher. Now that would be kindness and loyalty.
Besides, the vouchers are small. Last time I got one was $7. Yes, helpful but not much of a meal. IMO, much too small an amount to worry about whether or not to take a bump.
#23
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You had me until here. Someone who VDB's is not doing it out of the kindness of their heart to help the airline. They do it because they want a voucher. A big voucher. And an UG to F is they can pull that off, too.
If you really want to help the airline, refuse to take the voucher. Now that would be kindness and loyalty.
Besides, the vouchers are small. Last time I got one was $7. Yes, helpful but not much of a meal. IMO, much too small an amount to worry about whether or not to take a bump.
If you really want to help the airline, refuse to take the voucher. Now that would be kindness and loyalty.
Besides, the vouchers are small. Last time I got one was $7. Yes, helpful but not much of a meal. IMO, much too small an amount to worry about whether or not to take a bump.
#24
Used to be 'rockferd'
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#25
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Osaka
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Posts: 581
Delta is a cheap airline now. They have little competition anymore. After their own merger and other mergers Delta has limited competition. consumers have little choice. Delta has little incentive to provide good service anymore as they can make money even if the service is awful as it is now.
#26
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Just last week I flew SJU-ATL-SAN. in ATL i took a VDB and received overnight accommodations plus a $400 VDB. When I inquired about the food voucher for dinner/breakfast I was told that DL did away w/ food vouchers for all passengers, even those who bumped on 1/7/14. I couldn't believe the red coat working the flight so I checked with 3 other red coats + 2 customer service desks (terminal T and A) and I was told the same thing!
I wrote up my entire encounter here as I was shocked by this policy change. Has anyone else came across this or is this just ATL that has ended the meal vouchers for displaced passengers who are doing the airline a favor?
I wrote up my entire encounter here as I was shocked by this policy change. Has anyone else came across this or is this just ATL that has ended the meal vouchers for displaced passengers who are doing the airline a favor?
Got a small voucher for a VDB last Friday
#27
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors, Priority Club, Marriott, National, Avis
Posts: 60
In late January my flight from MCO to SLC had a 3+ hour MX delay, causing me to miss my connection, with no alternatives until the next day. Delta paid for my hotel, but provided no meal vouchers. It was the first time I've ever had any significant delay without a meal voucher (in recent years it was a temporary credit card number with a pre-set spend amount).
#28
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,380
Oh, please. There are lots of examples of how there is less competitive force in the industry, but this isn't one of them. No one books air travel on the basis of an airline's past generosity in cases if VDB. It's "V" for a reason -- if you don't like the deal on the table, don't volunteer to take it. As long as someone is willing to take it, it's generous enough.
#29
Join Date: May 2013
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I took a VDB at ELP this morning. I didn't negotiate for a meal voucher because I had already eaten breakfast and was rebooked onto a lunch flight. After handing me the VDB paperwork and new BPs, the agent tried to print a meal voucher. She wasn't able to print it but told me to wait for the red coat who would be able to print one. All passengers who took the bump (at least 4) received $10 meal vouchers.
I see there is no airport listed on the voucher, and it expires tomorrow night. Does that mean I can use it for dinner at ATL or even at my destination tonight?
I see there is no airport listed on the voucher, and it expires tomorrow night. Does that mean I can use it for dinner at ATL or even at my destination tonight?