I wish Delta could...
Oct 24, 2014, 7:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: IND
Programs: DL DM, UA & AA Peeon, Hilton/Starwood Gold
Posts: 875
I wish Delta could...
...I'm sure we all have a way (or six) to finish this prompt. Today I would answer that I wish there were a way that higher level elites could be guaranteed a non-middle seat on intercontinental flights--or at least a seat in Economy Comfort. Just booked a ticket ten days out and only seats that show open right now are in the back of the bus and in the middle on a 777. I'm sure most of the EC seats are occupied by elites, but there's got to be some way to hold seats for close-in bookings (which end up being far more expensive and lucrative than an EC seat fee).
Last edited by CGNC; Oct 24, 2014 at 7:59 am
Oct 24, 2014, 7:56 am
#2
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There is a way DL could do that - by blocking more seats for elites. You see the threads by non-elites complaining about how too many seats are unavailable for reservation, right? You see the whines from family travelers who want a block (of three, or four, or...) but don't want to pay EC fees?
Oct 24, 2014, 8:22 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,072
Lack of good EC when booking close in annoys me, sure, but I've come to accept it as what I'm to expect for waiting to the last minute. Keep in mind I'm buying cheap fares anyway, so they're not earning any extra on my procrastination.
Oct 24, 2014, 8:35 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
Keep checking availability every day.
I've seen these move around quite a bit.
Also check at the gate, if the only seat showing availalbe for you is a middle at the back then the flight is probably pretty full, maybe even close to over sold - as many times all the coach seats are not assigned to non-preferred passengers - so they might have to bump up some elites to the front - you might get lucky and be one of them.
It's happened to me a few times, rare, but defintely nice when it does.
Good luck!
I've seen these move around quite a bit.
Also check at the gate, if the only seat showing availalbe for you is a middle at the back then the flight is probably pretty full, maybe even close to over sold - as many times all the coach seats are not assigned to non-preferred passengers - so they might have to bump up some elites to the front - you might get lucky and be one of them.
It's happened to me a few times, rare, but defintely nice when it does.
Good luck!
Oct 24, 2014, 8:39 am
#6
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Keep checking availability every day.
I've seen these move around quite a bit.
Also check at the gate, if the only seat showing availalbe for you is a middle at the back then the flight is probably pretty full, maybe even close to over sold - as many times all the coach seats are not assigned to non-preferred passengers - so they might have to bump up some elites to the front - you might get lucky and be one of them.
It's happened to me a few times, rare, but defintely nice when it does.
Good luck!
I've seen these move around quite a bit.
Also check at the gate, if the only seat showing availalbe for you is a middle at the back then the flight is probably pretty full, maybe even close to over sold - as many times all the coach seats are not assigned to non-preferred passengers - so they might have to bump up some elites to the front - you might get lucky and be one of them.
It's happened to me a few times, rare, but defintely nice when it does.
Good luck!
Oct 24, 2014, 8:47 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
Tried calling the DM to see if there's seats blocked for disabled/families? They could possibly put you in one of those, with the caveat that you may be bumped. At least that way you improve your odds of getting a EC seat.
Oct 24, 2014, 10:09 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
I was "bumped" up because of my status - and they were overbooked in coach, I guess not as many DM's on the flight, but didn't know and didn't ask, just said Thank you!
That in turn left my exit row seat open to be reassigned.
So I was suggesting the OP keep an eye on the seats everyday for openings and if the flight is infact oversold in Coach - depending on his status - check with the gate agent and he might get the bump - or at least to check if someone else got it and a better seat opened up, other than middle back.
I don't believe in my cases any SHENA's happened, just got lucky
Oct 24, 2014, 10:12 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: IND
Programs: DL DM, UA & AA Peeon, Hilton/Starwood Gold
Posts: 875
No, that's not how it was, I was actually in an exit row window on both occasions, my preferred seat option due to leg room.
I was "bumped" up because of my status - and they were overbooked in coach, I guess not as many DM's on the flight, but didn't know and didn't ask, just said Thank you!
That in turn left my exit row seat open to be reassigned.
So I was suggesting the OP keep an eye on the seats everyday for openings and if the flight is infact oversold in Coach - depending on his status - check with the gate agent and he might get the bump - or at least to check if someone else got it and a better seat opened up, other than middle back.
I don't believe in my cases any SHENA's happened, just got lucky
I was "bumped" up because of my status - and they were overbooked in coach, I guess not as many DM's on the flight, but didn't know and didn't ask, just said Thank you!
That in turn left my exit row seat open to be reassigned.
So I was suggesting the OP keep an eye on the seats everyday for openings and if the flight is infact oversold in Coach - depending on his status - check with the gate agent and he might get the bump - or at least to check if someone else got it and a better seat opened up, other than middle back.
I don't believe in my cases any SHENA's happened, just got lucky
Oct 24, 2014, 11:39 am
#11
Formerly known as jbalis
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Delta Diamond, Starwood Gold, National Executive, MGM Noir,
Posts: 342
a lot of it I think is due to 2pax wanting all 3 seats and booking isle and window and hoping nobody wants the middle seat, figure out how to stop that and there will be a lot more isle and window seats....
"I wish Delta could...." stop themselves from changing same day confirm and standby every 45 minutes, Richard Anderson can't even figure out whats going with that anymore.
"I wish Delta could...." stop themselves from changing same day confirm and standby every 45 minutes, Richard Anderson can't even figure out whats going with that anymore.
Oct 24, 2014, 11:42 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
I wish Delta could...
Find a way to consistently ice down a can of beer so that it's not 60 degrees Fahrenheit when served to me.
I mean, they can calculate how much fuel it takes to fly ATL-JNB and they can't consistently cover a tray of beer with the proper quantify of ice?
I mean, they can calculate how much fuel it takes to fly ATL-JNB and they can't consistently cover a tray of beer with the proper quantify of ice?
Oct 24, 2014, 11:47 am
#13
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carrying more ice to properly chill your beer adds more weight to the jet, and that changes their fuel calculations
