Delta's Frequent Flier program - disappointing
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM 1MM, AA Plat 2 MM, Marriott Ambassador & LTP, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 264
Delta's Frequent Flier program - disappointing
I'm a 2MM American flier (Platinum) and been Delta Gold since mid last year.
Being NYC based - Delta seems like a good choice to pickup as my second airline, especially since they have a slightly better set of nonstop to my most frequent destinations. I got Gold status (equivalent to my AA Plat) - and so far.
1) Schedule - good/ better than AA out of NYC
2) on time performance - on par with AA
3) Airplanes - worse than AA, but not substantially
4) Service - mediocre - comparable to AA
5) Lounges - slightly better than AA, except in the case of showers (which is worse)
6) Frequent Flier program - so horrible I have to consider stopping flying them
For #6, my disappointment comes from 2 sources
1) Earnings are HORRIBLE. I buy a mix of cheap Y, high Y, and low F fares. Probably about 50% discounted F. That was masking the problem. But basically if I fly a cheap AA fare Transcon oneway - I got 5k miles. On Delta I get 1.5k. If I buy cheap F, on AA I get 5.5k, on Delta its usually under 5k.
2) Miles are valueless ! I can get an award tix to europe for 30k one way in coach on AA all the time (often with fees). I get 25k for one way first class transcon often. For Delta most of the time its 65k to EU, 45k domestically. I thought it was seasonal or bad luck - but I've been checking since October pretty much every week.
How can miles earning be so much lower AND miles redemption cost so much more. Its not an attractive program for a mid tier elite. I'm torn between trying to drive to Platinum- or giving up on Delta. (Have a stack of Full Fare J/F travel coming up I can route either way).
Any insights?
Being NYC based - Delta seems like a good choice to pickup as my second airline, especially since they have a slightly better set of nonstop to my most frequent destinations. I got Gold status (equivalent to my AA Plat) - and so far.
1) Schedule - good/ better than AA out of NYC
2) on time performance - on par with AA
3) Airplanes - worse than AA, but not substantially
4) Service - mediocre - comparable to AA
5) Lounges - slightly better than AA, except in the case of showers (which is worse)
6) Frequent Flier program - so horrible I have to consider stopping flying them
For #6, my disappointment comes from 2 sources
1) Earnings are HORRIBLE. I buy a mix of cheap Y, high Y, and low F fares. Probably about 50% discounted F. That was masking the problem. But basically if I fly a cheap AA fare Transcon oneway - I got 5k miles. On Delta I get 1.5k. If I buy cheap F, on AA I get 5.5k, on Delta its usually under 5k.
2) Miles are valueless ! I can get an award tix to europe for 30k one way in coach on AA all the time (often with fees). I get 25k for one way first class transcon often. For Delta most of the time its 65k to EU, 45k domestically. I thought it was seasonal or bad luck - but I've been checking since October pretty much every week.
How can miles earning be so much lower AND miles redemption cost so much more. Its not an attractive program for a mid tier elite. I'm torn between trying to drive to Platinum- or giving up on Delta. (Have a stack of Full Fare J/F travel coming up I can route either way).
Any insights?
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: DL, Hilton, National
Posts: 841
Can't argue with your observations about earning and redeeming miles. It is true Delta is harder to deal with and often not as generous as other airlines.
For me, as for many DL loyalists, the payoff in earning through credit card partners (including MQM with mileage boosts), the aircraft and inflight entertainment and service, and most especially the service and their commitment to treating their elite travelers well is the payoff. I'm amazed how well DL handles IROPS, customer service issues, and interactions with elite travelers. Even as a PM, I feel they really respond to my concerns during travel.
If you really want to complain, you might want to add number 7: the website and online redemption is a disaster.
For me, as for many DL loyalists, the payoff in earning through credit card partners (including MQM with mileage boosts), the aircraft and inflight entertainment and service, and most especially the service and their commitment to treating their elite travelers well is the payoff. I'm amazed how well DL handles IROPS, customer service issues, and interactions with elite travelers. Even as a PM, I feel they really respond to my concerns during travel.
If you really want to complain, you might want to add number 7: the website and online redemption is a disaster.
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
8) DL deliberately tries to hide information from customers: upgrade and award availability, fare rules, everything on EF including MCTs, etc.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,102
Indeed, Platinum does not help much. In terms of redemption on Delta: I have had good luck when redeeming transatlantic business award tickets 11 months in advance (some flexibility with the dates helps too). Transatlantic award redemption a few months in advance tends to be expensive in terms of the number of miles they want. Yes, I agree that Delta does not have a competitive edge if mileage earning or redemption are important to you, and I have taken much of my travel to other carriers as well.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Adult fare, taxes and carrier-imposed fees
Base fare $0.00 USD
Per person
CARRIER-IMPOSED FEES $258.00 USD
PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE $34.60 USD
UNITED KINGDOM
TRANSPORTATION TAX $17.70 USD
UNITED STATES
PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE $4.50 USD
UNITED STATES
US SECURITY FEE $5.60 USD
UNITED STATES
Total Adult taxes and carrier-imposed fees
$320.40 USD
Per person
Delta's total is $25.60 thru CDG, $21 thru AMS, $24.60 thru FCO, and $5.60 on its own non-stop.
#8
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
I haven't seen much mention of this recently, but, when DL, then shortly thereafter, UA made the major mods to the FF programs, everyone here threatened to jump ship to AA, but it was said that when their merger stuff is finished, they're expected to more or less match the DL & UA scheme.
Any thoughts? How long can they continue paying out large amounts of miles on cheap fares when their biggest competitors don't?
Any thoughts? How long can they continue paying out large amounts of miles on cheap fares when their biggest competitors don't?
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
I haven't seen much mention of this recently, but, when DL, then shortly thereafter, UA made the major mods to the FF programs, everyone here threatened to jump ship to AA, but it was said that when their merger stuff is finished, they're expected to more or less match the DL & UA scheme.
Any thoughts? How long can they continue paying out large amounts of miles on cheap fares when their biggest competitors don't?
Any thoughts? How long can they continue paying out large amounts of miles on cheap fares when their biggest competitors don't?
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
AA has been saying that they will change the program after the merger, but they also say that it won't be exactly the same as DL and UA.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
I'm a 2MM American flier (Platinum) and been Delta Gold since mid last year.
Being NYC based - Delta seems like a good choice to pickup as my second airline, especially since they have a slightly better set of nonstop to my most frequent destinations. I got Gold status (equivalent to my AA Plat) - and so far.
1) Schedule - good/ better than AA out of NYC
2) on time performance - on par with AA
3) Airplanes - worse than AA, but not substantially
4) Service - mediocre - comparable to AA
5) Lounges - slightly better than AA, except in the case of showers (which is worse)
6) Frequent Flier program - so horrible I have to consider stopping flying them
Being NYC based - Delta seems like a good choice to pickup as my second airline, especially since they have a slightly better set of nonstop to my most frequent destinations. I got Gold status (equivalent to my AA Plat) - and so far.
1) Schedule - good/ better than AA out of NYC
2) on time performance - on par with AA
3) Airplanes - worse than AA, but not substantially
4) Service - mediocre - comparable to AA
5) Lounges - slightly better than AA, except in the case of showers (which is worse)
6) Frequent Flier program - so horrible I have to consider stopping flying them
2) DL has better on time numbers than AA overall.
3) I don't know about that. My wife, who is AA Plat, is always impressed on how clean and nice looking DL planes are.
4) Again, my wife thinks service on DL is better.
5) Don't know
6) Well, I fly a company that provides me a service, not a FF program. If you are interested in a FF program that provides awards, DL is not the program for you.
As Dieuwer stated, you should credit to AS if you are interested in awards. You won't get free bags or SkyPriority service, but you'll get usable miles. Plus, AS is a very good airline.
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
1) That's up to you and your flying pattern. AA doesn't go everywhere I want to go, but that's me.
2) DL has better on time numbers than AA overall.
3) I don't know about that. My wife, who is AA Plat, is always impressed on how clean and nice looking DL planes are.
4) Again, my wife thinks service on DL is better.
5) Don't know
6) Well, I fly a company that provides me a service, not a FF program. If you are interested in a FF program that provides awards, DL is not the program for you.
As Dieuwer stated, you should credit to AS if you are interested in awards. You won't get free bags or SkyPriority service, but you'll get usable miles. Plus, AS is a very good airline.
2) DL has better on time numbers than AA overall.
3) I don't know about that. My wife, who is AA Plat, is always impressed on how clean and nice looking DL planes are.
4) Again, my wife thinks service on DL is better.
5) Don't know
6) Well, I fly a company that provides me a service, not a FF program. If you are interested in a FF program that provides awards, DL is not the program for you.
As Dieuwer stated, you should credit to AS if you are interested in awards. You won't get free bags or SkyPriority service, but you'll get usable miles. Plus, AS is a very good airline.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM 1MM, AA Plat 2 MM, Marriott Ambassador & LTP, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 264
So the quality of airplane comment is very very route dependent.
I've noticed a common route for me - San Diego to JFK on the redeye was often a VERY old 767. That being said, it looks like its been replaced with a 737.
For both AA and Delta - its all about getting a new or newly refurbished AC.
I do like the availability of cheap F fares on Delta - especially in advance.
As for the speculation AA will devalue their program - I am sure they will but so what. I try to not make my decisions based on future speculation. I.e. what if AA doesn't devalue for 2 years - or the devaluation is minor. We'll see.
I've noticed a common route for me - San Diego to JFK on the redeye was often a VERY old 767. That being said, it looks like its been replaced with a 737.
For both AA and Delta - its all about getting a new or newly refurbished AC.
I do like the availability of cheap F fares on Delta - especially in advance.
As for the speculation AA will devalue their program - I am sure they will but so what. I try to not make my decisions based on future speculation. I.e. what if AA doesn't devalue for 2 years - or the devaluation is minor. We'll see.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,616
I haven't seen much mention of this recently, but, when DL, then shortly thereafter, UA made the major mods to the FF programs, everyone here threatened to jump ship to AA, but it was said that when their merger stuff is finished, they're expected to more or less match the DL & UA scheme.
Lets not forget the FC meals on AA; rather than bring US up to AA standards, they slashed AA to "meet" in the middle. I've never seen such a backlash from flyers..not even on UA and a quick turnaround from September's decision into making catering substantially better.
Sounds like it's going to be even worse