Should I come back?
Nov 10, 2015, 3:02 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL DM, SPG Gold
Posts: 832
In contrast to what I said about miles being harder to use now in 2015, my upgrades have been significantly better this year than they were last year. Service is about the same as always (meaning, better than WN/UA/AA imo).
Nov 10, 2015, 7:21 am
#17
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just relocated to Phoenix, so I guess that does it for Delta for me
Programs: DL "Annual" GM 2MM, AA lifetime Gold 1MM, Hilton Gold, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 337
For #6, I always order double drinks on the first pass, because unless it's a really long flight they only make one pass. And the snack basket (a version of the one in FC), is only offered on longer flights. My flights are mostly under 2 hours and C+ gets the same peanuts/cookies/pretzels as the rest of the main cabin.
Jun 6, 2016, 2:13 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,426
So AA announced further changes that will make their program look essentially, just like Delta's. However, with a much worse hard product and CS.
So, I was hoping if any of you would be willing to let me know what your upgrade percentages look like so far this year as Platinum and/or Diamond. Thanks so much!
So, I was hoping if any of you would be willing to let me know what your upgrade percentages look like so far this year as Platinum and/or Diamond. Thanks so much!
Jun 6, 2016, 2:26 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Meechigan
Posts: 1,006
So AA announced further changes that will make their program look essentially, just like Delta's. However, with a much worse hard product and CS.
So, I was hoping if any of you would be willing to let me know what your upgrade percentages look like so far this year as Platinum and/or Diamond. Thanks so much!
So, I was hoping if any of you would be willing to let me know what your upgrade percentages look like so far this year as Platinum and/or Diamond. Thanks so much!
Jun 6, 2016, 2:41 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Ambassador Platinum
Posts: 90
Jun 6, 2016, 2:44 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,426
Jun 6, 2016, 3:32 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
As a DM MM, today I chose not to buy FC. I am in C+ from MCO-DTW-DEN. #5 for 3 MCO-DTW, & #4 for 1 on DTW-DEN. I am currently in 3/4 of my C+ seat as I know I am not small, but my seat mate takes the prize.... The 3 Woodfords have helped, but I may need a chiropractor after this flight.
Thank you DL for showing me that loyalty means nothing. When I leave my current company (soon ) & am booking my own tix, it is FC, on the cheapest, most direct flight. I saw the light and now know that loyalty means nothing.
Thank you Delta for showing me the errors of my ways.
Thank you DL for showing me that loyalty means nothing. When I leave my current company (soon ) & am booking my own tix, it is FC, on the cheapest, most direct flight. I saw the light and now know that loyalty means nothing.
Thank you Delta for showing me the errors of my ways.
Jun 6, 2016, 3:37 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Delta GM/1.5MM ~ United Silver ~ Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,434
Check out the upgrade thread - as an FO I'm doing better than some DM's even - it's all about the route, day of the week and time of day. If you can configure your travel patterns around non-peak time, as a PM/DM you'll do great.
If 99% of your flights are ATL-LAX and back on Monday AM's or Friday afternoons, well then, as a DM you're sitting in the back unless you RUC/GUC it.
If 99% of your flights are ATL-LAX and back on Monday AM's or Friday afternoons, well then, as a DM you're sitting in the back unless you RUC/GUC it.
Jun 6, 2016, 3:39 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
So AA announced further changes that will make their program look essentially, just like Delta's. However, with a much worse hard product and CS.
So, I was hoping if any of you would be willing to let me know what your upgrade percentages look like so far this year as Platinum and/or Diamond. Thanks so much!
So, I was hoping if any of you would be willing to let me know what your upgrade percentages look like so far this year as Platinum and/or Diamond. Thanks so much!
Flying ATL-NYC and back on Mondays/Thursdays, I experience almost zero UGs as a PM. But if I fly ATL-NYC at noon on a Wednesday and then back on a Saturday, I've got probably an 80% shot of getting upgraded at the gate. And if I fly to random midwestern cities almost any day of the week, it's basically a guaranteed upgrade at the advance PM window.
If you come back to DL, come back for the schedules, routes, and performance. As others have mentioned, DL is doing everything they can to sell FC and keep people with coach tickets behind the curtain. And it's working - their FC fares and same-day flexibility make them quite worthwhile for me to buy on many of those ATL-NYC trips.
Jun 6, 2016, 3:55 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,426
Sorry, I should have been more specific. I'm very flexible with times as I usually get to pick my schedule... So I can fly wed - sats for example.
As far as routes, I'm a lobbyist so I fly to dca a lot. I'm out of Abq so I was in Atl a lot. And to a lesser extent SLC and MSP.
I also fly to Nyc and sju quite a bit.
As far as routes, I'm a lobbyist so I fly to dca a lot. I'm out of Abq so I was in Atl a lot. And to a lesser extent SLC and MSP.
I also fly to Nyc and sju quite a bit.
Jun 6, 2016, 4:02 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond + 1MM; AA Gold; UA Gold
Posts: 185
Sorry, I should have been more specific. I'm very flexible with times as I usually get to pick my schedule... So I can fly wed - sats for example.
As far as routes, I'm a lobbyist so I fly to dca a lot. I'm out of Abq so I was in Atl a lot. And to a lesser extent SLC and MSP.
I also fly to Nyc and sju quite a bit.
As far as routes, I'm a lobbyist so I fly to dca a lot. I'm out of Abq so I was in Atl a lot. And to a lesser extent SLC and MSP.
I also fly to Nyc and sju quite a bit.
Also, I do find that C+ transcon is a nicer experience. In addition to the leg room, there are free "snack / meals," alcohol, and the amenity kits. True none of these independently are worth a whole lot, but they do add up to something, not nothing.
"Loyalty programs" today are really about finding what specifically you value and which of the big 3 can most closely deliver it with regularity. And sadly, you may find that with the way air travel is going, nobody can deliver these days. But for me, DL is the closest by far.
Jun 6, 2016, 4:10 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: AA GLD Skymiles DM MM, a+ rewards lifetime elite, AS, Marriott plat, PC plat, HH gold
Posts: 1,275
I am coming back! I had a good couple of years at AA but based in ATL with advantage now much weaker than Skymiles it is a no brainer. My observations
AA
I had great saver award redemptions with AA to great destinations at peak times but that has really dried up recently. I enjoyed the extra miles I collected from connections. $ based these advantages will no longer exist. AA never gave me any problems and I would say the service has been very good. Without AA having any real advantage over DL now, DL wins.
DL
Award seats getting much better. 4 seats at low level to GCM during 2017 spring break. ATL-NYC many low options. Low options to Europe as well. Non-stops are much more valuable in the $ based FF world. DL amex makes it easy to maintain elite status. Amex plat for club access. C+ is way better than MCE right now. Skybonus beats businessextra.
AA
I had great saver award redemptions with AA to great destinations at peak times but that has really dried up recently. I enjoyed the extra miles I collected from connections. $ based these advantages will no longer exist. AA never gave me any problems and I would say the service has been very good. Without AA having any real advantage over DL now, DL wins.
DL
Award seats getting much better. 4 seats at low level to GCM during 2017 spring break. ATL-NYC many low options. Low options to Europe as well. Non-stops are much more valuable in the $ based FF world. DL amex makes it easy to maintain elite status. Amex plat for club access. C+ is way better than MCE right now. Skybonus beats businessextra.
Jun 7, 2016, 8:03 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 385
Switch?
Hello! Some of you may remember me from 4 + years ago when I occasionally posted on this board.
So after trying to convince DL to provide upgrade certificates that could be used on any fare to no avail, I switched to AA about four years ago. I have been their top tier and their lowest tier through the years and have been generally OK with AA. However, with the merger and the upcoming changes to the FFP at AA, I'm beginning to wonder if I should come back to DL. I was one of the "charter Diamonds" when the program came out and my upgrades were near 100%.
So I thought I would post some questions I have since it's been so long since I flew DL and I know lots has changed...
1) What are Diamond upgrades like these days?
2) Can you use the 4 global certificates on any fare?
3) While I know "skypesos" have always been hard to use, has any of that changed now that miles are harder to earn?
4) Just want to make sure I read correctly that if you spend over $25k on a DL Amex the min spend is waived. I don't book over $15k/year, so that's why I ask that.
5) How would you say the DL service has changed over the past five years? It seems to have gotten more reliable with fewer cancellations etc.
6) Do you get unlimited food/drinks when in comfort +?
Hope all of you have been well!
So after trying to convince DL to provide upgrade certificates that could be used on any fare to no avail, I switched to AA about four years ago. I have been their top tier and their lowest tier through the years and have been generally OK with AA. However, with the merger and the upcoming changes to the FFP at AA, I'm beginning to wonder if I should come back to DL. I was one of the "charter Diamonds" when the program came out and my upgrades were near 100%.
So I thought I would post some questions I have since it's been so long since I flew DL and I know lots has changed...
1) What are Diamond upgrades like these days?
2) Can you use the 4 global certificates on any fare?
3) While I know "skypesos" have always been hard to use, has any of that changed now that miles are harder to earn?
4) Just want to make sure I read correctly that if you spend over $25k on a DL Amex the min spend is waived. I don't book over $15k/year, so that's why I ask that.
5) How would you say the DL service has changed over the past five years? It seems to have gotten more reliable with fewer cancellations etc.
6) Do you get unlimited food/drinks when in comfort +?
Hope all of you have been well!
JetBlue and Southwest are good, but they don't go where I often go: SIN, KUL, LHR, AMS, CDG, etc. So, select one and go with it. They will be or are now darn near the same.
Someone once asked Nelson Mandela why he was not more angry. His answer was, “If I thought it would be useful, I would be.”