Bottom line, such a promotion will pour dollars into DL's coffers at a time when business is slow.
I think you are overstating what will happen. Business people aren't going to start hopping onto flights just for the fun of it. Business isn't going to magically pick up since the airlines are offering double miles or MQMs.
Many leisure travelers are already out of the vacation travel market (or considerably down) due to their personal finances and getting more funny money for real money doesn't exactly work for them right now. Additionally, we here at FT often forget about the masses who don't give a d#$# about double MQMs since they will never use status.
Now, would Delta do this as a defensive manuever to not lose more business - probably. Would they do it to increase business, unlikely, because the results are likely minimal at best in the current environment.
Programs: Marriott Platinum, NW Gold, UA 3P, NCL Gold
Posts: 1,469
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazygrow
I think you are overstating what will happen. Business people aren't going to start hopping onto flights just for the fun of it. Business isn't going to magically pick up since the airlines are offering double miles or MQMs.
Many leisure travelers are already out of the vacation travel market (or considerably down) due to their personal finances and getting more funny money for real money doesn't exactly work for them right now. Additionally, we here at FT often forget about the masses who don't give a d#$# about double MQMs since they will never use status.
Now, would Delta do this as a defensive manuever to not lose more business - probably. Would they do it to increase business, unlikely, because the results are likely minimal at best in the current environment.
This is exactly what I was talking about in my comments earlier in this thread.
Double miles: I will book two trips immediately, and another two during the summer. Otherwise, I will only travel once this summer ("summer" defined as March 20 - Sep 8).
Triple miles: I will book two trips immediately, and another four during the summer. Otherwise, I will only travel once this summer.
Last year, many of us had many minutes wasted on the phones with SMS trying to get double MQMs credited in cases of misconnected flights, SDCs etc, changed return flights with change fee etc.
You aren't kidding! Took me almost six months to get my deqm's.
I might look into a SYD trip if it were to fall within a deqm promo period. Definitely something, though.
1.) Trip to LAS (was going to book DL/NW anyways to be on the same flights as a friend)
2.) Trip to ATL for the DL DO
3.) Trip to FRA (just because).
(So in my case, DL would get $550 or so on a FRA run short-term, but UA would gain a bit more longer term...)
Would have requalified for me for Platinum by Memorial Day weekend. Gives me lots of time to earn Premier Executive on United, and I'd consider going for 1K...
I think you are overstating what will happen. Business people aren't going to start hopping onto flights just for the fun of it. Business isn't going to magically pick up since the airlines are offering double miles or MQMs.
Many leisure travelers are already out of the vacation travel market (or considerably down) due to their personal finances and getting more funny money for real money doesn't exactly work for them right now. Additionally, we here at FT often forget about the masses who don't give a d#$# about double MQMs since they will never use status.
Now, would Delta do this as a defensive manuever to not lose more business - probably. Would they do it to increase business, unlikely, because the results are likely minimal at best in the current environment.
I agree 100%. My company is not suddenly going to start flying me more so I can get "double miles" LOL!
I don't understand AA's logic behind starting this nonsense. But this is an industry where logic in management descions is difficult to follow LOL!
And looking at the trend on here I think that if DL is reading this they are saying "this is going to cost us money, those 'loyal' flyers are going to get to PM faster and head over to another airline for status too" LOL!
I think you are overstating what will happen. Business people aren't going to start hopping onto flights just for the fun of it. Business isn't going to magically pick up since the airlines are offering double miles or MQMs.
Many leisure travelers are already out of the vacation travel market (or considerably down) due to their personal finances and getting more funny money for real money doesn't exactly work for them right now. Additionally, we here at FT often forget about the masses who don't give a d#$# about double MQMs since they will never use status.
Now, would Delta do this as a defensive manuever to not lose more business - probably. Would they do it to increase business, unlikely, because the results are likely minimal at best in the current environment.
I agree. I actually gave Delta a couple of days to match (I am a GM with them). My other-half just landed a commuting position in San Juan and we both live in Tampa. I was waiting to see if Delta would match the 2EQM on AA, as I was willing to fly through ATL to get to SJU if they did. They haven't, so I just enrolled in the AA Platinum Challenge and booked 6 RT tickets through June to San Juan direct. In other words, I just gave AA a little over $7K, that Delta would have received otherwise. Plus I will get PLT status on AA after the first 5 legs of my trips.
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I would probably do the same as last year - one transcon MR. I got ATL-SFO last year for around $200.
I would also enjoy the bonus on my business travel, which, so far, is running about equal to last year.
Right now, I think I can get to PM again on BIS miles (or potentially segments) alone. I'd rather just do an end of year MR than regret missing out on a DEQM promo for a number of DL itins I've already booked.
I vote no on the promo, but I'm pretty confident we're gonna get it anyway. I like the idea upthread about making it a 'challenge' and you have to hit a certain number to trigger the bonus.
I'll get PM on business trips anyway, but I'd probably just book the pleasure trips that I'd be taking even though I may get a better price if I waited for one of their "super sales"...
TPA - LGW
TPA - LAS
TPA - SEA or YVR
TPA - LAX or one of the LA area airports...
I just calculated it... those trips alone would almost give me silver...
With UA matching AA, I think DL and CO may have to jump on board with this. I know if they don't, and having just lost my DL status, I am going to give AA a try out of JFK or UA.
