Fewer mileage earning opportunities this year?

samonyc · May 7, 10, 2:46 pm

Does it seem like there have been fewer opportunities to earn miles so far this year, both MQM and redeemable? Last year we had double AmEx bonus miles, triple MQMs on new routes and gift MQMs. This year, some meager hotel and car bonuses, a few targeted promotions and — am I missing something?

Even SkyMiles Shopping is getting stingy. They denied me credit for buying contact lenses from VisionDirect because I linked through Drugstore.com instead of directly to VisionDirect. (Previously Drugstore.com was the only way to order from VisionDirect and earn bonus miles, or so I recall.)

Maybe Delta and AmEx are taking the "SkyPesos" devaluation criticism seriously. Or was 2009 simply an exceptional year for giveaways?

JSFox · May 7, 10, 2:50 pm

Hopefully they're taking the devaluation seriously. Given that DL award availability is 1/6th the industry average (and interestingly, about 1/6th of UA/CO) they need to do something - especially for those who don't have time to play games and gimmicks.

oldtirednbusy · May 7, 10, 3:03 pm

Since I am one of those who actually fly I am having no problem accumulating miles.
I hope Delta goes back to an actual FF program.

3Cforme · May 7, 10, 3:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by samonyc

am I missing something?

You are. Off the top of my head, there are again new route bonuses, plus the Together We Fly promo.

samonyc · May 7, 10, 4:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Cforme

You are. Off the top of my head, there are again new route bonuses, plus the Together We Fly promo.

Granted. I had only one trip, of just 2,002 miles, during the Together We Fly promo period, so I didn't think I'd be an asset to anyone's team. Likewise, my European travel plans for this year were set before the new routes were even announced.

For last year's AmEx double bonus miles, all I had to do was go to the places I was already going to go.

TravelFlea · May 7, 10, 5:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Cforme

You are. Off the top of my head, there are again new route bonuses, plus the Together We Fly promo.

What is the Together We Fly promo?

cellist · May 7, 10, 6:22 pm

I enjoyed the use of the word "earning" in the thread title

tholzer · May 7, 10, 7:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSFox

Hopefully they're taking the devaluation seriously. Given that DL award availability is 1/6th the industry average (and interestingly, about 1/6th of UA/CO) they need to do something - especially for those who don't have time to play games and gimmicks.

Do you have any basis for the statement that Delta award availability is 1/6th of the industry average?

samonyc · May 7, 10, 7:36 pm

Probably the stats in this thread:

What we thought we knew is confirmed: study shows DL has worst award availability

Myself, I had no problem burning though 220,000 miles at reasonable redemption levels last year, but I appear to the exception.

cfischer · May 7, 10, 7:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tholzer

Do you have any basis for the statement that Delta award availability is 1/6th of the industry average?

yes, personal experience. It is really horrible. I am thankful for O-class avail. on AF.

billcash3 · May 12, 10, 3:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtirednbusy

Since I am one of those who actually fly I am having no problem accumulating miles.
I hope Delta goes back to an actual FF program.

I completely agree. Butts in seats should be the basis for the program. (But I did do Together We Fly.)

-Bill

BusTrav8yrs · May 12, 10, 3:15 pm

With the economy in the tank, every airline was offering whatever they could to get people to fly last year.

This year seems a little different with recovery on everybody's mind, so I am sure the airlines are in wait and see mode right now.

BusTrav8yrs · May 12, 10, 3:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcash3

I completely agree. Butts in seats should be the basis for the program. (But I did do Together We Fly.)

-Bill

Oh please, get over it. You should take advantage of every opportunity and not be jealous of anyone else who does.

pdac1975 · May 12, 10, 5:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusTrav8yrs

Oh please, get over it. You should take advantage of every opportunity and not be jealous of anyone else who does.

I believe you missed the point. The person to whom you are responding to is not saying they wouldn't take advantage of promotions but is simply glad there are not as many as last year. I am 100% in agreement.

andymo99 · May 12, 10, 5:32 pm

One promo that DL (and NW) offered the past few years (2007-2009 for DL) was the partner promo that gave you bonus miles based on number of partners used in a certain window.