Has Delta finally thrown their Diamonds away?
Sep 25, 2012, 7:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta-Diamond Medallion, United-Premier 1K, Hilton-Gold, SPG-Gold, National-Executive, Hertz-Preside
Posts: 365
Has Delta finally thrown their Diamonds away?
I am so frustrated right now, I am seriously thinking about looking at other airlines to pledge my loyalty to. Don't have plans for this weekend so thought I would look at some possibilities for this weekend. Have done this many times before and, as a Diamond, I USED to be able to pick flights a few days out and get an "upgrade available" seat on the spot. This morning I've literally looked at over 30 cities and who knows how many flights, on K or better fares and not one offered an upgrade immediately, only "upgrade eligible". One flight had over 20 BE seats available. I'm literally fuming. How many times does Delta think they can tell their Diamonds to "f you" before we start going elsewhere?
Sep 25, 2012, 7:59 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
I am so frustrated right now, I am seriously thinking about looking at other airlines to pledge my loyalty to. Don't have plans for this weekend so thought I would look at some possibilities for this weekend. Have done this many times before and, as a Diamond, I USED to be able to pick flights a few days out and get an "upgrade available" seat on the spot. This morning I've literally looked at over 30 cities and who knows how many flights, on K or better fares and not one offered an upgrade immediately, only "upgrade eligible". One flight had over 20 BE seats available. I'm literally fuming. How many times does Delta think they can tell their Diamonds to "f you" before we start going elsewhere?
I think they are looking to find a Mendoza line as we type.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:05 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
August Domestic Load Factor = 87.1%
August Domestic Mainline Load Factor = 88.6%
What do folks expect? This ain't personal.
By all means, though, look around. I'm sure the grass is greener somewhere else.
August Domestic Mainline Load Factor = 88.6%
What do folks expect? This ain't personal.
By all means, though, look around. I'm sure the grass is greener somewhere else.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:09 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Atlantic Beach, Florida, USA
Posts: 1,000
With all of the problems at AA, this would seem to be the time that other airlines would keep all revenue streams open. I agree that 20 open BE seats may not make sense.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:09 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
DM is overrated. There are too many of us.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:13 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
I have to agree - I would not flee to American or United at the moment. UGs are clearly stated as capacity available or similar wording.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:15 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
Delta - about 100 (I stopped counting)
Next highest:
United - 6
Sep 25, 2012, 8:24 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,246
I agree it is frustrating...but it's not like these planes are leaving with empty F seats. They're giving them to you - you just have to wait at the gate.
(which incidentally, helped me when I had to SDC my flight last week)
(which incidentally, helped me when I had to SDC my flight last week)
Sep 25, 2012, 8:27 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
Because it was a 320, there weren't many people who weren't elite.
Bob H
Sep 25, 2012, 8:30 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,417
Remember that the "upgrade" list at the gate includes FOs, companions, partner elites, etc. and IIRC nonrev standbys. The real question is where the cutoff was for the last FC seat in terms of status, fare class, and Reserve card.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:30 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta-Diamond Medallion, United-Premier 1K, Hilton-Gold, SPG-Gold, National-Executive, Hertz-Preside
Posts: 365
Actually
Both UAL and USA have a couple flights a day to where I often go. AND for cheaper. UAL has their status match program. I'm not leaving DAL anytime soon but I would like some answers from them, which I've posed directly to them and to @deltaassist.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:31 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta-Diamond Medallion, United-Premier 1K, Hilton-Gold, SPG-Gold, National-Executive, Hertz-Preside
Posts: 365
A gate upgrade is a pain if you prefer a certain seat.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:37 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: London
Programs: DL FO, BA Bronze, Avis Preferred
Posts: 851
It seems to me you are overreacting. Yeah, it's a bummer you can't get an immediate upgrade, but as a Diamond with a K fare, you still have a decent chance of a BFUG. I'm sure Delta isn't sending planes out with empty FC seats.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:42 am
#14
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Actually, DL does sometimes send out planes with empty FC seats that elites are entitled to get. There's been an active thread here during the last week about a GA who didn't process the upgrade list, even when prompted by a passenger who IIRC was #1 for 3 seats.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:44 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
FCM and A320 is a bad combination. I had a flight last week DTW-LGA that at T8 had 11 FC seats open, at T7 it was down to 6 at the gate was #4 with 1 seat open.
I was on a T fare but a DM with Reserve (like that works
) I never had a chance of an upgrade 
There absolutely are people buying the P fares, have them next to me all the time, one next to me a few months ago was not even a elite and told me there was a $5 difference from the coach fare and the P fare when he booked.
I was on a T fare but a DM with Reserve (like that works
) I never had a chance of an upgrade There absolutely are people buying the P fares, have them next to me all the time, one next to me a few months ago was not even a elite and told me there was a $5 difference from the coach fare and the P fare when he booked.