Originally Posted by
lwildernorva
When I read VTFW today, I had to check to see that it wasn't April Fools' Day. One of the most cynical posts I've seen from any travel blogger. For the proudly self-proclaimed author of the phrase "SkyPesos", a blogger who regularly pushes the viewpoint that the best use of Delta miles is generally on carriers other than Delta, and someone who rarely seems to write about actually flying on Delta to talk about the romance and loyalty of FF programs, but Delta's in particular, seemed ridiculous. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have no particular love for Delta, but I don't think their decision to move FF programs in a different direction is a bad business practice on its face--perhaps it will work, perhaps it won't, but it's not an irrational approach to try.
If, as has been speculated, Delta's reluctance to go all the way and make redemptions revenue based as well arises from Amex's demand that their $675 million investment in SkyMiles not be diminished by taking that step, then the old phrase, "money talks, BS walks" seems applicable here.
And, recently, Gary's been doing a lot of walking. . .
It has felt a bit odd recently, with some of the "coverage", that being one of them. FrequentMiler seems to have taken a pretty even, rational approach, as have others, but certainly not all the bloggers have been that way.
I tend to agree that there isn't anything necessarily illogical or inherently unfair about awarding RDMs based on dollar amount. As for the new tiers, the devil will be in the details as to availability and the new website functionality. Though one-ways at half price would help so one could mix and match with other programs that also have true one-ways.
It will definitely be interesting watching the blog coverage over the next year on this.