Originally Posted by
iflyalexair
Virgin. It was actually pretty simple. I found all segments effortlessly on DL's site. It seemed like the virgin inventory opened up a few days later than delta's 331. I booked all four seats on the same flight. And I went back to check and there were still more low seats! PM if/when you need help booking.
Excellent! I have quite a bit more FT reading to do, but what little I've seen so far indicates that Virgin availability seems to be quite good. Thanks for the offer for help - you may see a PM from me in a couple months when we start planning.
Originally Posted by
runninaway
Such as? For MQMs sure, but other than anecdotal evidence that miles get thrown around like candy as compensation, what scheme is there that other programs don't have? Certainly not credit cards, hotels or rental cars. Not shopping portals or other retail partners. They all have those. I see this asserted periodically, but I'm just not certain upon what it is based.
I'll admit my opinion is skewed since 95% of my flying is on DL, so that's where I look hardest for the promos and deals.
But it seems to me that:
- The CS recovery miles as you noted
- DL-branded CCs are easier to churn, esp. when you consider the stable of biz Amexes you can keep
- Elite RDM bonuses are similar to AA but better than UA; MQM rollover helps you keep your elite bonuses
- While targeted, if you do get hit with one of DL's double mileage promos is often a goldmine
- SPG Crossover - Has been quite good to me, much moreso than just crediting hotel stays to DL
And at the macro level, without any numbers to back me up (so I admit I could be wrong), the feeling of the sheer size of the DL-Amex relationship indicates that Amex has piles and piles of DL miles to hand out. All those miles have to go somewhere, right?