Originally Posted by Onwardandupwards

I get it - Delta is a business, and they have to make decisions that make sense for them. The same holds true for their customers. My partner and I are just a couple of data points, but we are evaluating the DM GUC devaluation and absorbing what that means for us.

We normally purchase ~20 (10 each) r/t business class TATL on Skyteam each year, we and use our GUCs on a couple more. GUCs and better service have been the two issues important for us to maintain DM. Delta has been good to us; we’ve been good to Delta, and up till now it’s been a good ride. We’ve been understanding and patient with Delta’s horrific phone issues through Covid, but this devaluation takes our motivation to maintain DM away.

As I mentioned in my first post, Premium Select and T-24 upgrades are of no interest to us. My life and work is stressful enough; reduced uncertainty is critical for TATL travel. I need to be able to arrive in Europe refreshed and ready to hit the ground.

As a result, I am educating myself on other carrier’s options, am looking into Status matches, and into what credit cards besides the Reserve card could give us more of what we need.

Over the last 2 days I’ve booked the following TATL business class seats: JetBlue suites (great reviews), Air Canada flight to Europe (never knew about their Signature Suite lounges which are not yet opened from Covid, but which look fantastic) and an AA flight that at $1900 r/t to Europe was cheaper than Delta’s PS and had 1 less connection.

So while we’ll be DM for the next 2 years due to pandemic loyalty travel on Delta, our relationship with Delta has changed significantly. I’ve always felt we had more of a family relationship (I know, I know…) than just a transactional relationship. While on the one hand I’m sad that type of relationship is ending, on the other hand it opens up a world of new possibilities.