Originally Posted by
Visconti
HVCs are finicky and have a world of options, and may drop you for looking at them funny. During bad times, if we assume the airline industry is still a cyclical one, loyal customers will provide cash flow until things improve. Even if they're not profitable, they provide the revenue to keep the lights on. Though, I suppose, DL may be relying on the Fed Gov't put here, and assume they'll just get bailed out again when things go south, as they invariably will, from time to time.
HVC is finicky sure. I am. One reason I don't fly DL all the time is the schedule sucks for me as DEN flier. UA has its own problems. No upgrades. Ever. I am always number 5 on the list. GS always swoops in and takes them. Their fares out of DEN are always higher than DL as well. Nature of non-stop vs connection.
But you know what? If one of those airlines takes care of me on the short haul stuff I will put up with the nonsense schedule or lack of upgrades or higher fares for the direct flight. In other words, I would be loyal if they gave me reason to be.
The logic that a money losing customer is good is insane. If I lose money on a customer (even soft costs) I would rather cut the soft cost and manage the more profitable revenue. Unprofitable is unprofitable. Having more or less profitable customers doesn't change that calculus.
I know many here have a hard time hearing this, but the 6k spend Platinum makes zero sense for DL.