Originally Posted by
CptnInc
I don't have anything new to add to the thread aside from an additional .... Someone flying 64 BOS-SFO R/Ts in Main Cabin no longer qualifies for Diamond, and for 59 of those trips, they won't be allowed into the lounge using their paid membership (starting in 2025).
This is ridiculous. I will be rebooking my full fare FC international travel to different carriers later today. I was willing to deal with DL's shortcomings as an "investment" in my status, but with DL effectively canceling their loyalty program, there's truly no reason make that sacrifice. I will also be canceling my Reserve card now that even that program has been gutted.
I guess the reason DL (and eventually UA and AA) know they can keep making these changes are the percentage of people who fly 50+ RT transcons and would be willing to connect or alter their schedule in response to program changes is small. Furthermore, I suspect most people on Flyertalk know how to “play the game” and are so much better at getting value from airline programs than the average person that airlines may willingly want to take away their status.
Lawyers/Consultants/others whose companies pay full fare and have employees who mostly don’t invest time and energy to get value out of FF programs won’t change their behavior and I suspect DL will only regret they didn’t make these changes earlier.
As someone who is under 30 and loves airlines/miles/premium cabins I have come to terms with the fact that I will never have top level status and I will have to fight for Intl J awards by being a flexible free agent.
I think the most pertinent example is the online gambling industry. Sports books offer huge teaser rewards to entice the masses, intentionally limit and weed out the small percentage who are making money in the medium/long term which allows them to profit off the remaining 95% of customers. The house always wins.