Originally Posted by
jdrtravel
You know what I’d like to see? Make DL an actual premium airline and dump the loyalty program all together. Charge more money and make every seat C+ or F, provide great customer service to every customer (a radical idea, I know).
AA did this in 2000 and couldn’t get premium pricing. They backed out and this is how we ended up with C+.
FF programs are important to the airline they convince people to fly more and spend more. They also get people to stay loyal to the airline and alliance. For example, a rational person flying BHM to LAX would select the airline based on fare and schedule since the planes are all essentially the same. Instead, FF program loyalty will entice them to accept some inconvenience in exchange for, what is effectively, a rebate and the illusion of better treatment.