Originally Posted by
bocastephen
So I'm trying to understand what Delta did differently than AA and UA that caused such an uproar and a new possibly revised response from Delta vs the middle finger AA and UA customers received from those airlines when there was a similar, albeit less broadly passionate blowback with their similar program changes.
So unless I'm missing something, the only significant differences I can tell between UA and DL now are the much higher spend requirement for Diamond vs 1K - but watch for the UA number to swoop upward in the next couple months - and the restrictions on lounge access for credit card holders, which I'm sure UA is gauging reaction to see if they can copy something similar.
Given these changes are on par with Delta's long term strategy of focusing on product not program, and their stated objective to remove a good portion of the elite rolls so they can prepare nicer benefits for those who pay up, I'm genuinely curious 1. why the disproportionate uproar here vs what happened at UA/AA, and 2. what do you want Delta to roll back?
These changes affect multiple aspects of the DL program, from status accrual to lounge access. So, you'll probably get a variety of answers and an unusually large number of irritated DL loyalists. For me, the rollover MQMs are a big issue because they were somewhat unique in this industry. Credit card spending through my business was able to augment my flying to keep me happily at Platinum status for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the MQM boosts accelerated my march toward 1MM with the hopes of free baggage and decent seat selection as my flying decreases in retirement. By directing a decent amount of spending to AmEx, I was willing to accrue an arguably worthless travel currency (SkyMiles) in exchange for being treated slightly better with upgrades and during IROPS in the competitive NE corridor. So, yes, I am exactly the kind of customer DL is trying to get rid of...someone who for nearly 40 years has played the roadrunner-coyote dance of trying to get benefits without even being a rounding error in their budget.
I wish DL luck in their pursuit of revenue. I'm also enjoying airline-Tinder...looking forward to that date with B6 for that Blade transfer in NYC, and also the SWUs (thanks AS!) that will encourage me to revisit my stash of AA miles earned during the DL "no favors no waivers" years.