Originally Posted by
Adelphos
If flying Delta when it makes the most sense and gets me to where I need to go in the most comfort, and that resulting in me reaching Diamond, is "sticking with DL," then "sticking with DL" may make sense for me and a lot of people. Regardless of all of this, Delta still has a route network and asset network (planes, clubs, etc) that will make sense for a lot of passengers. Passengers flying Delta in that situation will want to know how their flying will accrue miles and elite credit.
Are people suggesting that all passengers avoid flying Delta at all costs?
But this is what many have advocated for many years now. Be a free agent Fly the carrier that has the best price, routing. schedule, service and elite perks (feel free to disagree on the ordering). If sticking with DL makes sense (due to these factors) then by all means enjoy flying DL.
But for those who have a real choice of carriers (all else being equal) skypesos are a significant minus due to poor value compared to the alternatives. In addition, DL flyers are now finding that the elite perks may be reduced (because their status levels will tank in 2025), which may (or many not) be a huge minus compared to the competition.
For me its an easy choice because I live near a UA hub. But the fact that UA offers better elite perks, better pricing (when you factor free C+/E+) and miles I can actually use, means that it makes NO sense for me - and many others in the bay area - to buy paid travel on DL. Unless corp contracts, fare or routing dictate DL.
Originally Posted by
jfktocdg
I fly more in a month than Keyser does in a year. I live on planes. I can write a book about this subject matter and if you perceive my tone as aggressive that's a you problem. Delta made changes that I agree with, and those changes needed to happen. Delta is dictating who deserves status, not me, but I agree with their assessment on who deserves what status and why.
For sure DL made changes to benefit its top revenue flyers. In this regard it is simply following what UA did some years ago. But the difference is that UA still threw a bone to lower level elites and status was still reasonably achievable for those elites. DL has basically sent the message "kiss off" unless you are spending huge amounts or charging absurd amounts on Amex.
I fully expect the remaining DL elites will see better upgrade % and elimination of lines at the DL clubs. I also fully expect Amex revenue from DL cardholders to tank, but I've been wrong about that before. In my area I still see many people using Southwest and United cards which have far inferior ROI to other options. But maybe 1% of the population knows enough to understand how the game should be played.