Originally Posted by
rschon
What is the benefit to them of delaying the launch? Is it just getting the tech in place to support it or is there a strategic rationale to delaying? In practical terms, I'm continuing to buy and fly with AA this month since I have EXP benefits with them, so Delta lost some bit of business from me.
Why would you want to match to DL to start with other than moving to a hub city?
1. The match program is crap. You can't match to Diamond and you can't even get to diamond until next year even if you fly enough to qualify for it.
2. The Platinum and Diamond ranks are going to be bloated with the people using rollovers to extend and new million miler program, which will be nearly impossible to reach for flyers starting this year.
3. The spend requirements are higher than the other airlines.
4. The upgrades for Plats especially in hub cities is practically non-existent.
IMO the herd won't be "thinned" out for at least 3 years and as a new Platinum who couldn't extend using rollovers you will find the spend level at Platinum is going to go up every year to what they announce last September and unless you can spend 35K a year when they do make the adjustments you will never reach Diamond.