<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by channa:
I've never quite understood DL.
One of the primary advantages to status on CO/NW is the EUA.
For UA/AA/DL is the upgrade certs, and DL of course has insULT.
If you're going to relegated to coach, as an Elite, you're better off on UA for E+ or AA for MRTC. The reason a lot of Elites stay with CO/NW is the EUA. Even at a Silver level, I'll fly in CO's E- 40% of the time to get F 60% of the time.
So what's DL's niche? Is it their stronghold on ATL that's keeping them alive? Aside from AirTran and markets in which the two compete, flying into ATL tends to be expensive because of no WN presence.
Thoughts?</font>
Simply put, Delta controls the world's largest hubbing operation at the world's busiest airport... that pretty much gives it domination of everything east of the Mississippi and south of the Potomac. Miami is of no domestic competition to it, and CLT/RDU/MEM offer viable alternatives, but lack the power to seriously threaten ATL. That is one thing that I did love about DL above other carriers.
Delta has by far the WORST Elite program for Silvers, but its Platinums are perhaps rewarded in the richest fashion of all. CO/NW Silvers also earn 25% more mileage bonus than do DL Silvers.
------------------
Faire du ciel le plus bel endroit de la terre c'est impossible sans Concorde!
~ConcordeBoy
Try the Unofficial Continental Dictionary