DL offering a targeted elite status challenge to WA/OR/AK residents
Feb 3, 2015, 9:17 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
DL offering a targeted elite status challenge to WA/OR/AK residents
I just received an email offer from Delta offering me Silver status after just 2 round-trips and Gold status after just 6 round-trips....I'm fairly certain it's a targeted offer that is clearly aimed at AS flyers since you have to be a resident of WA/OR/AK to be eligible....for awhile it looked as if they were focusing all their promotions like double EQM at WA residents, but it appears they are branching out to the entire Pacific Northwest including AK.
Don't worry AS, I'm already a happy camper and I'm sticking with AS Mileage Plan 100%. I don't have the extra $$ or desire to become an elite with two different airlines, especially Delta's lousy revenue-based program.
Don't worry AS, I'm already a happy camper and I'm sticking with AS Mileage Plan 100%. I don't have the extra $$ or desire to become an elite with two different airlines, especially Delta's lousy revenue-based program.
Feb 4, 2015, 11:26 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
I just received an email offer from Delta offering me Silver status after just 2 round-trips and Gold status after just 6 round-trips....I'm fairly certain it's a targeted offer that is clearly aimed at AS flyers since you have to be a resident of WA/OR/AK to be eligible....for awhile it looked as if they were focusing all their promotions like double EQM at WA residents, but it appears they are branching out to the entire Pacific Northwest including AK.
Don't worry AS, I'm already a happy camper and I'm sticking with AS Mileage Plan 100%. I don't have the extra $$ or desire to become an elite with two different airlines, especially Delta's lousy revenue-based program.
Don't worry AS, I'm already a happy camper and I'm sticking with AS Mileage Plan 100%. I don't have the extra $$ or desire to become an elite with two different airlines, especially Delta's lousy revenue-based program.
Only itineraries that originate at eligible airports will qualify for this promotion. Eligible airports include: Spokane/GEG; Pasco/PSC; Seattle/SEA; Eugene/EUG; Medford/MFR; Portland/PDX; Redmond/RDM; Anchorage/ANC; Fairbanks/FAI; Juneau/JNU; Ketchikan/KTN; and Sitka/SIT
I don't think it has any relation to AmEx unless it's somehow linked to the SPG AmEx card - but I could be wrong. While I do carry that card, it has never been linked to DL or my inactive SkyMiles number.
Feb 4, 2015, 11:26 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,992
I got it as well. Here's my thing with DL...I enjoy flying them. They're a solid airline in the air, have a better F product than AS and I've generally had good customer service with them, plus I have the Platinum DL Amex for the companion ticket that comes with it.
But they're never going to be my primary for these reasons:
1. I live in ANC. I applaud them for beefing up their ANC-SEA schedule and adding year round FAI and JNU service but most of my travel is to PDX and IAH and AS flies nonstop/same plane direct.
2. Their absurd $200 change fee per ticket.
3. As has been discussed ad-nauseam on here, SkyMiles is just atrocious compared to Mileage Plan.
But they're never going to be my primary for these reasons:
1. I live in ANC. I applaud them for beefing up their ANC-SEA schedule and adding year round FAI and JNU service but most of my travel is to PDX and IAH and AS flies nonstop/same plane direct.
2. Their absurd $200 change fee per ticket.
3. As has been discussed ad-nauseam on here, SkyMiles is just atrocious compared to Mileage Plan.
Feb 4, 2015, 11:28 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Basic plain bottom-of-the-barrel Delta AMEX that I keep after 20 years for credit scoring purposes, and charging the occasional Delta flight for AS credit.
Feb 4, 2015, 12:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
I got it as well. Here's my thing with DL...I enjoy flying them. They're a solid airline in the air, have a better F product than AS and I've generally had good customer service with them, plus I have the Platinum DL Amex for the companion ticket that comes with it.
But they're never going to be my primary for these reasons:
1. I live in ANC. I applaud them for beefing up their ANC-SEA schedule and adding year round FAI and JNU service but most of my travel is to PDX and IAH and AS flies nonstop/same plane direct.
2. Their absurd $200 change fee per ticket.
3. As has been discussed ad-nauseam on here, SkyMiles is just atrocious compared to Mileage Plan.
But they're never going to be my primary for these reasons:
1. I live in ANC. I applaud them for beefing up their ANC-SEA schedule and adding year round FAI and JNU service but most of my travel is to PDX and IAH and AS flies nonstop/same plane direct.
2. Their absurd $200 change fee per ticket.
3. As has been discussed ad-nauseam on here, SkyMiles is just atrocious compared to Mileage Plan.
It looks like they have some same-day $180 RTs between SEA & LAX. Could there any tangible benefit to be gained by doing 2 of those to get Silver? I can read about their status levels on the webpage, but don't know how DL status translates to reality.
Basically, is Silver or Gold "worth anything" in real life?
Feb 4, 2015, 12:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,992
You have experience with DL while some of us do not, Chugach. Here's my question: If one were to be able to add the 2 RTs on DL to get Silver or 6 RTs on DL to get Gold - without compromising AS flights for status - might it be worth it?
It looks like they have some same-day $180 RTs between SEA & LAX. Could there any tangible benefit to be gained by doing 2 of those to get Silver? I can read about their status levels on the webpage, but don't know how DL status translates to reality.
Basically, is Silver or Gold "worth anything" in real life?
It looks like they have some same-day $180 RTs between SEA & LAX. Could there any tangible benefit to be gained by doing 2 of those to get Silver? I can read about their status levels on the webpage, but don't know how DL status translates to reality.
Basically, is Silver or Gold "worth anything" in real life?
I hit MVPG in June last year, so I did some test driving on DL the remainder of 2014 and arrived at the conclusions above.
Feb 4, 2015, 12:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG, Alaska Lounge, HHonors Silver, Bonvoy Gold, National Executive
Posts: 455
You have experience with DL while some of us do not, Chugach. Here's my question: If one were to be able to add the 2 RTs on DL to get Silver or 6 RTs on DL to get Gold - without compromising AS flights for status - might it be worth it?
It looks like they have some same-day $180 RTs between SEA & LAX. Could there any tangible benefit to be gained by doing 2 of those to get Silver? I can read about their status levels on the webpage, but don't know how DL status translates to reality.
Basically, is Silver or Gold "worth anything" in real life?
It looks like they have some same-day $180 RTs between SEA & LAX. Could there any tangible benefit to be gained by doing 2 of those to get Silver? I can read about their status levels on the webpage, but don't know how DL status translates to reality.
Basically, is Silver or Gold "worth anything" in real life?
Even on the Delta board there is pretty much the feeling that Diamond is the only status that really matters over there.
DL Silver and Gold will get you free bags, but not even SkyPriority. Maybe a little better handling of IRROPs and faster ability to get through on the phone.
Feb 4, 2015, 12:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,992
Well, you get to be above MP members on the insanely long Delta upgrade list...
Even on the Delta board there is pretty much the feeling that Diamond is the only status that really matters over there.
DL Silver and Gold will get you free bags, but not even SkyPriority. Maybe a little better handling of IRROPs and faster ability to get through on the phone.
Even on the Delta board there is pretty much the feeling that Diamond is the only status that really matters over there.
DL Silver and Gold will get you free bags, but not even SkyPriority. Maybe a little better handling of IRROPs and faster ability to get through on the phone.
Feb 4, 2015, 1:09 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
DL Gold is SkyTeam Elite Plus, which gets you lounge access on international flights (Mexico/Caribbean excepted).
Both Silver and Gold get complimentary Economy Comfort seats (24 and 72 hours out, respectively). Those come with free drinks (effective 3/1 domestically).
DL upgrades can be far more competitive on longer hauls, but less so on shorter hauls or West Coast flights.
I think it really depends on whether AS's route network meets your needs. If it does, for the most part, why bother with the switch? But for some, the breadth of DL's network may be a tipping point to get some to move.
Both Silver and Gold get complimentary Economy Comfort seats (24 and 72 hours out, respectively). Those come with free drinks (effective 3/1 domestically).
DL upgrades can be far more competitive on longer hauls, but less so on shorter hauls or West Coast flights.
I think it really depends on whether AS's route network meets your needs. If it does, for the most part, why bother with the switch? But for some, the breadth of DL's network may be a tipping point to get some to move.
Feb 4, 2015, 1:43 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
Thank you for your insights and opinions, Chugach, Ig20 and channa.
As an Alaska resident for decades, I am quite loyal to AS and plan to remain so. But it's helpful to have a better understanding of the DL benefits that could possibly be of use at some point in time.
As an Alaska resident for decades, I am quite loyal to AS and plan to remain so. But it's helpful to have a better understanding of the DL benefits that could possibly be of use at some point in time.