Pricing - Delta vs. Alaska
May 23, 2022, 5:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Gold 75K
Posts: 218
Pricing - Delta vs. Alaska
Wow! Alaska is really taking advantage of loyal flyers from Seattle. Looking at tickets over Thanksgiving-SEA to PVR.
One way fares on Alaska in main cabin departing between 11/19-11/22 range from $600-$900 for non-stop. One way fares on Delta range from $250-$550, for non-stop flights leaving within an hour of each other. I'm willing to pay a premium to retain status but not at this price difference. So, for now I wait and see when Alaska prices drop.....
One way fares on Alaska in main cabin departing between 11/19-11/22 range from $600-$900 for non-stop. One way fares on Delta range from $250-$550, for non-stop flights leaving within an hour of each other. I'm willing to pay a premium to retain status but not at this price difference. So, for now I wait and see when Alaska prices drop.....
May 23, 2022, 7:18 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,420
Wow! Alaska is really taking advantage of loyal flyers from Seattle. Looking at tickets over Thanksgiving-SEA to PVR.
One way fares on Alaska in main cabin departing between 11/19-11/22 range from $600-$900 for non-stop. One way fares on Delta range from $250-$550, for non-stop flights leaving within an hour of each other. I'm willing to pay a premium to retain status but not at this price difference. So, for now I wait and see when Alaska prices drop.....
One way fares on Alaska in main cabin departing between 11/19-11/22 range from $600-$900 for non-stop. One way fares on Delta range from $250-$550, for non-stop flights leaving within an hour of each other. I'm willing to pay a premium to retain status but not at this price difference. So, for now I wait and see when Alaska prices drop.....
May 23, 2022, 8:26 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
DL has low pricing to Mexico from PHX too. I've seen fares where they must be losing money (Mexico has extremely high taxes -- I've seen PHX - LAX - SJC for a $15 base fare plus taxes and fees)
May 23, 2022, 8:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,392
Probably not just to Mexico.
I became a free agent probably about 3 years ago. Just flying the cheapest legacy carrier with the schedule that works for me. During this time Ive flown to CA a bunch of times, at least a dozen trips to elsewhere in America (DEN, SLC, BOS, DC). And Ive only down AS a few times, strictly to/from CA. AS prices never seem to be competitive for other markets I fly from Seattle. Then again, it could be not enough sample size.
I became a free agent probably about 3 years ago. Just flying the cheapest legacy carrier with the schedule that works for me. During this time Ive flown to CA a bunch of times, at least a dozen trips to elsewhere in America (DEN, SLC, BOS, DC). And Ive only down AS a few times, strictly to/from CA. AS prices never seem to be competitive for other markets I fly from Seattle. Then again, it could be not enough sample size.
May 23, 2022, 9:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,392
Its weird, I dont understand the level of loyalty to AS here. I know people who only fly occasionally but, when they do, they try everything possible to fly AS. I see people using the Alaska BofA card for everyday purchase even though its like the least rewarding card imaginable.
May 23, 2022, 9:46 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,701
Its weird, I dont understand the level of loyalty to AS here. I know people who only fly occasionally but, when they do, they try everything possible to fly AS. I see people using the Alaska BofA card for everyday purchase even though its like the least rewarding card imaginable.
May 23, 2022, 10:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Glob, EX-AS 75k
Posts: 104
I've been moving as much travel as possible from AS->DL since 1) I am statused on both, 2) Alaska does not seem to have the operational elasticity to withstand any minor disruption during this pilot issue, and 3) Delta answers the phone when I call.
I was reluctant to do this since we have several reservations booked on companion fares, and yet ... some of these are cheaper on DL with no discount than on AS with companion fares. Those companion fares lulled me into thinking AS would be the less expensive option, but that's not always the case!
I was reluctant to do this since we have several reservations booked on companion fares, and yet ... some of these are cheaper on DL with no discount than on AS with companion fares. Those companion fares lulled me into thinking AS would be the less expensive option, but that's not always the case!
May 23, 2022, 11:00 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG, DL FO, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5 Whatevers
Posts: 1,099
It’s weird, I don’t understand the level of loyalty to AS here. I know people who only fly occasionally but, when they do, they try everything possible to fly AS. I see people using the Alaska BofA card for everyday purchase even though it’s like the least rewarding card imaginable.
Especially in these trying times with crazy inflation, I'm going to be thinking really carefully about how I spend money.
May 24, 2022, 12:53 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
As a Seattle based flyer, the only time I pick Alaska nowadays is if its a route that Delta isn't competing on (mostly to places like Alaska, Palm Springs, Oregon, and some better schedules to Florida/Texas compared to Delta), because yeah, AlaskaAirline pricing is completely ridiculous. I am baffled who even selects them given that delta is consistently lower fares everywhere.
May 24, 2022, 6:40 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,844
I've noticed Delta's revenue management of the front cabin is much more dynamic than AAG. Flying to DC on Thursday, and Alaska is sticking to $1100-$1400 one way, even with 4+ seats remaining. Delta just reduced a number of one-stop options to $650-$750, including some lie-flat segments. This is the 3rd time in the last several weeks I've switched from AAG to Delta at the last minute due to aggressive monetization of the front cabin by Delta.
May 24, 2022, 8:49 am
#13
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
AS revenue management is either crazy and will have to cut prices further in, or there is truly demand and the lower fare buckets have sold out faster than DL.
While finding lower fares on DL ex-SEA is great for customers, I’m not sure that’s a great sign for DL’s goal of building a sustainable hub, particularly since key connecting traffic to Asia won’t recover soon.
While finding lower fares on DL ex-SEA is great for customers, I’m not sure that’s a great sign for DL’s goal of building a sustainable hub, particularly since key connecting traffic to Asia won’t recover soon.
May 24, 2022, 10:00 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
We will probably not have status next year. AS making it difficult to retain status . DL offers better schedules and definitely better fares for this years travel. Flying out of LAX, DL has direct flights to east coast. AS does not , forcing connection through SEA or PDX.
I guess we are free agents now.
I guess we are free agents now.
May 24, 2022, 12:31 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
Because of price and connections, I am flying proportionally less AS than previous years. Delta's efforts to capture West Coast business may be taking root (route).