[Speculation] Will AS Benefit from DL's Devaluation of SkyMiles Program?
Sep 13, 23, 11:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 816
[Speculation] Will AS Benefit from DL's Devaluation of SkyMiles Program?
So with Delta absolutely slaughtering their FF program, and the so far apparent backlash...who thinks we are going to start seeing our ranks artificially swell from status matches? I'm not sure how much we will see other than the SEA hub (All thats really left), but I do see it impacting AA.
Sep 14, 23, 12:10 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,836
AS would just be crazy not to do whatever it can to get new customers who are looking to switch. It would not surprise me if they offered to match 100k from Diamond (and in fact it would surprise me if they didn't)
Sep 14, 23, 12:21 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,300
Id also say that AS doesnt need to offer a 100K match. The changes at DL are so extreme, it either works for you still or not at all. Plus, we are really only talking about SEA based DL flyers. If they picked DL over AS before, they must have had a unique reason and perhaps they are less concerned with these changes?
Sep 14, 23, 12:54 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Exp, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,393
100% not gonna happen. DL already made a big push into SEA and what did it get them? It is still AS country.
Skypesos have been worthless for years. Nothing from today that is going to change anyone's mind. People who currently fly DL do so because they are hub captives (ATL, DET, MSP) or they like the airline product. Skymiles is not a factor except to the extent it provides free upgrades. If anything the upgrades will increase if the number of elites shrinks.
Skypesos have been worthless for years. Nothing from today that is going to change anyone's mind. People who currently fly DL do so because they are hub captives (ATL, DET, MSP) or they like the airline product. Skymiles is not a factor except to the extent it provides free upgrades. If anything the upgrades will increase if the number of elites shrinks.
Sep 14, 23, 5:59 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,646
The real question related to AS is how long it will take for them to join the club and just look at spend when granting status. Each year FF programs change, people complain about the devaluations, yet when boarding a legacy carrier flight, oftentimes more than half of the plane is filled with elite members and the upgrade list leaves huge numbers without upgrades. Still people stay on the treadmill. With rising labor costs and falling fares and stock prices, AS will also feel the pressure to continue to devalue. It is only a matter of when and how much.
People have a false sense that their loyalty to an airline is reciprocated unconditionally. Customers gaining status by doing cheap mileage runs are not that valuable. Eventually that loophole will be closed. Those in Seattle and Alaska will favor AS because they are the most convenient on many routes. Since the competition offers little FF benefit, AS wont need to offer much either.
People have a false sense that their loyalty to an airline is reciprocated unconditionally. Customers gaining status by doing cheap mileage runs are not that valuable. Eventually that loophole will be closed. Those in Seattle and Alaska will favor AS because they are the most convenient on many routes. Since the competition offers little FF benefit, AS wont need to offer much either.
Last edited by sfozrhfco; Sep 14, 23 at 6:06 am
Sep 14, 23, 6:21 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Fortune Wings Club Gold
Posts: 320
The real question related to AS is how long it will take for them to join the club and just look at spend when granting status. Each year FF programs change, people complain about the devaluations, yet when boarding a legacy carrier flight, oftentimes more than half of the plane is filled with elite members and the upgrade list leaves huge numbers without upgrades. Still people stay on the treadmill. With rising labor costs and falling fares and stock prices, AS will also feel the pressure to continue to devalue. It is only a matter of when and how much.
People have a false sense that their loyalty to an airline is reciprocated unconditionally. Customers gaining status by doing cheap mileage runs are not that valuable. Eventually that loophole will be closed. Those in Seattle and Alaska will favor AS because they are the most convenient on many routes. Since the competition offers little FF benefit, AS wont need to offer much either.
People have a false sense that their loyalty to an airline is reciprocated unconditionally. Customers gaining status by doing cheap mileage runs are not that valuable. Eventually that loophole will be closed. Those in Seattle and Alaska will favor AS because they are the most convenient on many routes. Since the competition offers little FF benefit, AS wont need to offer much either.
Sep 14, 23, 6:28 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,392
I'd understand if they did offer a 100K match, but, being me, I'm hoping they don't, limiting it to 75K. As is customary with me, I'd rather any potential adverse effects be absorbed by others, not...er...me, or whatever level I'm at. So, we 100K'ers should stick together!
Sep 14, 23, 7:02 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,646
Alaska treats its frequent flyer program as a differentiator and for the most part has intentionally made it a little bit better than the other Big 3. The miles have always been worth just a little bit more and the stopover lives on (although with more hidden limitations). Delta's devaluation of its program reduces pressure on Alaska but SEA remains a DL hub that Alaska must compete with. AS MP is a mechanism for that.
Sep 14, 23, 7:12 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,392
I agree with sfozrhfco on this one. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge AS fanboy and love the OW integration. They're going to get my hard earned $$ for the foreseeable future, but there's no reason to have a rewards program disproportionately better than their peers. It's just free market practice to close the gap and turn some of that daylight into a surplus for their shareholders, expansion, or whatever. Even, as a bonus for their employees.
I wouldn't like it, of course. But, it's just business, not personal.
I wouldn't like it, of course. But, it's just business, not personal.
Sep 14, 23, 11:15 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,646
Sep 14, 23, 11:18 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 37,810
No speculation here - not worth the effort. I just prepare for whatever the next gut punch will be, and manage it appropriately at the time. This "game" has turned into a frat hazing ritual and yet we keep going back for more!
Sincerely,
An AS MVPG, DL PM and UA MMer.
Sincerely,
An AS MVPG, DL PM and UA MMer.
Sep 14, 23, 11:38 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100k, UA Silver, AC P25k, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 678
The cost for getting DL silver is just insane......again...it will be just the hub captives who are forced to take this change....
But i am certainly not going to waste my time with DL and skyteam.....
But i am certainly not going to waste my time with DL and skyteam.....
