One DL flight to keep it all in perspective...
Jan 8, 2005, 5:26 pm
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Gold CO OP to Plat DL SM
I switched from being CO Gold last year to DL Gold (and now am DL Plat - not one single flight on CO last year!) 
I really don't notice any difference in the service, quality whatever.
I think the best airline all depends on where you live, where you travel to.
For me, EWR is way more of a hassle, and much (try 5 times) more expensive than flying on DL through ATL or CVG.
I flew through ATL and CVG all year, and only had 1-2 cancellations, minimal delays (one of them occuring three weeks ago).
FYI, DL gave all of us who got stuck in CVG overnight 10,000 miles automatically (no complaining required, it was just deposited into our accounts and an apology email was sent).
At least DL is trying to improve their SM program, which is more than I can say for NonePass!!
I really don't notice any difference in the service, quality whatever.
I think the best airline all depends on where you live, where you travel to.
For me, EWR is way more of a hassle, and much (try 5 times) more expensive than flying on DL through ATL or CVG.
I flew through ATL and CVG all year, and only had 1-2 cancellations, minimal delays (one of them occuring three weeks ago).
FYI, DL gave all of us who got stuck in CVG overnight 10,000 miles automatically (no complaining required, it was just deposited into our accounts and an apology email was sent).
At least DL is trying to improve their SM program, which is more than I can say for NonePass!!
Last edited by pgalore; Jan 8, 2005 at 5:29 pm
Jan 8, 2005, 8:25 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: Hilton Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,363
Originally Posted by channa
I don't get this part. DL and CO have the same partners, so if DL has availability, it's available to someone with CO mileage. They're essentially the same currency, with the exception of some of the partners (e.g., DL can redeem on Singapore, while CO can redeem on Qantas).
Jan 8, 2005, 8:52 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Shanwick
Posts: 3,117
Originally Posted by channa
I don't get this part. DL and CO have the same partners, so if DL has availability, it's available to someone with CO mileage. They're essentially the same currency, with the exception of some of the partners (e.g., DL can redeem on Singapore, while CO can redeem on Qantas).
Jan 8, 2005, 9:24 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: He who dies with the most miles wins!!
Programs: WorldPerks Demoted again to SE, DL 3.1MM Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 11,674
Originally Posted by Sirecca
If you're going to bash my hometown airline, at least get it right:
D-Doesn't
E-Even
L-Leave
T-The
A-Airport
With that kind of grammar, perhaps it's best if you stay put with your buddies on CO.
D-Doesn't
E-Even
L-Leave
T-The
A-Airport
With that kind of grammar, perhaps it's best if you stay put with your buddies on CO.
Driving
Every
Loyal
Traveler
Away
Jan 8, 2005, 11:05 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Originally Posted by CelticFlyer
That isn't always the case. Nothing says a partner has to offer the other partners the same award inventory as their own members. Come to that, nothing says that an airline has to offer the same award inventory to all customers. DL for instance has often made award inventory available to its platinums that wasn't available to non-platinums
But for the most part, if the seat is generally available, I've found it to be available to all partners.
Originally Posted by WebTraveler
Granted I have not tried to redeem Continental miles since the Delta codeshare deals went through. I tried to redeem some Alaska Airlines miles on Continental just last week to no avail, so I am still tainted that Continental is ugly.
Alaska lets anybody check award availability at their website. The only disconnect I've ever run into with AS, is when AS released a new flight. It was available on AS's site, but CO didn't see it initially, thus couldn't book it for a couple days until it was visible in their system.
Jan 9, 2005, 4:11 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Programs: CO Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 207
Originally Posted by WebTraveler
Hey you princesses, stop the whining on Delta. Delta is not perfect - far from it. But I can offer the same stories about Continental and the mess at EWR and how Continetal lost my bag for 48 hours when I flew to Newark and all of that. At least on Delta I can redeem my mileage credits for something. Despite years of try I have never once been able to claim a mileage award on Continental, except for something once a few days before a flight. I have found employees at Continental in Houston to be downright rude and obnoxious.
My point is - nothing is perfect, and before ragging on Delta, make sure Continental's house is in order - because it is far from it.
My point is - nothing is perfect, and before ragging on Delta, make sure Continental's house is in order - because it is far from it.
Your overall point is taken, but don't try to BS an answer to make a point. It takes away from your message.
Jan 9, 2005, 10:23 am
#53
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Originally Posted by yalie25
"ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Delta flight XXXX, at this time we'd like to begin boarding all medallion members and passengers in zones 1 and 2." (translation: everyone) So much for "priority boarding"!
Hey stick to CO - I don't need more of you taking upgrades seats on DL anyway.
Last edited by jfulcher; Jan 9, 2005 at 11:35 am
Jan 9, 2005, 11:26 am
#54
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
[QUOTE=bnrdad]
Actually in ATL they've been selling A fares for a while (airtran competition) and I had a 93% upgrade ratio last year as a GM. It won't effect things too much I think.
Originally Posted by climmy
Although CO may beat them hands-down in service, I'd rather have a better shot at a mediocre FC than stressing about battlefield upgrades right to the last second...It just isn't worth my trouble these days I think...[/QUOTE]
I just read in the WSJ today that with DL's new "SimpliFares" dramatically narrowing the price gap between F and Y, there will likely be more business flyers paying for F. They estimate that could leave 10-15% fewer seats available for upgrades on DL. They are trying to sell more F seats - granted at a highly discounted prices from previous F fares, at the expense of upgrading DL FF'ers.....you may be jumping from the frying pan and into the fire regarding the battlefield upgrade scenario in '05...
I just read in the WSJ today that with DL's new "SimpliFares" dramatically narrowing the price gap between F and Y, there will likely be more business flyers paying for F. They estimate that could leave 10-15% fewer seats available for upgrades on DL. They are trying to sell more F seats - granted at a highly discounted prices from previous F fares, at the expense of upgrading DL FF'ers.....you may be jumping from the frying pan and into the fire regarding the battlefield upgrade scenario in '05...
Jan 9, 2005, 2:48 pm
#55
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: Hilton Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,363
Originally Posted by nycden
You've got to be kidding me right? You are claiming that you were never able to redeem an award on Continental for several years....complete BS. I redeemed at least 4 flights and 3 upgrades last year, on top of the several automatic (free) upgrades. And I'm just an average joe, not a pro at this thing.
Your overall point is taken, but don't try to BS an answer to make a point. It takes away from your message.
Your overall point is taken, but don't try to BS an answer to make a point. It takes away from your message.
It is the TRUTH. I did redeem one once a day or so before a flight from PDX-Houston. Yes, they have offered me awards for flights to places I don't want to go.
Where do I want to go? For one place, I want to go from PDX to Halifax. In a 2 year period I have tried on this destination I have never been able to get one available routing. Continental has had the only one stoppers in the market. The others have to take three planes. Other destinations, PDX-STT/SJU, not one in three years.
Hey if I have earned all these miles, don't you think I can go somewhere other than PDX-Houston? Hey, I am flexible on times sometimes....I always ask WHEN can I go?
So stop with the attitude pal.
Jan 9, 2005, 3:03 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Originally Posted by WebTraveler
Where do I want to go? For one place, I want to go from PDX to Halifax. In a 2 year period I have tried on this destination I have never been able to get one available routing. Continental has had the only one stoppers in the market. The others have to take three planes. Other destinations, PDX-STT/SJU, not one in three years.
So the miles are usable, though the flight options may not be optimal.
Jan 9, 2005, 3:31 pm
#57
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: 160 acres in paradise
Programs: CO Plat, DL Million Miler
Posts: 502
I have had award seats on CO to HNL, LGW and STT all in the past 2 years - the the HNL trip was for 4 seats! I have also used CO miles on NW to SEA twice.
Have I had to be flexible and not always got the seats on the exact days I wanted and my first choice of flights? Yes. But that's part of the deal.
I still have >300k miles at DL and they don't seem to be that much easier to redeem unless I want the "Anytime" ripoff awards.
Have I had to be flexible and not always got the seats on the exact days I wanted and my first choice of flights? Yes. But that's part of the deal.
I still have >300k miles at DL and they don't seem to be that much easier to redeem unless I want the "Anytime" ripoff awards.
Jan 9, 2005, 3:58 pm
#58
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Programs: CO Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 207
Originally Posted by WebTraveler
I am not kidding you pal. First, never suggested upgrades were a problem, just tickets to diserable destinations.
It is the TRUTH. I did redeem one once a day or so before a flight from PDX-Houston. Yes, they have offered me awards for flights to places I don't want to go.
Where do I want to go? For one place, I want to go from PDX to Halifax. In a 2 year period I have tried on this destination I have never been able to get one available routing. Continental has had the only one stoppers in the market. The others have to take three planes. Other destinations, PDX-STT/SJU, not one in three years.
Hey if I have earned all these miles, don't you think I can go somewhere other than PDX-Houston? Hey, I am flexible on times sometimes....I always ask WHEN can I go?
So stop with the attitude pal.
It is the TRUTH. I did redeem one once a day or so before a flight from PDX-Houston. Yes, they have offered me awards for flights to places I don't want to go.
Where do I want to go? For one place, I want to go from PDX to Halifax. In a 2 year period I have tried on this destination I have never been able to get one available routing. Continental has had the only one stoppers in the market. The others have to take three planes. Other destinations, PDX-STT/SJU, not one in three years.
Hey if I have earned all these miles, don't you think I can go somewhere other than PDX-Houston? Hey, I am flexible on times sometimes....I always ask WHEN can I go?
So stop with the attitude pal.
So sorry guy, I'm calling BS on this one. Like I said, your message was well taken but you didn't need to resort to all that drama and BS.
Jan 9, 2005, 5:47 pm
#59
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: Alaska Airlines, CO Emeritus, United kettle, Ural Airlines Wings, Hilton, National
Posts: 979
Originally Posted by nycden
There is also a seat available for the first two weeks in February. For the second two weeks in Feb., with the exception of about 5 days, everyday has a seat avilable. And that's just using the standard award, you can always use more miles and do an easy pass which would open up more days. So I wouldn't have had any problems getting a free ticket from PDX to YHZ.
As for redeeming rewards it is much easier to get rewards on Onepass if you are an elite member. I remember having to be very flexible and even then it took a long time to find availablity, prior to reaching elite. However I was with AA prior to NW and NW prior to CO and often had difficult times redeeming mileage from both of them as well. Is Delta availability really that great? Can you just give a call and specify a flight? I have not flown Delta much other than a few Internationals. (which I liked for the most part)
Jan 9, 2005, 7:06 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Programs: CO Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 207
LOL, I should have charged him a booking fee.