Delta no longer has fees for "close-in" award travel... wait! they got added back...
Apr 14, 2010, 8:17 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Iowa, USA
Programs: Delta KM, United 1K, SPG plat
Posts: 415
Though I hate fees, I do think that at least the award change fee makes sense. When DL blocks off a seat for an award pax, it can't sell that seat. If the pax then releases the seat, it's quite possibly a missed opportunity for DL to earn on that seat. ie: the change very likely costs DL money, and probably more than $150.
The award redemption fee, however, was a travesty. I suspect that its elimination has just as much to do with heading off class-action suits as it does recovering the good will of Skymiles members.
I go to a local coffee shop... every 10 Lattés they give me a free one. If they started charging me a fee to get the free one, it would be a clear rip-off.
So despite the unwelcome increase in award redeposit fees, kudos to DL for backing out of that award redemption fee scam.
The award redemption fee, however, was a travesty. I suspect that its elimination has just as much to do with heading off class-action suits as it does recovering the good will of Skymiles members.
I go to a local coffee shop... every 10 Lattés they give me a free one. If they started charging me a fee to get the free one, it would be a clear rip-off.
So despite the unwelcome increase in award redeposit fees, kudos to DL for backing out of that award redemption fee scam.
Apr 14, 2010, 8:34 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Has anyone noticed that Silver Elites aren't mentioned AT ALL on the link http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...d_travel_fees/ ? Slowly but surely Delta has effectively made 2010 Gold the equivalent of Silver in previous years. It looks like Silver, Gold, and Plat are now known as Gold, Plat, and Diamond, with silver slowly being phased out until it becomes nothing but a symbolic status.
It's just that it takes more miles to qualify at each of the three levels.
"Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" -- Lewis Caroll, "Through the Looking Glass"
Apr 14, 2010, 8:40 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: DL GM, WN AL/CP, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,483
Though I hate fees, I do think that at least the award change fee makes sense. When DL blocks off a seat for an award pax, it can't sell that seat. If the pax then releases the seat, it's quite possibly a missed opportunity for DL to earn on that seat. ie: the change very likely costs DL money, and probably more than $150.
Apr 14, 2010, 9:44 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
WN: change any fare anytime, no fee
CO: award changes free if same origin & destination, otherwise $0-75 depending on elite level
Apr 14, 2010, 9:53 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 218
Has anyone noticed that Silver Elites aren't mentioned AT ALL on the link http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...d_travel_fees/
Overall, I like this move...even if it comes with the change fee increase ! ^
Apr 14, 2010, 9:58 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Big ^^ to DL on this one! But how did the OP notice this? Word spreads fast on FT 
. I too noticed award redeposit/reissue is now $150 instead of $100 like it was before, though now in line with the other legacies (except UA for free date changes). Maybe this will bring in more money than the close-in fees?
. I too noticed award redeposit/reissue is now $150 instead of $100 like it was before, though now in line with the other legacies (except UA for free date changes). Maybe this will bring in more money than the close-in fees?
Apr 14, 2010, 10:03 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Delta and WN ARE NOT competitors. You are in the minority if you actually debate between Delta and WN on a particular flight plan.
Apr 14, 2010, 10:05 am
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Has anyone noticed that Silver Elites aren't mentioned AT ALL on the link http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use_mi...d_travel_fees/ ? Slowly but surely Delta has effectively made 2010 Gold the equivalent of Silver in previous years. It looks like Silver, Gold, and Plat are now known as Gold, Plat, and Diamond, with silver slowly being phased out until it becomes nothing but a symbolic status.
Apr 14, 2010, 11:04 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL Diamond Medallion, AA Executive Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold VIP
Posts: 564
Apr 14, 2010, 11:08 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
The key point is that if DL wants to reverse the emigration, they need to come up with a broad-based response. The close-in booking fee is just a drop in the bucket.
Apr 14, 2010, 11:11 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Perhaps this is in response to the negative comments about award availability and the award calendar. It's my guess that they actually ARE working to fix these things now, and that once they are fixed, the fees will be back (note the (1) footnote states that "fees are subject to change").
As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem with some of these fees if the calendar and availability are improved.
As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem with some of these fees if the calendar and availability are improved.
Apr 14, 2010, 11:19 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,746
Big thumbs up to DL for this change. ^
To me a big perk of FF programs has always been the ability to, in theory, hop a plane somewhere, anywhere on the spur of the moment. But limited availability plus increasing close-in fees have eroded that option quite a bit.
I may finally be able to take a vacation and go somewhere again (my schedule is driven by client deadlines/schedules and windows of opportunity only appear a week or two ahead of time...)
To me a big perk of FF programs has always been the ability to, in theory, hop a plane somewhere, anywhere on the spur of the moment. But limited availability plus increasing close-in fees have eroded that option quite a bit.
I may finally be able to take a vacation and go somewhere again (my schedule is driven by client deadlines/schedules and windows of opportunity only appear a week or two ahead of time...)