Delta picked me up in a Porsche
Nov 3, 2011, 12:07 pm
#106
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Woodstock, GA USA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Delta DM & 1MM, Hertz and Avis President's Circle
Posts: 906
I wonder if there's some connection with the fact that Porsche's North American HDQ is moving from north Atlanta to the old Ford car plant location just past the end of the northernmost runway in ATL? They're building a big test track there that will be open to the public, too.
What would really impress me is if the Delta driver picked you up and then proceed to race a plane down the runway. Stick one of those checkered flags on the back and some flashy lights and away we go. Now that would get my adrenalin going!
What would really impress me is if the Delta driver picked you up and then proceed to race a plane down the runway. Stick one of those checkered flags on the back and some flashy lights and away we go. Now that would get my adrenalin going!
Nov 3, 2011, 12:15 pm
#108
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL DM, EY Plat, MM Senator
Posts: 493
Nov 3, 2011, 12:19 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Flew LH F on miles last year. Connect into MUC aprked at remote pad. Stepped off the plane and there was a black Mercedes with driver holding a sign with my name and the words "Lufthansa First Class."
The gentlemen took my bags, placed them into the trunk and drive me to their first class lounge where they have SEPARATE passport control for their first class passengers.
Sweet ride. If DL made a habit of behavior like this I'm all in (I give 125K travel to DL and 100K travel to UA annually). That said, there are too many DMs for this to be a regular experience.
The gentlemen took my bags, placed them into the trunk and drive me to their first class lounge where they have SEPARATE passport control for their first class passengers.
Sweet ride. If DL made a habit of behavior like this I'm all in (I give 125K travel to DL and 100K travel to UA annually). That said, there are too many DMs for this to be a regular experience.
Nov 3, 2011, 12:21 pm
#110
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Atlanta & San Francisco
Programs: DL 2MM DM & My Wife is a DL 3MM DM
Posts: 2,784
I wonder if there's some connection with the fact that Porsche's North American HDQ is moving from north Atlanta to the old Ford car plant location just past the end of the northernmost runway in ATL? They're building a big test track there that will be open to the public, too.
Nov 3, 2011, 1:04 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Other comments:
1) Wouldn't Cayennes make more sense than Panameras (I guess they're anxious to specifically promote the Panamera).
2) That ATL - STR flight probably carries a lot of premium Porsche flyers
(And should Porsche integrate more tightly into the VW Group, it should be noted that ICE trains will probably do a BBI-to-Wolfsburg run in less than one hour)3) BA has an invitation-only tier, Premier, extended to people who directly influence decision to drive revenue to BA (multiple millions of £). Maybe the car service is reserved to a subset of individuals who likewise influence very high spend towards DL (sort of an unannounced "Hope Diamond" tier
).
Nov 3, 2011, 1:14 pm
#114
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Delta GM/1.5MM ~ United Silver ~ Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,434
So, long day of travel today.
Doing LAS-ATL-BUF-DTW-LAS as I've got a conference in LAS I'm attending and have a client visiting our office today.
I'm a DM/MM/Kryptonium, flying on an M fare today. LAS-ATL was on DL28 with continuing service to CDG. Left LAS at 6:00am, landed ontime around 12:50pm or so into gate B-36. I had a 50 minute connection into BUF and departed from B-11. Same concourse, not bad of a walk. Even had time to hit Popeye's chicken. Anyway, no bags checked-in as I'm just in BUF for 4 hours or so.
Upon landing the FA made an announcement for 1 person to "see the DL rep when the exited the plane". Looked out the window and saw the Porsche. DL employee escorted the passenger down the stairs into the car. DL employee carried the bag for the passenger.
Not sure who the passenger was, where going, etc.
Me, I was on a rather expensive M fare as I purchased the ticket on Monday. Battlefield upgrade from 44-C to 3-D, and the FA not only made an announcement about First Class disembarking first but they also enforced it and held back coach for all the First Class cabin to leave first.
Sitting at 144k MQM on the year so far, with around 60k MQM being roll-over. Most of my flights this year have been M or above as most have been booked a day or two before the flights leave. Lots of travel left before the year is out so I'll most likely end around 200k MQM this year.
What I want to know is the qualification for getting the ride. Any others please post up what you've got going on.
Thanks all and especially the OP for pointing this out.
Doing LAS-ATL-BUF-DTW-LAS as I've got a conference in LAS I'm attending and have a client visiting our office today.
I'm a DM/MM/Kryptonium, flying on an M fare today. LAS-ATL was on DL28 with continuing service to CDG. Left LAS at 6:00am, landed ontime around 12:50pm or so into gate B-36. I had a 50 minute connection into BUF and departed from B-11. Same concourse, not bad of a walk. Even had time to hit Popeye's chicken. Anyway, no bags checked-in as I'm just in BUF for 4 hours or so.
Upon landing the FA made an announcement for 1 person to "see the DL rep when the exited the plane". Looked out the window and saw the Porsche. DL employee escorted the passenger down the stairs into the car. DL employee carried the bag for the passenger.
Not sure who the passenger was, where going, etc.
Me, I was on a rather expensive M fare as I purchased the ticket on Monday. Battlefield upgrade from 44-C to 3-D, and the FA not only made an announcement about First Class disembarking first but they also enforced it and held back coach for all the First Class cabin to leave first.
Sitting at 144k MQM on the year so far, with around 60k MQM being roll-over. Most of my flights this year have been M or above as most have been booked a day or two before the flights leave. Lots of travel left before the year is out so I'll most likely end around 200k MQM this year.
What I want to know is the qualification for getting the ride. Any others please post up what you've got going on.
Thanks all and especially the OP for pointing this out.
Nov 3, 2011, 1:25 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL Lost Luggage
Programs: Kettle with Kryptonium Medallion Tags
Posts: 10,321
Nov 3, 2011, 1:25 pm
#117
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky MOuntain High
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Marriott Gold, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 461
^
^
In my mind this is a brilliant marketing idea. Kind of like the celebrity freebie bags. So Porsche provides the car which is essentially a personal test drive for a very specific client base. DM's ending their trips in ATL without checked bags, get a express ride to their cars in the lot.
Delta wins by providing a really cool perk - it's the little things that make a difference
Porsche wins by showing its cars to customers who would fit the demographic of their customers.
DM's win in terms of coolness and convenience.
Delta wins by providing a really cool perk - it's the little things that make a difference
Porsche wins by showing its cars to customers who would fit the demographic of their customers.
DM's win in terms of coolness and convenience.
Nov 3, 2011, 1:46 pm
#118
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NYC with eyes on the world
Programs: DL-Kryptonium (DM+); HH-Diamond, SPG-Gold
Posts: 529
Some (very speculative) thoughts...
1) NW used to "surprise" elite/HVC flyers with phantom upgrades on international flights (domestic, also?). Perhaps DL/Porsche is providing something similar in the form of a phantom "WOW!" experience to surprise elite flyers and introduce them to a new "hometown" partner.
2) What about "White Envelope" customers (similar to BA's Premier, it seems). Didn't see it mentioned yet and, IIRC, one does not necessarily need to be DM to be in this invitation-only tier. And from my understanding, those who are "White Envelope" members employ the Fight Club motto. Perhaps it's a new benefit for the select few.
3) Personally, I have a hard time believing that DL would limit this "P2P" (Plane-to-Porsche) service to any one tier of elite flyers OR provide this to some elites and not to others in the same tier. (Yes, I know that statement is contradictory.) DL is challenged enough when it comes to delivering consistency in some areas (boarding, FEBO, SkyClub access, PDB, etc.) so I'd be surprised if they were able to add another "enhancement" without seriously aggravating some of the folks they're actually trying to please. This inconsistency would certainly be visible and, based on this thread, DL wouldn't hear the end of it.
4) IMHO it's really not scalable and I doubt it's sustainable long-term. Maybe they're in a testing phase and intend to offer this as a paid service down the road or as one of the extra benefits for full-fare J clients.
Just some ideas and I'm looking forward to an official announcement from DL (or Canarsie
).
FWIW, I called the DM line today about something else and mentioned hearing about the new P2P service. He started laughing and asked me to repeat what I said. He had no idea what I was talking about and I'm pretty sure he thought I was joking. I told him it's going to make for some interesting conversations in the SLC call center today.
2) What about "White Envelope" customers (similar to BA's Premier, it seems). Didn't see it mentioned yet and, IIRC, one does not necessarily need to be DM to be in this invitation-only tier. And from my understanding, those who are "White Envelope" members employ the Fight Club motto. Perhaps it's a new benefit for the select few.
3) Personally, I have a hard time believing that DL would limit this "P2P" (Plane-to-Porsche) service to any one tier of elite flyers OR provide this to some elites and not to others in the same tier. (Yes, I know that statement is contradictory.) DL is challenged enough when it comes to delivering consistency in some areas (boarding, FEBO, SkyClub access, PDB, etc.) so I'd be surprised if they were able to add another "enhancement" without seriously aggravating some of the folks they're actually trying to please. This inconsistency would certainly be visible and, based on this thread, DL wouldn't hear the end of it.
4) IMHO it's really not scalable and I doubt it's sustainable long-term. Maybe they're in a testing phase and intend to offer this as a paid service down the road or as one of the extra benefits for full-fare J clients.
Just some ideas and I'm looking forward to an official announcement from DL (or Canarsie
). FWIW, I called the DM line today about something else and mentioned hearing about the new P2P service. He started laughing and asked me to repeat what I said. He had no idea what I was talking about and I'm pretty sure he thought I was joking. I told him it's going to make for some interesting conversations in the SLC call center today.
Nov 3, 2011, 2:01 pm
#120
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Likely being followed...
Programs: DYKWIA Extraordinaire. TrollSlayer Mega Diamond. [insert esoteric sounding status level(s) here]
Posts: 5,240
Doubtful. If you were, you'd know it. I'm at double where you are and not considered an HVC.
+1
It's been made relatively apparent that DL values $ over MQM there are valuable pax from a $ perspective and then those from a frequency perspective. Wouldn't be surprised to see a slow tweak of benefits to emphasize the $ vs frequency pax over time.