Originally Posted by squatch

i have not read all 59 pages on this thread so far, but i can tell you this:

i am based in NYC. because of the gate swap at LGA and some other logistical reasons, i switched ALL of my flying this year to delta. the reason i did this was to centralize my miles in one spot and make those miles count for my family since delta flies pretty much everywhere.

hearing rumor of a spending-based model rather than a miles-based model is probably going to chase me away. i fly two or three times a week, most often to destinations where fares are in the sub-$300 range. this earns me a nice amount of segments and probably an average amount of miles, but my spend is not large. there is no way to change this. what i spend is up for review by my company and clients and dropping excess money on tickets is not acceptable.

it sounds like delta is not interested in promoting loyalty in customers like me because i'm not flying on $3000 business class tickets every time i step on to a plane.

i'll wait and see what happens, but if it's anything like the accumulated rumors posted here, i'll be taking my business elsewhere. it's a shame, though, since delta has successfully acquired most of the gates at LGA and has a significant presence at JFK. flying will be a bit less convenient for me, but if i'm not the kind of customer valued by delta, i'll just go away.

Originally Posted by fti

Actually it doesn't say anything. Delta doesn't engage hardly any of us on FT. When they do, it is a one-sided "conversation."

Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney

StayingHomeIsBetter: what if I told you that many DL execs that I meet, once they hear I participate in FT they say first, "but you seem so normal" then after that ice breaker they ask if I know you or know what your 'story' is?

Apparently many, many people at DL read your posts. (You have a memorable handle). But they don't engage you, doesn't that say something? Possibly about the tone of your posts?

Originally Posted by ADLFO

You and I are in similar situations. However, while I didn't see this particular (revenue based) change coming, I did see how DL was treating its highest-level medallions and sought status elsewhere. Like you, I'm not hub locked like so many of our friends in ATL, MSP, DTW, etc. I know they may not like what DL is doing, but most of them won't have a great deal of latitude to switch primary carriers either. However, people in FL, CA, NY, MA and a great number of other popultion rich areas do have a choice of airlines. I would get my status match letter ready to go and when this becomes official, make sure you send it off immediately.

Originally Posted by dcline414

Hey! I resemble that comment!

Seriously though, we may be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable... but we aren't evil conniving maniacs!

Originally Posted by fti

Actually it doesn't say anything. Delta doesn't engage hardly any of us on FT. When they do, it is a one-sided "conversation."

Originally Posted by Crazyhotelguy

I will agree with the lack of feedback. They are welcome to converse here whenever they wish. It is obvious that they have chosen opt out of this discussion for whatever reason.

Originally Posted by StayingHomeIsBetter

An equally valid explanation would be that DL management have made up their minds and aren't looking for input.

Originally Posted by DLdweeb

And how will the Amex shills be able to claim "a free roundtrip" when the cost of the ticket is not known?

Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney

How do you know they don't reach out, possibly one-on-one?

Originally Posted by AUDirt

I know your advice is not meant for everyone, but you brought up something interesting. At the risk of restating what I said yesterday, I think DL knows it's playing to a largely captive audience.

Keeping in mind my home (and neighboring) airports, if I wanted to switch to a different carrier, let's look at what the options are:
* United? They seem to be struggling to get people from point A to B.
* Southwest? No thanks.
* American? It's hubs are poorly placed for about 70% of my travel
* US

By process of elimination, I am stuck flying US.

Originally Posted by dcline414

This thread got me interested, so I went digging through Delta's recent SEC filings... I'd say the writing has been pretty much on the wall the whole time:

• Delta Investor Relations Day 2011 Presentation:
  • Slide 32 (clarity of customer value, differentiated services):
    
  • Slide 44 (Unless I'm mistaken, this is the first I've seen of "VIP Select"):
    
• 8-K Filed 9/13/11:
  • Slide 8 (Upcoming: Revamped eCommerce platforms enable "revenue innovation", Enhance SkyMiles to reward the "best" customers):
    
    

Originally Posted by bajrbajr

it only takes one... seriously, how hard would it be to type-up an "internal memo" and post a want-ad "job listing?..." It has to be easier than faking a moon landing!

Originally Posted by nsx

The "enhance program to reward best customers" objective exactly matches Southwest's hints about Rapid Rewards. Those hints began between 1 and 2 years before the new program was launched. Other IT projects apparently had higher priority, so RR 2.0 was delayed by close to a year.

The sequence of events here is so similar to Southwest's that I wonder whether Delta hired a key participant (or consultant) from Southwest's project.

Originally Posted by nsx

The sequence of events here is so similar to Southwest's that I wonder whether Delta hired a key participant (or consultant) from Southwest's project.