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Originally Posted by Deltahater
(Post 20079319)
Yes, you have to have a target... For example, Coca-Cola's target audience are teens 13-17. That is who they want. Now, there are ads targeted mom's because of the buyer and the consumer are not the same people. (not so much the case in air travel).
However, Coke is very happy if you and I buy coke and drink it, but the target audience is older teens and all their brand positioning and USP is based on that audience |
I spent 13K in base fares on DL last year and quaified for DM on MQM! I guess I made the HVC club, even if just barely,....... Hey DL, where's my ride in the Porsche?:D
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We were talking about a GM, so 2 cpm rebate for 2 RDM per mile. That's still a 25% rebate on an 8 cpm fare.
DL's operating cost per seat mile is something north of 10 cpm. Even if you toss in some ancillary fees DL won't be breaking even if everyone is giving them 7.5 cents per mile. |
Originally Posted by andryas
(Post 20078344)
:confused: What is wrong with what he said? DTW-LAX? GM upgrade clears at the window? Since when?
As a GM I have never been upgraded at the window unless there are empty seats in F after my upgrade clears, on any flights. |
Originally Posted by NapaPatTours
(Post 20079383)
DL is not selling anything nearly as addictive as Coke.
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Another little devaluation of something left over from the old NW days:
Because of NW's Asian network, they used to offer the ability for Asia-Pacific based members to share miles for a $200 fee (which many Asian carriers allow for free) and DL continue with this, called Asia Share Miles. Useful and inexpensive way to transfer my Dad's miles across to my account. Now if you search for it on the new DL website, you get: We're sorry, you may no longer register for the SkyMiles Asia Share Miles program or add members to your Share Miles Account. If you are an existing member you may continue to use the program until your subscription completes. Use the Share Now button to access the transfer page. |
Originally Posted by gibraltar87
(Post 20077761)
Originally Posted by bennos
(Post 20077678)
Exactly. What those arguing that this will "thin the herd" (which is a pretty obnoxious phrase, btw) are missing is that Delta could -- today -- stop elite inflation by no longer offering MQMs for sale retroactive to 2012 for the 2013 year. But they aren't.
This is about DL driving more revenue from elites who will have to buy more expensive fares to maintain their status, by dropping some low level elites who will buy a la carte services to replace what they would have gotten for free (similar to FO losing second bag free), and by driving more purchases to DL metal by devaluing partner MQMs and making those purchase ineligible for MQD. Even if there are fewer elites it won't make the benefits easier to obtain. FCM will continue, the sale of benefits like earlier boarding for nominal fees will continue and/or they will give more away with Amex. They will continue to sell SC access at bargain basement prices. I bet they'll even start selling UGs at the gate and give them priority over medallion UGs. Just wait. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying that I suspect those of you who will continue to qualify under the new rules and think you are in for a refreshing dose of luxury and attentive service like the glory days of Pan Am are in for a surprise. |
When I saw Delta making changes to FF status I assumed I was gonna get screwed. Turns out it will help me get back to Platinum as I normally spend between 8-12 thousand a yr on flights. Most of mine are a week or 2 out so I'm celebrating like it's 1999. :)
Edit didn't realize you had to hit 75k miles AND $7500 spent. Damn. Effective this calendar yr right? |
Originally Posted by Cloudship
(Post 20079294)
Are they really? Are you really paying your share? Unlike those of you who can spend $25K a year on flying, that is more than half my take home salary (actually considerably more!). It is often the same ones who complain about us "passengers of size" who are also the first to say that we shouldnt be entitled to an obtainable means to get a larger seat. Is the first class seat a reasonable cost difference from the coach seat? No - it is many multiples more.
If earnings were truly the issue, then they would solve it once and for all by making a first class seat fare proportional to the increases in space. Then you get what you pay for, they aren't subsidizing anyone, no one has an unfair advantage, and airlines profits will be based on their marketplace performance. But instead those with the expense accounts get treated extra special, and get the discounts that the low fare people end up having to subsidize and not have any fair shot at benefits themselves. FF programs are really the balance in that equation. They let those who simply don't have teh means to pay high premiums to not be screwed over by lack of competition. If in fact there IS no way for someone to get First class, then you have no justification for forcing air travel instead of train travel, subsidizing airlines, and allowing mega mergers that dry up any competition. I think if Ff programs are going to become elitist to big spenders, then it is justified that fare controls are put in place to offer everyone fair pricing instead of just the rich. This is a supply/demand/price-based marketplace. DL has every right to charge what it wants for a seat in its front cabin. If those prices are too high, those cabins will go out empty (or full of upgraders). Every DL flight I've taken in the past year - granted, mostly to/from LAS - has been zeroed out in F days out, including me on a paid A or F fare. If DL is selling out the F cabin (and thereby "cheating" elites out of their well-earned upgrades) as it seems they have on nearly every flight I've taken this year, then I would say they are doing something right. Funny enough, however, I'm on the same side of the overall issue that you are. These changes, taken as a whole, serve to spit in the face of someone like me who flies DL F almost exclusively domestically and has no problem spending $5-10k on an intl J/F ticket multiple times a year, but chooses a Skyteam partner since Delta's BE product, quite frankly, blows. Why would I want to keep any flying with DL/Skyteam when my partner Star Alliance flights, on superior airlines such as LH/NH/TG/etc. will continue to earn 150% MQMs in J and 250% in F? |
Originally Posted by gibraltar87
(Post 20078714)
What about giving plats the same Bennie? After all they can choose SWU as well. As someone who travels internationally that would make me consider spending $7500 provided I can't get better perks for less from another carrier
I've pretty much flown NW+DL exclusively since 86 (with about a 3 year hiatus 2000-2003 where I flew the cheapest) but I gotta tell you the AA EXP match looks awfully tempting. I swore I'd never go thru another bankruptcy+merger but for 8 EVIPs (next year, I know) it might be worth it. |
Originally Posted by FlyDeltaJets87
(Post 20079410)
I dunno. Based on the things we on FT do to try to get higher status and more upgrades once we get our first taste up front, I think you could argue that Delta's product is as addictive as Coca-Cola. :D
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Second this. Delta is trying to convert the FFP to a rebate program, and shows its true love is really not its customers. If that is the case, why not be genuine and just label the delta peso as a rebate program?
Originally Posted by flightline
(Post 20079342)
As frustrating as this is, it occurs to me that one airline has already proven that treating your customers like dirt is a valid and successful business strategy: RYANAIR.
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Originally Posted by bubbashow
(Post 20078185)
Originally Posted by jdrtravel
(Post 20077891)
Suggestion that nobody will listen to: What if the MQD were only enforced for PM and DM? There is already a natural break in services provided between GM and PM. This way, those of us with lower spend that remain loyal to Delta could be incentivized to maintain our loyalty, while higher level elites would see their ranks thin and thus have better service, more upgrades, etc? I don't see the value for Delta having less silvers and golds....is it to get more baggage fees and EC fees our of us? I suppose that would raise a bit more revenue, but would this not be off set by the loss of loyalty?
FO and GM siphon benefits. I just purchased a last-minute DTWLAX and there were no upgrade seats. I know - WF, BF. However, why should I (a Platinum) on a VERY, VERY, VERY high fare (yes out of my pocket) be sitting in back because a GM got a window upgrade? THIN THE HERD so those paying the bills get the perks. How do you know GMs were UGed at the window? And let's see... DL has studied this and determined that their strategy with respect to UGs on that flight maximized profit. They're not going to listen to a whining PM who doesn't want to pay and isn't profitable for them. But please, write in to complain, it'll be HILARIOUS! I have already written Richard Andersen personally thanking him for denying you the UG. Oh and, WFBF! |
Basically DL is saying, "I have not made enough $$$ from you FFs and I am going to do that." They complete forget FFs are the most valuable asset in the long term. As a DL elite member, I have already started to look for alternatives, and I will tell everyone that I know to switch shop from DL - DO LEAVE.
Originally Posted by deerflyer
(Post 20079472)
Second this. Delta is trying to convert the FFP to a rebate program, and shows its true love is really not its customers. If that is the case, why not be genuine and just label the delta peso as a rebate program?
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Originally Posted by dgxoxo
(Post 20078368)
Originally Posted by bubbashow
(Post 20078185)
Here is why.
FO and GM siphon benefits. I just purchased a last-minute DTWLAX and there were no upgrade seats. I know - WF, BF. However, why should I (a Platinum) on a VERY, VERY, VERY high fare (yes out of my pocket) be sitting in back because a GM got a window upgrade? THIN THE HERD so those paying the bills get the perks. |
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