Carl Johnson

Yes, on AA or B6, some of them. The ones buying BE on Delta now are the same ones buying it before, but Delta pushed some of them out when they raised the price up so much. It's only because of the price increase that I upgraded last year as much as I did.

The no-upgrade policy won't bring in more paying passengers, because paying passengers don't care about defining other people as Untermenschen and don't spend their time worrying about whether Untermenschen are in the same cabin with them. They care about the experience, and the Delta experience on transcons isn't worth the price for a lot of people that have the cash to pay for it but don't feel the value they get is worth it. Thus the empty seats.

sethb

Today's remaining JFK to LAX NS are J7, J2, J1, J5. Tomorrow's are J9, J9, J2, J9, J9, J4, J8, J9.

In the other direction, today's are all J0, tomorrow's are J8, J6, J6, J9, J5, J1, J4, J7.

So it does not appear they're selling out (and if they did, upgrade possibility wouldn't matter, anyway).

sethb

Since this is a relatively slow-to-show-results process, I'd give at least 6 months before Delta decides to make changes (and then, a full reversal might not be the case anyway).

In my world, "expect" does not mean "maybe 1/3 of the time". Even though I'm fully eligible for upgrades traveling, say, NYC-MSP, I mostly don't get them; I certainly don't expect them.

If it's sufficiently important to me to sit up front then I'd pay for it rather than roll the dice and probably lose.

And "all the DM were leaving anyway" is your strawman, not an argument made by any real person. Some DM are leaving, in whole or in part.

const3

I just said I am at the gate and the agent is unable to see my upgrade request "can you transfer it here so she can clear". This was about 90 min to departure. They responded 5 min later that I was all set and I saw myself on the list. I am not sure it would work on sea-atl, isn't that a normal complementary elite upgrade ? You would be on the list anyway.

bubbashow

...are you aware of how much walk up there is on this route? I mean, I know you are bummed because you can't freeload a five course meal (and by this point WE REALLY GET IT - DL doesn't know HOW IMPORTANT your low rev butt is in their seat), but come on...there is a LOT of high revenue activity on this route.

bennos

It may not bring in more people paying J prices, but it may bring in more money via upgrades.

I've already bought up to K and used (old) SWUs 4 times when I would have bought X or V instead. 3 of the 4 times confirmed at booking, the fourth cleared at the gate. So far the UG lists I've seen have had around 2 people on them on average, so if DL went from giving BE away to K+SWU or K+mileage buy-ups, they're ahead.

I actually have no problem with this. My issue is that K+miles works out to be about the same price as B6, except B6 will confirm me in advance on any flight whereas DL has very limited inventory for UG. Once the 50% RDM reduction comes into play next year, DL will have no advantage to me in carrier selection.

DL2SXM

DL K fares on JFK to LAX are running around $820.00 for the few random dates I checked in Sept/Oct. That will net you approx 10660 skymiles. Almost enough for a one way redemption into J. I have to decide if the jetblue MINT deal is better. Thing is, the whole Delta JFK experience tilts my decision making towards DL's K fares. I absolutely love the new sky terrace in T4. I usually get to the AP several hours ahead of time and spend just about all of it on the terrace, enjoying the drink, food and the planes landing and taking off. Call me old school but I absolutely get a huge thrill out of that...it relaxes me.

Carl Johnson

I go to Wingtips and spend the time eating decent food and drinking decent drinks, and watching planes landing and taking off, and generally pop into the Skyclub for a shower. I miscalculated last time and Skyclub showers were full and I didn't have enough time. I was telling this to a friend, saying Wingtips has OK showers and Skyclub has great showers - she said, what's wrong with an OK shower. A fair point.

clr4t8koff

Not to stray too far of topic - I'm right there with you and most people don't understand how cathartic it is to watch planes land and take off unless you're an enthusiast like us. While the SkyDeck is an awesome amenity and I can't wait to try it now that the restrictions on SkyClub entrance have started, the problem is that the Northeast isn't exactly known for its great outdoor weather. The SkyDeck's shelf-life each year is about 3.5 months. I'll definitely take it, but I'd rather DL invest in other amenities like more substantial food, than to build decks which are more limited use novelty items. Just my opinion....

mother-

You must have, or you're on acid.

And thank you for recognizing my brilliance, it warms the cockles of my heart.

Perhaps you spend hours sitting in the SkyClub to gather or regain your strength for the Long Walk

But being serious, I, and most of the people I know, are massively turned off by the debacle of flying in/out of T4
-If you don't get PreCheck, security is a nightmare
-It's an ungodly long walk to the new gates
-The travelators are too narrow to pass a standing person, so I hope you're not in a rush.
-It's an ungodly long walk to get out of the terminal from ANY gate

I've actually started using LeGarbage to avoid it when I'm doing carry-on travel... The long connector to B9 is a breeze compared to doing T4, and their lounge has none of the faults of the SkyClub

jooce

I've never found a $249 fare, but I have booked this trip for $315 RT a few times. Delta hates customers like me. I got PM from mostly business travel and then I spend the least amount of money possible for personal flights. My reaction towards this new policy is that it sucks, but it's life.

Also switching jobs soon so I'll rarely fly any airline anymore.

TrojanTraveler

Why do so many of your posts have a loud and angry tone? Is there a sadness or unhappiness in your life? It seems like you are overcompensating for something.

The tone of many of your posts, as well as some of those who agree and disagree with you, encourage me to not participate/contribute to this forum. And I can't be alone.

ProfessAW

Out of the blue on DL 1262 on 5/3, I scan my boarding pass at the gate at the agent prints out a tiny receipt and says "you have a new seat". Upgraded to BE lie-flat from a cheap paid V connecting from SJC. Didn't ask for for the upgrade and the cabin was full. I was happy

MAH4546

And with amongst the lowest fares in the market, even after improved service, Delta still isn't capturing that market, especially with all of Hollywood in bed with American.

readywhenyouare

I hope you will stick around. Most of us are not like this user and several others who follow his technique of trying to get you to subscribe to their point of view.