Blistering NYT piece on SkyMiles: In DL’s FF Magic Trick, Not Just Rabbits Disappear
Aug 7, 2015, 8:43 am
#196
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
some more data in favor of Delta.
For comparison purposes, if I want to earn enough miles to fly JFK to LAX/SFO in:
MINT - at a base fare of $400.00 it will take me nearly 60 RT flights to earn enough TB points for a MINT seat.
D1 - at the same base fare of $400.00 I will only need to fly roughly 23 round trips to earn enough skymiles for a D1 seat.
So, who has the better program in this regard? Delta
For comparison purposes, if I want to earn enough miles to fly JFK to LAX/SFO in:
MINT - at a base fare of $400.00 it will take me nearly 60 RT flights to earn enough TB points for a MINT seat.
D1 - at the same base fare of $400.00 I will only need to fly roughly 23 round trips to earn enough skymiles for a D1 seat.
So, who has the better program in this regard? Delta
I just booked FC at 65K RT JFK-LAX-JFK (First Saver departing Thurs, Sept 10 and there is still one left if you want it
)To earn that I flew 6 LAX-BOS RTs @ $380.00 ea (avg) and was upgrades on 10 of the 12 segments.
Total spend =$2280 including tax. So I got transcon 7 RT's and one in Flagship First for what you paid for 1 DL RT.
Aug 7, 2015, 9:47 am
#197
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
American:
I just booked FC at 65K RT JFK-LAX-JFK (First Saver departing Thurs, Sept 10 and there is still one left if you want it)
To earn that I flew 6 LAX-BOS RTs @ $380.00 ea (avg) and was upgrades on 10 of the 12 segments.
Total spend =$2280 including tax. So I got transcon 7 RT's and one in Flagship First for what you paid for 1 DL RT.
I just booked FC at 65K RT JFK-LAX-JFK (First Saver departing Thurs, Sept 10 and there is still one left if you want it
)To earn that I flew 6 LAX-BOS RTs @ $380.00 ea (avg) and was upgrades on 10 of the 12 segments.
Total spend =$2280 including tax. So I got transcon 7 RT's and one in Flagship First for what you paid for 1 DL RT.
Aug 8, 2015, 4:41 pm
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
A serious business traveler might consider schedule first and foremost. But there is no doubt that the FF program often factors into the purchase decision. If I am DM on Delta and dirt on AA, and planning to maintain that status in both programs, I certainly may choose a connecting flight or a more expensive flight on Delta vs. a cheaper or non-stop option on AA, within a reasonable price range and if my schedule allows. If I'm flying home from LAX on a redeye and I have a decent shot at an upgrade to a flat bed seat vs. a 100% guarantee of a plain old coach seat, you bet that's going to be a factor in my purchase decision.
Just ask B********.
Aug 8, 2015, 4:52 pm
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316