Should I come back?
Jun 7, 2016, 8:13 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,255
I am NYC based. I am usually a PM or a DM. My upgrade percentage is close to 90% on low paid fare classes. I have gotten upgrades on transcons too, not just short haul.
If you're sitting in C+, all it takes to get more drinks is to ask. Easy as that.
I tend to book mileage seats WAY far in advance. I am usually able to find low level J seats, but I certainly have been flexible or inventive.
If you're sitting in C+, all it takes to get more drinks is to ask. Easy as that.
I tend to book mileage seats WAY far in advance. I am usually able to find low level J seats, but I certainly have been flexible or inventive.
Jun 7, 2016, 9:34 am
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,428
I am NYC based. I am usually a PM or a DM. My upgrade percentage is close to 90% on low paid fare classes. I have gotten upgrades on transcons too, not just short haul.
If you're sitting in C+, all it takes to get more drinks is to ask. Easy as that.
I tend to book mileage seats WAY far in advance. I am usually able to find low level J seats, but I certainly have been flexible or inventive.
If you're sitting in C+, all it takes to get more drinks is to ask. Easy as that.
I tend to book mileage seats WAY far in advance. I am usually able to find low level J seats, but I certainly have been flexible or inventive.
Jun 7, 2016, 10:28 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
I'm in a similar boat. I'm a SAN based 1MM Delta guy, and was Platinum back when I was traveling a lot. Between changing jobs and being disgusted with the gutting of Skymiles, I switched to AA. I'll be EXP this year. But with the announced changes at AA, I'm thinking of status matching EXP over to Plat and going back to DL next year.
Except for Skymiles, I think DL is superior is every way to AA. I still have 500K Skymiles, 880K AA miles, and lots of other points via Credit cards.
Most of my business travel is last minute, and for overseas legs we can do paid J.
So I'm currently thinking to wait until later in this year when I make EXP then match on DL to Plat and shift all biz travel to DL next year. I don't know if I'll make Diamond in 2017, but should easily make 75K miles.
Point of clarification on the Amex and MQD waiver. Is there a min spend on the Amex card, or merely possessing it? And which DL Amex card gives the waiver?
Except for Skymiles, I think DL is superior is every way to AA. I still have 500K Skymiles, 880K AA miles, and lots of other points via Credit cards.
Most of my business travel is last minute, and for overseas legs we can do paid J.
So I'm currently thinking to wait until later in this year when I make EXP then match on DL to Plat and shift all biz travel to DL next year. I don't know if I'll make Diamond in 2017, but should easily make 75K miles.
Point of clarification on the Amex and MQD waiver. Is there a min spend on the Amex card, or merely possessing it? And which DL Amex card gives the waiver?
Jun 7, 2016, 11:20 am
#34
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,713
I'm in a similar boat. I'm a SAN based 1MM Delta guy, and was Platinum back when I was traveling a lot. Between changing jobs and being disgusted with the gutting of Skymiles, I switched to AA. I'll be EXP this year. But with the announced changes at AA, I'm thinking of status matching EXP over to Plat and going back to DL next year.
Except for Skymiles, I think DL is superior is every way to AA. I still have 500K Skymiles, 880K AA miles, and lots of other points via Credit cards.
Most of my business travel is last minute, and for overseas legs we can do paid J.
So I'm currently thinking to wait until later in this year when I make EXP then match on DL to Plat and shift all biz travel to DL next year. I don't know if I'll make Diamond in 2017, but should easily make 75K miles.
Point of clarification on the Amex and MQD waiver. Is there a min spend on the Amex card, or merely possessing it? And which DL Amex card gives the waiver?
Except for Skymiles, I think DL is superior is every way to AA. I still have 500K Skymiles, 880K AA miles, and lots of other points via Credit cards.
Most of my business travel is last minute, and for overseas legs we can do paid J.
So I'm currently thinking to wait until later in this year when I make EXP then match on DL to Plat and shift all biz travel to DL next year. I don't know if I'll make Diamond in 2017, but should easily make 75K miles.
Point of clarification on the Amex and MQD waiver. Is there a min spend on the Amex card, or merely possessing it? And which DL Amex card gives the waiver?
Jun 7, 2016, 11:47 am
#35
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,580
I don't disagree. The easy way of using SkyMiles was always partner redemptions. VA has all but disappeared. KE almost never has more than 1 Business class seat offered per flight. Even AF and KL have gotten more tightfisted. Delta has also gotten harder to redeem for lower mileage amounts on their own metal ever since married segment logic came into play a year ago.
My experience is that not only is it easier to find low-level awards now than in past years (in no small part because the award calendar now works pretty well in my experience), the low level awards are now sometimes cheaper than they were in past years, either through temporary sales (e.g., I booked 4 Biz tickets MCI-DTW/ATL-LHR last fall for 87k miles each during one such sale) or the permanent availability of lower level awards on some domestic flights (e.g., MCI-MCO is now 7,500 miles each way at the lowest level, something I have already taken advantage of myself, and it is widely available).
Jun 7, 2016, 12:05 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,428
Thanks for all the responses. At this point I'm really leaning toward coming back to DL. I always had exceptional service from DL and I think the benefits outweigh the downsides.
Any more input is still greatly appreciated. Especially as it pertains to domestic upgrades as that is the one perk that I appreciate most.
Any more input is still greatly appreciated. Especially as it pertains to domestic upgrades as that is the one perk that I appreciate most.
Jun 7, 2016, 12:36 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,713
Thanks for all the responses. At this point I'm really leaning toward coming back to DL. I always had exceptional service from DL and I think the benefits outweigh the downsides.
Any more input is still greatly appreciated. Especially as it pertains to domestic upgrades as that is the one perk that I appreciate most.
Any more input is still greatly appreciated. Especially as it pertains to domestic upgrades as that is the one perk that I appreciate most.
I've used one of my regional upgrade certificates so far this year, to snag the last seat on ATL-PDX.
If you generally fly on Monday mornings or Friday evenings, your chances are going to be lower, but that's true of all the airlines. I'm flexible enough to be able to maximize my chances by picking the right times, routes, and days (flying on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays). I admit that my total is padded somewhat by easier short-hauls on the East Coast. Most longer routes out of ATL are tough without using a certificate, but if you can avoid connections there, your percentage has a chance at being good as a Diamond.
Jun 7, 2016, 12:45 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Prfrence
Posts: 5,392
On flights of 3+ hours, you might get two watering runs, but only one chance at the snack basket.
Jun 7, 2016, 1:55 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,713
On flights of 80-90 minute duration, like DCA-ATL or ATL-PBI, they make one watering run. Thus, in C+, I order two beers. You get 0.5 ounces of peanuts in C+, unless someone is allergic to peanut dust, when you get 0.5 ounces of mini pretzels.
On flights of 3+ hours, you might get two watering runs, but only one chance at the snack basket.
On flights of 3+ hours, you might get two watering runs, but only one chance at the snack basket.
One of the most maddening things about the C+ experience is the inconsistency. Sometimes you get the same exact service as coach, other times, it feels like an elevated experience. On a recent flight, the FA even gave out hot towels to C+ passengers, and took drink orders down as would be done in FC.
Jun 7, 2016, 7:08 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
On flights with the snack-basket, it totally depends on the crew. Some don't pass it around it all, others only once, some twice.
One of the most maddening things about the C+ experience is the inconsistency. Sometimes you get the same exact service as coach, other times, it feels like an elevated experience. On a recent flight, the FA even gave out hot towels to C+ passengers, and took drink orders down as would be done in FC.
One of the most maddening things about the C+ experience is the inconsistency. Sometimes you get the same exact service as coach, other times, it feels like an elevated experience. On a recent flight, the FA even gave out hot towels to C+ passengers, and took drink orders down as would be done in FC.
Jun 8, 2016, 5:14 am
#41
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
As my signature shows, I've been pretty lucky with domestic upgrades. The only two I've missed this year have been DCA-ATL, and vice versa.
I've used one of my regional upgrade certificates so far this year, to snag the last seat on ATL-PDX.
If you generally fly on Monday mornings or Friday evenings, your chances are going to be lower, but that's true of all the airlines. I'm flexible enough to be able to maximize my chances by picking the right times, routes, and days (flying on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays). I admit that my total is padded somewhat by easier short-hauls on the East Coast. Most longer routes out of ATL are tough without using a certificate, but if you can avoid connections there, your percentage has a chance at being good as a Diamond.
I've used one of my regional upgrade certificates so far this year, to snag the last seat on ATL-PDX.
If you generally fly on Monday mornings or Friday evenings, your chances are going to be lower, but that's true of all the airlines. I'm flexible enough to be able to maximize my chances by picking the right times, routes, and days (flying on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays). I admit that my total is padded somewhat by easier short-hauls on the East Coast. Most longer routes out of ATL are tough without using a certificate, but if you can avoid connections there, your percentage has a chance at being good as a Diamond.
Jun 8, 2016, 6:29 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Delta GM/1.5MM ~ United Silver ~ Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,434
I'm in a similar boat. I'm a SAN based 1MM Delta guy, and was Platinum back when I was traveling a lot. Between changing jobs and being disgusted with the gutting of Skymiles, I switched to AA. I'll be EXP this year. But with the announced changes at AA, I'm thinking of status matching EXP over to Plat and going back to DL next year.
Except for Skymiles, I think DL is superior is every way to AA. I still have 500K Skymiles, 880K AA miles, and lots of other points via Credit cards.
Most of my business travel is last minute, and for overseas legs we can do paid J.
So I'm currently thinking to wait until later in this year when I make EXP then match on DL to Plat and shift all biz travel to DL next year. I don't know if I'll make Diamond in 2017, but should easily make 75K miles.
Point of clarification on the Amex and MQD waiver. Is there a min spend on the Amex card, or merely possessing it? And which DL Amex card gives the waiver?
Except for Skymiles, I think DL is superior is every way to AA. I still have 500K Skymiles, 880K AA miles, and lots of other points via Credit cards.
Most of my business travel is last minute, and for overseas legs we can do paid J.
So I'm currently thinking to wait until later in this year when I make EXP then match on DL to Plat and shift all biz travel to DL next year. I don't know if I'll make Diamond in 2017, but should easily make 75K miles.
Point of clarification on the Amex and MQD waiver. Is there a min spend on the Amex card, or merely possessing it? And which DL Amex card gives the waiver?
As an FYI, DL is not going to status match or offer a challenge when you're a MM/2MM/3MM and are and FO or GM.
If you're thinking of getting into the program do it now. Also with RUC/GUC its different. You don't earn 2016 and 2017 PM/DM benefits like it used to - you now only earn 2017 when you flip into PM/DM as your benefits last until the end of 2017 - so if you wait til next year to start earning then your benefits are 2017/2018 and next time to earn is 2019.
Jun 8, 2016, 6:35 am
#43
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,713
I would have said something to them, as the FA should have done.
Jun 8, 2016, 8:05 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
yngdiego
As an FYI, DL is not going to status match or offer a challenge when you're a MM/2MM/3MM and are and FO or GM.
If you're thinking of getting into the program do it now. Also with RUC/GUC its different. You don't earn 2016 and 2017 PM/DM benefits like it used to - you now only earn 2017 when you flip into PM/DM as your benefits last until the end of 2017 - so if you wait til next year to start earning then your benefits are 2017/2018 and next time to earn is 2019.
As an FYI, DL is not going to status match or offer a challenge when you're a MM/2MM/3MM and are and FO or GM.
If you're thinking of getting into the program do it now. Also with RUC/GUC its different. You don't earn 2016 and 2017 PM/DM benefits like it used to - you now only earn 2017 when you flip into PM/DM as your benefits last until the end of 2017 - so if you wait til next year to start earning then your benefits are 2017/2018 and next time to earn is 2019.
Jun 8, 2016, 10:13 am
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,428
yngdiego
As an FYI, DL is not going to status match or offer a challenge when you're a MM/2MM/3MM and are and FO or GM.
If you're thinking of getting into the program do it now. Also with RUC/GUC its different. You don't earn 2016 and 2017 PM/DM benefits like it used to - you now only earn 2017 when you flip into PM/DM as your benefits last until the end of 2017 - so if you wait til next year to start earning then your benefits are 2017/2018 and next time to earn is 2019.
As an FYI, DL is not going to status match or offer a challenge when you're a MM/2MM/3MM and are and FO or GM.
If you're thinking of getting into the program do it now. Also with RUC/GUC its different. You don't earn 2016 and 2017 PM/DM benefits like it used to - you now only earn 2017 when you flip into PM/DM as your benefits last until the end of 2017 - so if you wait til next year to start earning then your benefits are 2017/2018 and next time to earn is 2019.