Delta Raises Maximum VDB Compensation to $9,950 in Vouchers
Apr 15, 2017, 10:17 am
#121
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This change is barely real or positive. It's mostly a PR stunt. DL is already at a near zero IDB rate (and remember that not all IDBs are due compensation). This change doesn't materially affect anyone. No one will come anywhere close to the maximum. Few, if any, will ever get more than the old maximums. It might not move their low IDB rate at all. It's a non-story. If DL wanted to make a real change and not just a PR stunt, they would announce generous compensation for all of the hundreds of thousands affected by their meltdown. That would be real and positive.
Apr 15, 2017, 10:21 am
#122
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This change is barely real or positive. It's mostly a PR stunt. DL is already at a near zero IDB rate (and remember that not all IDBs are due compensation). This change doesn't materially affect anyone. No one will come anywhere close to the maximum. Few, if any, will ever get more than the old maximums. It might not move their low IDB rate at all. It's a non-story. If DL wanted to make a real change and not just a PR stunt, they would announce generous compensation for all of the hundreds of thousands affected by their meltdown. That would be real and positive.
I agree that the impact is limited as Delta is already so good with IDB, but I don't think that makes it meaningless.
Apr 15, 2017, 11:26 am
#123
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Delta's charitable contributions could fund the cure for HIV, and people could still complain that fares would be lower if Delta focused on their own business. This is true for most businesses, imo
Last edited by Widgets; Apr 15, 2017 at 11:33 am
Apr 15, 2017, 11:28 am
#124
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Now having said that since not officially public by Delta they can walk it back if they want. Then again, they could walk it back if they had made it public too.
Apr 15, 2017, 11:34 am
#125
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I read this as indicating a major effort by Delta to improve their operations so as to make VDB an extremely rare occurrence. I expect that along with this public announcement, quite a few internal memos about this also went out.
It's voucher "money" true. But at those rates, rebooks on other carriers will return as a viable alternative, at least to Delta customers.
It's voucher "money" true. But at those rates, rebooks on other carriers will return as a viable alternative, at least to Delta customers.
Apr 15, 2017, 11:40 am
#126
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> on MSNBC talking about this. I'm guessing that it's "OUT THERE" enough now that it'd be hard to walk back.
Apr 15, 2017, 12:19 pm
#127
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Agreed.
Apr 15, 2017, 12:31 pm
#128
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I have heard stories of folks in Charlotte booking refundable tix on day before Thanksgiving and getting bumped and rebumped several times on that single day.
I live in a small college town. A good day to try this is the morning after the college's graduation when everyone is trying to fly out.
I live in a small college town. A good day to try this is the morning after the college's graduation when everyone is trying to fly out.
Apr 15, 2017, 12:37 pm
#129
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I agree that this is a great idea, although I wonder whether employees will be instructed to avoid using extremely high VDBs and going to IDBs long before hitting the $2000/$9950 limits. I suspect that $9950 is a nice round number proxy for $9999 which might be limited by the number of digits that can be input for this function to avoid expensive fat finger errors.
Realistically, many people can't use such high voucher amounts in a single year. Even $2000 of "free" travel on DL during the next twelve months would be excessive for many people, although of course someone could take the opportunity to make their special trip of a lifetime.
Realistically, many people can't use such high voucher amounts in a single year. Even $2000 of "free" travel on DL during the next twelve months would be excessive for many people, although of course someone could take the opportunity to make their special trip of a lifetime.
"DOT requires each airline to give all passengers who are bumped involuntarily a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn't."
Do you suppose Dr. Dao was provided this before he was cold cocked and dragged off the plane?
"Those travelers who don't get to fly are frequently entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash."
In addition to avoiding the inflation of IDB statistics, there is an incentive to induce folks to VDB instead of IDB. A $1350 VDB e-coupon is likely not going to cost the airline $1350 in out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, you have to wonder how frequently airlines reimburse IBD'd PAX in e-coupons rather than by check.
To be reimbursed for an IDB with an e-coupon would be a great irony... just like the $100 and $200 "customer service adjustment" coupons the airlines issue. The only way to gain the value of the coupon is to give more business (and, potentially, more money) to the airline that shafted you in the first place.
Apr 15, 2017, 12:44 pm
#130
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It depends on the location and how much time I have to think about it. If I can get a decent hotel for $45, and I have time to figure out where it is, I'd rather pay the $45 and take the $89 Delta dollars. But it would be a lot to think about on top of rescheduling my flying, so I'm glad the airline makes the hotel booking for me and saves me the mental taxation even if I could theoretically come out ahead the other way.
Seth
Seth
Apr 15, 2017, 12:48 pm
#131
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A good Daily Telegraph article on Delta's limit increase
Some interesting excepts:
Pretty neatly sums up the differences in corporate cultural...
Pretty amazing that Delta already pays over double of what AA does per pax and nearly double UA. Phenomenal customer dedication.
Some interesting excepts:
Pretty neatly sums up the differences in corporate cultural...
Pretty amazing that Delta already pays over double of what AA does per pax and nearly double UA. Phenomenal customer dedication.
Apr 15, 2017, 1:01 pm
#132
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To me at least, it is unclear if the article is quoting numbers for average VBD payout, average IDB payout, or combined.
Apr 15, 2017, 1:29 pm
#133
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The AP has published they have the internal memo on it a.k.a. off the Delta NET. They, the AP, only publish stuff like that if they have the proof in had.
Now having said that since not officially public by Delta they can walk it back if they want. Then again, they could walk it back if they had made it public too.
Now having said that since not officially public by Delta they can walk it back if they want. Then again, they could walk it back if they had made it public too.
Apr 15, 2017, 1:29 pm
#134
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A couple of points related to the DOT rules that I have not seen come out in the news media coverage, as the media attempts to "educate" the readers.
"DOT requires each airline to give all passengers who are bumped involuntarily a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn't."
Do you suppose Dr. Dao was provided this before he was cold cocked and dragged off the plane?
"Those travelers who don't get to fly are frequently entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash."
In addition to avoiding the inflation of IDB statistics, there is an incentive to induce folks to VDB instead of IDB. A $1350 VDB e-coupon is likely not going to cost the airline $1350 in out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, you have to wonder how frequently airlines reimburse IBD'd PAX in e-coupons rather than by check.
To be reimbursed for an IDB with an e-coupon would be a great irony... just like the $100 and $200 "customer service adjustment" coupons the airlines issue. The only way to gain the value of the coupon is to give more business (and, potentially, more money) to the airline that shafted you in the first place.
"DOT requires each airline to give all passengers who are bumped involuntarily a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn't."
Do you suppose Dr. Dao was provided this before he was cold cocked and dragged off the plane?
"Those travelers who don't get to fly are frequently entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash."
In addition to avoiding the inflation of IDB statistics, there is an incentive to induce folks to VDB instead of IDB. A $1350 VDB e-coupon is likely not going to cost the airline $1350 in out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, you have to wonder how frequently airlines reimburse IBD'd PAX in e-coupons rather than by check.
To be reimbursed for an IDB with an e-coupon would be a great irony... just like the $100 and $200 "customer service adjustment" coupons the airlines issue. The only way to gain the value of the coupon is to give more business (and, potentially, more money) to the airline that shafted you in the first place.