I Thought Delta was better than this
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I, too, was triggered by this and had to retreat to my safe space for a considerable period. But, my teddy bear and I are venturing forth again.
#92
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: WN, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 1,313
There's simply no point to debate with your hypothetical. In the vast majority of paid routes, there isn't a true monopoly, and there would never be a pricing strategy like that. I truly have no idea what you're intending to prove.
#93
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
To be totally fair to the OP (who seems like just a semi-frequent traveler), airlines to have more strict policies regarding these things than other parts of the travel experience. For example, most hotels allow for cancelling and rebooking at no charge. The OP may have expected airlines to have a similar policy. The issue is the anger directed at Delta for standard industry practice.
#94
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
No, there isn't economic profit on the consumer side. In my econ language, since award ticket redemption is a monopoly market, flexible rates with no charts are designed to reduce utility for the consumer and increase "profit" for the airline. The current system makes it much easier for Delta to guarantee that award redemption rates will be low for every route--lower than the price for earning them. And it also increases the effectiveness of change and redeposit fees. Win-win for them. Lose-lose for you. Being able to offer a "cheaper than competitors" 10,000 mile Y one-way MSP-DEN that costs $83 in real life isn't high utility for consumers. It's still a win for the airline.
There's simply no point to debate with your hypothetical. In the vast majority of paid routes, there isn't a true monopoly, and there would never be a pricing strategy like that. I truly have no idea what you're intending to prove.
There's simply no point to debate with your hypothetical. In the vast majority of paid routes, there isn't a true monopoly, and there would never be a pricing strategy like that. I truly have no idea what you're intending to prove.
ATL-ORD RT: 10k (~2 cpm)
ASE-SFO: 5k (~6cpm)
ATL-ANC RT: 25k (~3 com)
Look, I'm not saying that miles haven't been devalued – the evidence is clear that they have been for international (especially J) award tickets. But that's a separate issue of what Delta sets award ticket prices at – if Delta still had a chart-based system, they could just as easily increase chart prices as American recently did.
My point was that removing the simplistic chart-based pricing structure isn't purely bad – it gives Delta more flexibility in pricing, which in fact has increased the number of lower level (as compared to the old chart system) domestic award tickets Delta has been willing to offer. This isn't hypothetical – this has been observed through analyses.
Also, award ticket pricing is not monopolistic because people have a choice in the credit cards they get and the frequent flier programs they use. Especially with how important credit card revenue has become for airlines, airlines have big incentives to demonstrate the value of their miles.
Last edited by rucksack; Jul 12, 2017 at 4:11 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
OT, but you can return any item at Costco basically at any point you wish for a refund. (Seen people return 3 year old items, without question) Only exclusion is TV, PCs, and certain other electronics. Thus you can return and get money back, and then buy again. Its one of the things Costco is known for. (And actively support)
#96
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
Hey OP (if you are still around) I think DL now allows payment of change fees with miles, so you could save the 130K miles, pay 75K in change fees, and still come out ahead.
#97
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
My point was that removing the simplistic chart-based pricing structure isn't purely bad – it gives Delta more flexibility in pricing, which in fact has increased the number of lower level (as compared to the old chart system) domestic award tickets Delta has been willing to offer. This isn't hypothetical – this has been observed through analyses.
I am a skeptic when it comes to airlines doing anything to benefit the consumer.
#98
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
Poor lil ol Delta. LOL!!!
The rules are the rules. But, the over the top castigation of her for being angry about the situation she's in borders on ridiculous. We even have a mind reader who thinks (s)he knows that they were attempting to (apparently proactively) hedge the system.
What it actually sounds like to me is someone who flies a bit (enough to accumulate enough miles for a family vacation) but isn't really a FF. Does this: sound like something a real FF would write?
As a result she hasn't really had to deal with any unusual stuff and was, therefore, unaware of how things are now wrt fees, fees, fees! Hence the sticker shock.
The basic tone of said responses seemed to be along the lines of: "You shoulda read the rules you stupid &!t#h! smh
When all that was needed was something like... "Hey, we feel your pain. It sucks when that happens! But, unfortunately, there isn't much hope you're gonna get any relief. The best you can do is give em a call and see if they will do you a favor. Good luck and enjoy your trip!"
Obviously, YMMV. But, that just means you're wrong
The rules are the rules. But, the over the top castigation of her for being angry about the situation she's in borders on ridiculous. We even have a mind reader who thinks (s)he knows that they were attempting to (apparently proactively) hedge the system.
What it actually sounds like to me is someone who flies a bit (enough to accumulate enough miles for a family vacation) but isn't really a FF. Does this: sound like something a real FF would write?
As a result she hasn't really had to deal with any unusual stuff and was, therefore, unaware of how things are now wrt fees, fees, fees! Hence the sticker shock.
The basic tone of said responses seemed to be along the lines of: "You shoulda read the rules you stupid &!t#h! smh
When all that was needed was something like... "Hey, we feel your pain. It sucks when that happens! But, unfortunately, there isn't much hope you're gonna get any relief. The best you can do is give em a call and see if they will do you a favor. Good luck and enjoy your trip!"
Obviously, YMMV. But, that just means you're wrong
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,051
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28482780-post10.html
Last edited by xliioper; Jul 12, 2017 at 9:48 am
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,774
Changes to award redemptions is not a new thing. Many years ago (but after deregulation), when FF programs were new, all award tickets within the U.S. cost the same number of miles and had no limits on availability. The airlines noticed that they were flying widebody jets to Hawaii with a few paying passengers and lots and lots of award redemptions -- big money loser!
A similar thing happened with Jim Bakker's PTL Club property (Heritage USA) in Fort Mill, SC. He sold the rights to free hotel nights for life in exchange for a $1,000 donation, and the number of outstanding hotel nights far exceeded availability. That's where the analogy ends, as airlines don't literally screw over people named Jessica Hahn and engage in financial fraud. LOL
A similar thing happened with Jim Bakker's PTL Club property (Heritage USA) in Fort Mill, SC. He sold the rights to free hotel nights for life in exchange for a $1,000 donation, and the number of outstanding hotel nights far exceeded availability. That's where the analogy ends, as airlines don't literally screw over people named Jessica Hahn and engage in financial fraud. LOL
#101
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
A rigorous analysis by IdeaWorksCompany, a consulting firm that specializes in revenue management, customer experience, and loyalty programs demonstrated that Delta not only has been improving, but also has much better award availability than United and American:
http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/wp-c...eport-2017.pdf
This analysis by a fellow FT member @javabytes found there is much more availability at the lowest award tiers for domestic coach travel:
Revisited: Award Availability (3-tier vs. 5-tier vs. Dynamic)
And finally this analysis found a large number of days with low level availability across a few selected routes:
http://blog.wandr.me/2015/03/some-in...campaign=14371
Last edited by rucksack; Jul 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm
#102
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: WN, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 1,313
Award tickets are not simply tied to cash fares – there is still wide variation in award ticket mileage valuations. For example, here are some flights I've gotten with the new chart-less system in the past year:
ATL-ORD RT: 10k (~2 cpm)
ASE-SFO: 5k (~6cpm)
ATL-ANC RT: 25k (~3 com)
Look, I'm not saying that miles haven't been devalued – the evidence is clear that they have been for international (especially J) award tickets. But that's a separate issue of what Delta sets award ticket prices at – if Delta still had a chart-based system, they could just as easily increase chart prices as American recently did.
My point was that removing the simplistic chart-based pricing structure isn't purely bad – it gives Delta more flexibility in pricing, which in fact has increased the number of lower level (as compared to the old chart system) domestic award tickets Delta has been willing to offer. This isn't hypothetical – this has been observed through analyses.
Also, award ticket pricing is not monopolistic because people have a choice in the credit cards they get and the frequent flier programs they use. Especially with how important credit card revenue has become for airlines, airlines have big incentives to demonstrate the value of their miles.
ATL-ORD RT: 10k (~2 cpm)
ASE-SFO: 5k (~6cpm)
ATL-ANC RT: 25k (~3 com)
Look, I'm not saying that miles haven't been devalued – the evidence is clear that they have been for international (especially J) award tickets. But that's a separate issue of what Delta sets award ticket prices at – if Delta still had a chart-based system, they could just as easily increase chart prices as American recently did.
My point was that removing the simplistic chart-based pricing structure isn't purely bad – it gives Delta more flexibility in pricing, which in fact has increased the number of lower level (as compared to the old chart system) domestic award tickets Delta has been willing to offer. This isn't hypothetical – this has been observed through analyses.
Also, award ticket pricing is not monopolistic because people have a choice in the credit cards they get and the frequent flier programs they use. Especially with how important credit card revenue has become for airlines, airlines have big incentives to demonstrate the value of their miles.
Award ticket pricing is absolutely monopolistic. You might have a "choice" of which program to use, but once you make that decision, the market and pricing is a monopoly. If you want to buy a ticket with your SkyMiles, you have no choice. There is one seller in that market. Even award miles in general are monopolistic. The sellers set the rate of any product you want to buy. Just because you can use your dollars (miles) to buy different things doesn't mean the market isn't monopolistic. The definition isn't having only one type of product to buy with your "money". The fact that DL and other carriers can universally devalue their miles for an economic gain proves then existence of a monopoly market.
#103
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
Nordstrom used to have an anytime, no-questions-asked return policy; I don't know if that's still in effect.
#104
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
Airlines would have to collude to completely devalue miles (which I'll remind you is illegal). In the absence of collusion, airlines would never act to devalue their miles too much due to market pressure. It would disadvantage them vs. their competitors when it came to selling fares and getting people to sign-up for co-branded credit cards. Looking at award pricing in isolation doesn't tell the whole story.
#105
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
The thing to remember here is that 'miles' are basically administrative fugazi or fairy dust if you wish. They are nothing but a highly sophisticated and elaborate version of a coupon in the mail for a repeat customer. The system has to be so complex because so many quite intelligent people spend time thinking about how to game this system. But at the end of the day, this is Delta saying to you, we like that you fly with us, here's a bit of an extra incentive to do it again. It's marketing, nothing else.
People who expect 'miles' to work like regular currency are delusional.
People who expect 'miles' to work like regular currency are delusional.