Why two different experiences in F ATL-CTG-ATL?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: DL Diamond, 2 MM
Posts: 1,009
Why two different experiences in F ATL-CTG-ATL?
Hello, I just got back from a trip to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG). I flew in F both ways. ATL-CTG was almost as good as TATL Delta One (except the seats were standard F). Champagne and juice were served as we pre-boarded. Every seat had an amenity kit, and a Westin pillow and comforter. Lunch was outstanding (and we got a printed menu); a choice between penne pasta and lacquered chicken. A wonderful apple, manchego and lettuce salad, shrimp cocktail, pretzel roll, and a choice of three desserts (caramel cake, ice cream sundae or a cheese plate). It was very different on the CTG-ATL flight. Just a thin, blue blanket and no amenity kit. When I asked for a pillow I was told there weren't any. No pre-boarding drinks. Lunch was not bad, but there were no choices. Everyone got a ham sandwich, a salad, and passion fruit cheesecake (which was very good). There may have been one other item but I forgot what it was. So my question is.....why such a difference in the F experience?
I am also wondering if this is the same experience in F for other northern South American cities, like BOG, UIO and LIM.
Thanks in advance for your responses!
I am also wondering if this is the same experience in F for other northern South American cities, like BOG, UIO and LIM.
Thanks in advance for your responses!
#2
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
I'm not an expert, but, if I had to guess, I'd say that the ATL/CTG flight was a mistake, in that, the flight is on a B737-800. Do ANY B738 flights get Westin bedding? Amenity kits? The return flight sounds like an error in the other direction. NO CHOICE of meal in First Class?!? Seems very odd to me.
That said - - I'll be flying this same round trip <with a non-status> friend in May, so, I'm curious to know if this was paid F, or, a comp Medallion Upgrade? I'm hoping to get upgrades for both of us, but, I don't know how Medallion heavy it is. The problem for my companion is that we're on 2 different records, as, I'm overnighting in ATL, and we're meeting up the next morning to fly to CTG.
That said - - I'll be flying this same round trip <with a non-status> friend in May, so, I'm curious to know if this was paid F, or, a comp Medallion Upgrade? I'm hoping to get upgrades for both of us, but, I don't know how Medallion heavy it is. The problem for my companion is that we're on 2 different records, as, I'm overnighting in ATL, and we're meeting up the next morning to fly to CTG.
Last edited by davetravels; Mar 5, 2018 at 2:15 pm
#4
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 43
I'm not an expert, but, if I had to guess, I'd say that the ATL/CTG flight was a mistake, in that, the flight is on a B737-800. Do ANY B738 flights get Westin bedding? Amenity kits? The return flight sounds like an error in the other direction. NO CHOICE of meal in First Class?!? Seems very odd to me.
That said - - I'll be flying this same round trip <with a non-status> friend in May, so, I'm curious to know if this was paid F, or, a comp Medallion Upgrade? I'm hoping to get upgrades for both of us, but, I don't know how Medallion heavy it is. The problem for my companion is that we're on 2 different records, as, I'm overnighting in ATL, and we're meeting up the next morning to fly to CTG.
That said - - I'll be flying this same round trip <with a non-status> friend in May, so, I'm curious to know if this was paid F, or, a comp Medallion Upgrade? I'm hoping to get upgrades for both of us, but, I don't know how Medallion heavy it is. The problem for my companion is that we're on 2 different records, as, I'm overnighting in ATL, and we're meeting up the next morning to fly to CTG.
#7
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
The phone agent said - without my asking, because I thought the same thing you're saying - that, she linked the reservations so he could get an UG at the airport, if available, but, it didn't sound right to me.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,229
the same time)
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
See: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...html#companion
#10
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Thanx for that!
Yeah, that part I know. So, with our reservations only linked, how do I go about getting my friend on the UG list at the airport?
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: DL Diamond, 2 MM
Posts: 1,009
I'm not an expert, but, if I had to guess, I'd say that the ATL/CTG flight was a mistake, in that, the flight is on a B737-800. Do ANY B738 flights get Westin bedding? Amenity kits? The return flight sounds like an error in the other direction. NO CHOICE of meal in First Class?!? Seems very odd to me.
That said - - I'll be flying this same round trip <with a non-status> friend in May, so, I'm curious to know if this was paid F, or, a comp Medallion Upgrade? I'm hoping to get upgrades for both of us, but, I don't know how Medallion heavy it is. The problem for my companion is that we're on 2 different records, as, I'm overnighting in ATL, and we're meeting up the next morning to fly to CTG.
That said - - I'll be flying this same round trip <with a non-status> friend in May, so, I'm curious to know if this was paid F, or, a comp Medallion Upgrade? I'm hoping to get upgrades for both of us, but, I don't know how Medallion heavy it is. The problem for my companion is that we're on 2 different records, as, I'm overnighting in ATL, and we're meeting up the next morning to fly to CTG.
#12
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
I was upgraded both ways on my PE status. Four of us were upgraded ATL-CTG and five of us were upgraded CTG-ATL. I was upgraded on both flights one hour before departure. I did see the passenger seating chart in the F galley ATL-CTG. One person was identified as Diamond, one as Gold and seven as Platinum. I assume the rest had paid for F but of course I dont know that for sure. The flight was very pleasant both ways.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,090
This is exactly what happened to me on my ATL-CTG-ATL flights back in January. Full bedding & menus on the way down, not so much the way back. I'm guessing it's because DL only has 3 flights a week out of CTG, so it doesn't make sense for them to have extra pillows & bedding there. So they probably stock the pillows & bedding in ATL for both directions, and there isn't room on the plane for 32 oversized pillows & 32 Westin blankets. Thus, the flight down gets the full treatment, while the flight back gets the standard small pillows & blankets.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Any agent-phone, Twitter, airport, can request a companion upgrade on a separate PNR. The companion has a T-24 upgrade window, and then is automatically added to airport ug list just like you are.
#15
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
I didn't know a companion on a different record could get upgraded. I'm shocked to find that someone on a different record would be automatically added to the upgrade list. Everything that's always posted here about records that are linked indicate to me that is a relatively meaningless action to link reservations. I travel 99.5 % alone.