Things I've observed about Delta -- are they unique to Delta?
#16
#17
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
As a Seattle flyer for a long time (before DL hub) I'd suggest you continue to concentrate on Delta. Since you're infrequent, getting the credit card, getting the MQD waiver, and using the credit card(s) to get at least silver would probably make a big difference.
#18
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
It's alarming to hear that it's common with DL for tons of people to board even before the Sky group. The few times I do fly UA domestically each year, I do tend to fly E+ (UA's version of Comfort) but I don't ever recall any issues with overhead bin on UA. Is it that there's just tons of Diamond Medallion members (I don't know much about DL's program) or is it again boarding enforcement issue?
Flying Delta over the past decade, I have always been at least Zone 1 (by way of Gold Amex) and can't ever recall not having overhead bin space near my seat. Only been Gold, so SKY boarding, for about a year and certainly no issues in that time.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Agree even just about the credit card. Other than upgrades (rare anyway) I really didn't notice a real significant difference between the Gold Amex (free bag and zone 1) and Silver.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
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As an ATL based traveler, I will take those three things over fancy IFE or boarding order or meal quality anytime. Not that I don't think IFE is important and boarding order/meals should be improved, but I'm not making my purchase decisions on those things.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Can't argue about on-time performance but it is important to keep in mind the real on-time performance difference is on the order of 1% or so once you adjust for the routes that Delta flights versus its competitors. I do think that Delta is a bit better at not cancelling flights (especially regional flights) until they really, really have to.
With that said, based on my experience, if you have status, IRROPS help/service between DL and UA is very similar (and when it is international UA is way better due to the larger scale of *A and generally better interoperability of S* vs SkyTeam).
Agree that for a non-statused traveler I think that DL treats its customers better in the case of IRROPs.
All in all I find UA and Delta comparable these days - AA is still a disaster (and possibly getting worse) since the US Airways merger.
With that said, based on my experience, if you have status, IRROPS help/service between DL and UA is very similar (and when it is international UA is way better due to the larger scale of *A and generally better interoperability of S* vs SkyTeam).
Agree that for a non-statused traveler I think that DL treats its customers better in the case of IRROPs.
All in all I find UA and Delta comparable these days - AA is still a disaster (and possibly getting worse) since the US Airways merger.
#22
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,211
I've been EXP with AA and 1K with UA, and now Platinum with Delta, and in my opinion although Delta's SkyMiles program is far inferior to UA, and marginally inferior to AA, their inflight product is superior, their onetime arrivals are better, and their FA's are MUCH friendlier and more professional than UA and AA among other things.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
@ garykung Exactly the type of feedback I wanted. thanks!
One thing I've noticed about DL's IFE live TV is that the reception is much more stable than other airlines' such as Jet Blue. But I can't tell if I've just been lucky as I don't think I have enough recent data points to be sure.
In recent years the only domestic UA flights I've taken have been SEA-SFO and SFO-LAX. But, while UA is not amazing, I can tell you that I've never had piss-poor crew on UA in their coach/E+. AS has mediocre to good service, but I've never had terrible crew either. Nothing I've experienced has been as bad as a couple of terrible ATL-based crew that I've had on DL flights in the past year.
I think you're right and I'm leaning towards aiming to concentrate on DL. I don't know what the MQD waiver means and I don't know how the credit card could get me silver with my limited US travel, but I can read up on these things. Mainly I just want to be able to get overhead bin space every time and occasionally use their lounge without paying $60. It'd be nice if there was a way for me to access Comfort seat for free (as I do with UA's E+), but that's okay. It seems different people have different perceptions about DL. But all in all, the comments that I've read on here about DL are more positive than negative. I have other concerns about DL, such as that their long-term commitment to SEA is not a guarantee (whereas AS should always be SEA-based) and their MP is really bad (at least compared to UA) and their credit card lineup is much less attractive value-for-value compared to UA's. But what other options do I have at SEA? To me, AS is becoming hard to love at SEA because they're not price-competitive, their lounge is no good, and credit card sucks. AS miles is still easier to redeem for TPAC travel than DL, and that's really the main reason why I might even consider sticking with AS over DL at this point.
Even when you're seated up front on Comfort?
This is good feedback, thanks!
This is good feedback, thanks!
#24
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM; Hyatt Globalist; etc
Posts: 540
I will add that, as a SEA based flyer, your lounge options are probably the best in the system - the main SEA lounge at the A/B gates is great, and the one in the S terminals is not bad either. My most frequent routes are SEA-SFO and vv, and I can say you'll definitely have some of the nicest SCs on both ends.
My advice would be to get a Amex Platinum (non-DL) and, if the MQD waiver is important, a DL Amex Plat to go with it. The latter's $195 AF will pay itself back with the MQD waiver and the companion fare, and I believe you'll get Z1 boarding which will be useful until you get status. The non-DL Plat will get you lounge access to the DL SCs + Centurion lounges, as well as a lot of other benefits.
Every carrier will have different tradeoffs - the only thing I'd be worried about is DL's commitment to Seattle, but they seem to be seriously investing in the airport at this point.
My advice would be to get a Amex Platinum (non-DL) and, if the MQD waiver is important, a DL Amex Plat to go with it. The latter's $195 AF will pay itself back with the MQD waiver and the companion fare, and I believe you'll get Z1 boarding which will be useful until you get status. The non-DL Plat will get you lounge access to the DL SCs + Centurion lounges, as well as a lot of other benefits.
Every carrier will have different tradeoffs - the only thing I'd be worried about is DL's commitment to Seattle, but they seem to be seriously investing in the airport at this point.
#25
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
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Posts: 2,341
I'm not sure if I follow you. Did you mean to say that the only people sitting in Comfort seats getting higher boarding priority than paying Comfort customers (like me) are Diamond Medallion who got upgraded? Other elites who're upgraded from regular coach to Comfort should have similar boarding priority as me, no?
If this is correct, then who were all those Comfort zone pax that boarded before me and filled up all the overhead bins? Is it possible that they were all Diamond Medallion? I lined up as soon as GA called Sky. I was one of the first 5 people to line up after they called for Sky priority.
If this is correct, then who were all those Comfort zone pax that boarded before me and filled up all the overhead bins? Is it possible that they were all Diamond Medallion? I lined up as soon as GA called Sky. I was one of the first 5 people to line up after they called for Sky priority.
- gold medallions in comfort plus or regular economy
- platinum medallions in comfort plus or regular economy
- any silver medallions who got upgraded to comfort plus
- all those with or without status who purchased comfort plus
diamond medallions and first class already boarded in PREM
I don’t know how all the overhead bins were full when you boarded but sometimes it happens. Maybe a whole bunch of people in pre boarding filled them up? Maybe every single diamond decided to put every bag in the comfort plus overhead.
My my point is SKY boarding is for paid comfort plus customers as well as 2 of the 4 medallion levels as a benefit.
#26
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
no, I am saying that in the SKY zone you are boarding with the following
- gold medallions in comfort plus or regular economy
- platinum medallions in comfort plus or regular economy
- any silver medallions who got upgraded to comfort plus
- all those with or without status who purchased comfort plus
diamond medallions and first class already boarded in PREM
I don’t know how all the overhead bins were full when you boarded but sometimes it happens. Maybe a whole bunch of people in pre boarding filled them up? Maybe every single diamond decided to put every bag in the comfort plus overhead.
My my point is SKY boarding is for paid comfort plus customers as well as 2 of the 4 medallion levels as a benefit.
UA does have the same issue - but on most of their planes they are much less dense than Delta so so they tend to have fewer issues with overhead bag space.
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
I will add that, as a SEA based flyer, your lounge options are probably the best in the system - the main SEA lounge at the A/B gates is great, and the one in the S terminals is not bad either. My most frequent routes are SEA-SFO and vv, and I can say you'll definitely have some of the nicest SCs on both ends.
My advice would be to get a Amex Platinum (non-DL) and, if the MQD waiver is important, a DL Amex Plat to go with it. The latter's $195 AF will pay itself back with the MQD waiver and the companion fare, and I believe you'll get Z1 boarding which will be useful until you get status. The non-DL Plat will get you lounge access to the DL SCs + Centurion lounges, as well as a lot of other benefits.
My advice would be to get a Amex Platinum (non-DL) and, if the MQD waiver is important, a DL Amex Plat to go with it. The latter's $195 AF will pay itself back with the MQD waiver and the companion fare, and I believe you'll get Z1 boarding which will be useful until you get status. The non-DL Plat will get you lounge access to the DL SCs + Centurion lounges, as well as a lot of other benefits.
Btw, do you have to pay for my ticket with the DL credit card in order to get priority boarding? My corporate travel books my airline tix and directly expenses my employer. I don't pay for it and get it reimbused. As long as my DL Sky mile# is on the booking, will I get priority boarding due to being the credit card holder regardless of the method of payment?
I don't know... all I know is almost everyone on rows 10 & 11 were already there and seated when I boarded and got to my row 10 seat. Anyways, it sounds this doesn't happen most of the time, so I'll leave it at that.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
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No, don't have to pay with the card, it's linked via SM number.
AS for C+ being partially full, as noted Diamonds always board regardless of cabin with F. Its not unheard of to have number of DM in C+ on popular routes. Also the first row of C+ is a bulkhead. Thus by law they must place certain disabled passengers there.
AS for C+ being partially full, as noted Diamonds always board regardless of cabin with F. Its not unheard of to have number of DM in C+ on popular routes. Also the first row of C+ is a bulkhead. Thus by law they must place certain disabled passengers there.
#30
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
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In fairness on a lot of flights SKY makes up half of the plane (although not usually out of SEA). It doesn't happen often but I did have to gate check a bag once because I was the last to board SKY.
UA does have the same issue - but on most of their planes they are much less dense than Delta so so they tend to have fewer issues with overhead bag space.
UA does have the same issue - but on most of their planes they are much less dense than Delta so so they tend to have fewer issues with overhead bag space.