Tenth Anniversary of DL/NW merger
Jan 19, 2023, 4:07 pm
#106
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 4,914
Feb 19, 2023, 11:19 am
#107
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI USA DL FO (until 2/04), NW silver '03, NW gold '04+'05 Plat '06+ (thanks, Leo!), DL SkyClub
Programs: DL Plat/ Million Miler, AS, Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, Piggly Wiggly Pig Points
Posts: 2,233
Not sure how this popped up for me but I miss lower fares, competition and the people of Northwest plus having more hubs and choices.
Yes, Delta has fancier clubs and cleaner planes but the cost of that has been pretty steep.
Yes, Delta has fancier clubs and cleaner planes but the cost of that has been pretty steep.
Feb 21, 2023, 3:07 pm
#108
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Hard to argue you used to have "more hubs and choices" when the only real loss has been MEM from NW and CVG from DL but in return we've gained SEA and to a lesser extent RDU.
Feb 21, 2023, 4:48 pm
#109
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
There are other loses beside two hubs. There is also a drop in frequency of service to some airports that followed from the government allowing this combination; and some flight schedule choices are way worse now because of this combination than they used to be. And then there is all the damage that has been done to the FFP world because of all these governmental waivers and favors allowing such concentration in the marketplace.
Feb 21, 2023, 4:53 pm
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,543
I miss plentiful awards at uninflated costs. I recall after the merger was announced I blew through over 1 million miles in the next year. My aging memory recalls 90k RT Biz flights to Asia, and 40k RT flights to South America.
I have a bit over 80k DL miles left now, and keep looking to use them sometime. I checked for coach flights, one way from Asia recently and only saw awards for 150k. AA had flights for 37.5k.
I have a bit over 80k DL miles left now, and keep looking to use them sometime. I checked for coach flights, one way from Asia recently and only saw awards for 150k. AA had flights for 37.5k.
Feb 21, 2023, 5:02 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Feb 21, 2023, 7:06 pm
#112
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL Diamond, 1MM; AA
Posts: 10
NW was great in terms of aviation and operations such as the peerless service in Asia. And I loved the final version of the logo and design. But customer service was abysmal. There are many exceptions, fo course, but even after ten years rude and unhelpful personnel dominate my memories. Service on DL is far superior.
Feb 21, 2023, 8:04 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,543
NW was great in terms of aviation and operations such as the peerless service in Asia. And I loved the final version of the logo and design. But customer service was abysmal. There are many exceptions, fo course, but even after ten years rude and unhelpful personnel dominate my memories. Service on DL is far superior.
Feb 22, 2023, 12:50 pm
#115
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Holly, MI
Programs: Delta DM, Airtran Elite, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hertz Presidents Circle, SPG PLAT; Hilton Gold
Posts: 79
I'll bite.
Things I miss:
-Lower fares due to more competition
-Being able to fly into FNT (I think the flights from Atlanta still exist but that would be a crazy connection even by my standards)
-My 100% upgrade success rate as Gold Elite (ironically I missed one upgrade as Platinum the following year)
-The many, many bonus miles opportunities (25,000 bonus miles to Shanghai!)
-The Memphis hub - RIP (I can't remember the name of it but they had a BBQ place that I loved)
-WorldClubs membership options - why didn't I buy the lifetime membership when I had the chance?!?
-Continental partnership
Changes I've been happy about:
-In-flight entertainment on domestic flights
-Much better operational reliability
-Delta One soft product is a step above World Business Class
-A counter to my point above, free SkyClub membership with Diamond status
-Network is better overall
But even though I listed more cons than pros, I think the merger overall has been a positive change for me as a traveler.
Flame away.
Things I miss:
-Lower fares due to more competition
-Being able to fly into FNT (I think the flights from Atlanta still exist but that would be a crazy connection even by my standards)
-My 100% upgrade success rate as Gold Elite (ironically I missed one upgrade as Platinum the following year)
-The many, many bonus miles opportunities (25,000 bonus miles to Shanghai!)
-The Memphis hub - RIP (I can't remember the name of it but they had a BBQ place that I loved)
-WorldClubs membership options - why didn't I buy the lifetime membership when I had the chance?!?
-Continental partnership
Changes I've been happy about:
-In-flight entertainment on domestic flights
-Much better operational reliability
-Delta One soft product is a step above World Business Class
-A counter to my point above, free SkyClub membership with Diamond status
-Network is better overall
But even though I listed more cons than pros, I think the merger overall has been a positive change for me as a traveler.
Flame away.
Delta Left FNT several years ago - they are a big Allegiant focus city now with like one each flight on american and united to chicago per day..... SAD I used to always enjoy mainline northwest from FNT in my real heavy travel days of yesteryear. I fly out of GRR now that I live over here
Feb 22, 2023, 4:23 pm
#117
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
Somehow, despite me flying 76.4% of my lifetime miles after the merger date, Northwest remains my 9th most flown airline. My first ever international flight was on NW: DTW-LGW on a MD-10.
Feb 22, 2023, 4:47 pm
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,543
Feb 22, 2023, 5:16 pm
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
I know there have been increases in certain areas but at that time Delta (and as far as I know NW) had 25,000 miles as a minimum for any award ticket and there are a lot of them out there for way fewer than that these days. The lowest I have seen without looking very hard is 7,600, with the 15% AMEX discount.
Feb 22, 2023, 6:50 pm
#120
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,190
I know there have been increases in certain areas but at that time Delta (and as far as I know NW) had 25,000 miles as a minimum for any award ticket and there are a lot of them out there for way fewer than that these days. The lowest I have seen without looking very hard is 7,600, with the 15% AMEX discount.