Is there really any reason to fight to maintain FO?
Feb 12, 2019, 8:06 pm
#31
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Feb 12, 2019, 8:10 pm
#32
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Someone who is struggling to maintain FO isn't flying that often, so to push themselves to maintain it in the event of IRROPS wouldn't be worth it to me. Yes there are benefits to FO such as the very rare upgrade or the possibility to sit in C+ (clearing 24 hours out....) which you don't get from a credit card, but that's not something I would fight for. If you want the seat in C+ or F, I would pay for it, and in the event of IRROPS, FO will also presumably have a long phone queue...
Feb 12, 2019, 8:13 pm
#33
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I think there are some more factors that come into play. I'm an AA 1MM flyer but have transitioned to DL since living in ATL. However, my overall travel still remains on oneworld for international flights. This is my first year I've made FO.
As a DL PLT cardholder, I find that lack of status hasn't hurt me in any discernible way during irrops. However, I almost always pay for C+ or F. I may be downgraded to Y if I'm rerouted, but it's the way it is... and I end up with a refund and sometimes miles depending on the situation. Last year I flew 20 segments and 30k miles on DL. Now that I'm FO, I did get a complimentary upgrade on Superbowl Monday from C+ to F, which was nice... the seat had been sold for a $250 premium above C+ when I purchased the ticket, which wasn't worth it for me given the 3 hour flight length. However, as an FO, I'm usually #62 on the upgrade list (just kind of kidding).
How much would I pay for FO? Not more than $250 above my natural spend. But, that's just me... YMMV.
As a DL PLT cardholder, I find that lack of status hasn't hurt me in any discernible way during irrops. However, I almost always pay for C+ or F. I may be downgraded to Y if I'm rerouted, but it's the way it is... and I end up with a refund and sometimes miles depending on the situation. Last year I flew 20 segments and 30k miles on DL. Now that I'm FO, I did get a complimentary upgrade on Superbowl Monday from C+ to F, which was nice... the seat had been sold for a $250 premium above C+ when I purchased the ticket, which wasn't worth it for me given the 3 hour flight length. However, as an FO, I'm usually #62 on the upgrade list (just kind of kidding).
How much would I pay for FO? Not more than $250 above my natural spend. But, that's just me... YMMV.
Feb 13, 2019, 6:14 am
#34
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I have asked myself this question many times. I've found that to me it IS worth it, for that slight chance you have IRROPS or something unforeseen happen. Any status is better than no status. Once I started focusing as much spend as I can on my DL Amex I have found I easily make it with the waiver. This past year I made GM because of some extra vacation travel, but can realistically see making at least Silver for the foreseeable future as long as the 25K waiver does not increase. I fly DL mostly for leisure. I'm an airline Captain that does NOT normally do non-revving... can't stand the uncertainty lol.
I will say that over the last year hardly any frontline DL employee acknowledged/thanked me for Silver Status. That has noticeably changed since becoming GM.
I will say that over the last year hardly any frontline DL employee acknowledged/thanked me for Silver Status. That has noticeably changed since becoming GM.
Feb 13, 2019, 6:17 am
#35
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Feb 13, 2019, 7:15 am
#36
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Someone who is struggling to maintain FO isn't flying that often, so to push themselves to maintain it in the event of IRROPS wouldn't be worth it to me. Yes there are benefits to FO such as the very rare upgrade or the possibility to sit in C+ (clearing 24 hours out....) which you don't get from a credit card, but that's not something I would fight for. If you want the seat in C+ or F, I would pay for it, and in the event of IRROPS, FO will also presumably have a long phone queue...
I was Gold on AA (the equivalent of Silver at DL) flying every two weeks for awhile! From a hub, nonstop flights just under 500 miles. Fares usually pretty high because of the lack of competition on the route. And that alone wouldn’t have even gotten me Gold, I needed the occasional longer flight to even achieve that!
Yet on FT I was told I flew “seldom.”
Feb 14, 2019, 5:38 am
#37
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I think it’s a misconception that people at the lowest rung of an FFP don’t fly much.
I was Gold on AA (the equivalent of Silver at DL) flying every two weeks for awhile! From a hub, nonstop flights just under 500 miles. Fares usually pretty high because of the lack of competition on the route. And that alone wouldn’t have even gotten me Gold, I needed the occasional longer flight to even achieve that!
Yet on FT I was told I flew “seldom.”
Feb 14, 2019, 2:50 pm
#38
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Someone who is struggling to maintain FO isn't flying that often, so to push themselves to maintain it in the event of IRROPS wouldn't be worth it to me. Yes there are benefits to FO such as the very rare upgrade or the possibility to sit in C+ (clearing 24 hours out....) which you don't get from a credit card, but that's not something I would fight for. If you want the seat in C+ or F, I would pay for it, and in the event of IRROPS, FO will also presumably have a long phone queue...
And if that IRROPS call is even 2 min quicker and that's the difference between grabbing the last seat on a new flight or spending the night at some random place, we'll...
I don't think it's exception or norm. Just different. I first earned FO flying ATL-LGA or ATL-IAD every other week. There was definitely a big difference in having FO vs. nothing, even with a DL Amex. There are lots of people who fly almost exclusively short haul.
Basically, FO can be very worthwhile for some people while almost meaningless for others.
Feb 14, 2019, 11:40 pm
#39
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Don't forget preferred seats like exit rows.
And if that IRROPS call is even 2 min quicker and that's the difference between grabbing the last seat on a new flight or spending the night at some random place, we'll...
I don't think it's exception or norm. Just different. I first earned FO flying ATL-LGA or ATL-IAD every other week. There was definitely a big difference in having FO vs. nothing, even with a DL Amex. There are lots of people who fly almost exclusively short haul.
Basically, FO can be very worthwhile for some people while almost meaningless for others.
And if that IRROPS call is even 2 min quicker and that's the difference between grabbing the last seat on a new flight or spending the night at some random place, we'll...
I don't think it's exception or norm. Just different. I first earned FO flying ATL-LGA or ATL-IAD every other week. There was definitely a big difference in having FO vs. nothing, even with a DL Amex. There are lots of people who fly almost exclusively short haul.
Basically, FO can be very worthwhile for some people while almost meaningless for others.