How do you decide when to pay the Medallion Tax?
Jun 2, 2019, 6:13 am
#16
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It's just bitterness that DL offers an option which some people don't like. Whether one thinks that BE is a great or a poor value, it really is up to the consumer.
While I would not book a BE ticket as a general matter, I might to it in the following limited circumstance:
1. Segment cost <$200.
2. No middle seats.
3. Short flight (<90 mins).
4. No meaningful SDC possible on a more flexible fare basis.
5. Difference between BE and lowest available non-BE is significant.
That is a tiny universe and not, to me, worth a lot of research time.
Jun 2, 2019, 6:35 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
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While I would not book a BE ticket as a general matter, I might to it in the following limited circumstance:
1. Segment cost <$200.
2. No middle seats.
3. Short flight (<90 mins).
4. No meaningful SDC possible on a more flexible fare basis.
5. Difference between BE and lowest available non-BE is significant.
1. Segment cost <$200.
2. No middle seats.
3. Short flight (<90 mins).
4. No meaningful SDC possible on a more flexible fare basis.
5. Difference between BE and lowest available non-BE is significant.
In general I would not usually buy a BE either, but in addition to the 5 points I would add milage run. I found a milage run (segment run actually) for $118 round trip. Main was another $60 or something, since the whole point of the trip is not actually traveling somewhere I want to spend the least amount of money possible to maintain status. I can put up with a possible middle seat in this situation.
To OP I probably wouldn't do BE in your situation.
Jun 2, 2019, 6:40 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,181
The shorter the flight and the least likely I will do a SDC the more likely I will do BE. Don’t forget that the savings multiply when traveling with a family of 5 people, not just solo, albeit that we might be split up all over the plane. But for a short flight this is fine and well worth the savings x 10 for two one-way flights.
Last edited by sydneyracquelle; Jun 2, 2019 at 10:35 am
Jun 2, 2019, 6:45 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
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The savings multiply but so does the hassle of trying to sit together if some of the family is younger children. Travel with my family actually makes me less likely to buy BE. To me I don't buy BE for the same reason I don't fly Southwest. But I get it there are always deals you can't refuse that will change my tune.
Jun 2, 2019, 7:23 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I would say it's bitterness that DL introduced a product at the same price point it used to offer MC tickets at, and then bumped up MC tickets at least $20 (and now usually more) to buy the services you used to get at the lower price. I'm not sure why we should be happy about having to choose between paying more or getting less?
Jun 2, 2019, 7:26 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2017
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Jun 2, 2019, 7:56 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
Terrible name.
Felt click-baited expecting to see a thread trashing FCM, or upgrades for $10s of dollars—the true so-called Tax on Medallions.
Jun 2, 2019, 8:09 am
#23
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Jun 2, 2019, 9:07 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Agreed. Just like a luxury tax, you want nicer things you pay a higher tax on them. It is aptly nicknamed, although I will concede it is not technically accurate.
Jun 2, 2019, 9:17 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
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I've gotten exit row/Preferred seats on Basic Economy before. Just selected one at checkin. So you can take that one off the list.
Jun 2, 2019, 9:27 am
#26
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DL was the first US carrier to offer BE. It's been 5+ years.
Just like people who still bemoan NW, it's time to move on.
Choose the cabin and fare basis which suits your needs. If you choose to be a captive to DL, that is also a choice.
Just like people who still bemoan NW, it's time to move on.
Choose the cabin and fare basis which suits your needs. If you choose to be a captive to DL, that is also a choice.
Jun 2, 2019, 10:12 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
But please don't be the person asking four people (or any number of people) to shuffle seats because you would not spend the money to pay for assigned seats. And especially don't be the person who acts surprised to the gate agent that you can't get assigned seats together or indignant that other pax won't move.
Jun 2, 2019, 10:39 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
One of the main draws for Basic Economy for the airlines is that it allows additional revenue extraction from Medallions (or their equivalent), especially on leisure travel. The fact that so many people have said they will never purchase a BE ticket is proof that it has been effective.
Jun 2, 2019, 11:54 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Delta is Greedy
Seems foolish to say you'd never buy BE. There are some limited use cases where it makes sense (especially since DL still awards full MQMs and allows you to take advantage of your elite status apart from upgrades) -- my requirements are typically under 1 hour and only on planes without middle seats (so CR2/7/9 or E170/175).
SAN-LAS is an EMB-170/175 with no middle seat. OP says IAD-LGA is an A220 with a middle seat on one side. I haven't flown the A220, but the middle seat couldn't be all that bad -- and only 20% odds with five seats per row.
I'm a Diamond, but Delta can go take a hike if they think I'll pay the medallion tax for a crap upgrade.
Last edited by Bowgie; Jun 2, 2019 at 12:09 pm