Delta Thanks us By Taking The Bailout Money Then Price Gouging
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
Delta Thanks us By Taking The Bailout Money Then Price Gouging
People are still dying from Covid. People are still getting sick. These are far from normal times. We are still in a crisis.
I remember the days when raising price inordinately when there was a public emergency was considered price gouging.
I just looked at midweek fares to fly from SFO to JFK leaving 3 weeks from now. Delta's fares are all in the $900 range.
It's one thing to have demand based pricing in normal times. But doing it now is really disgusting. Grandma can finally visit her grandkids - but let's charge her more than double the normal fare. Let's pay the public back for helping us in out time of need by charging extortionate prices.
Disgusting.
I remember the days when raising price inordinately when there was a public emergency was considered price gouging.
I just looked at midweek fares to fly from SFO to JFK leaving 3 weeks from now. Delta's fares are all in the $900 range.
It's one thing to have demand based pricing in normal times. But doing it now is really disgusting. Grandma can finally visit her grandkids - but let's charge her more than double the normal fare. Let's pay the public back for helping us in out time of need by charging extortionate prices.
Disgusting.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Delta Plat
Posts: 3,363
I only see Comft+ in the 900 maybe sit in main cabin? 620 - 735 is what I see 3 weeks out for a week stay.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Price gouging is state law. Unfortunately, DL is not subject to state law in term of price.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2021
Programs: DL PM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 145
I dont think that's a strange fare three weeks out on a route considered a++
#7
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
If DL has refiled higher fares in the same buckets, you might have an argument (but not a legal case). There is a highly publicized supply-demand mismatch happening currently among US airlines. It seems far more likely to me that this is reflective of availability issues and selling out lower fare buckets sooner than in previous years. "People are still dying" is unlikely to get you very far with res or rev management, unless you require a bereavement fare in which case you would be entitled to the standard 10% discount.
I am seeing plenty of K fares between $550 and $650, even on your dates. Leaving a day earlier looks to result in about $100 savings.
I am seeing plenty of K fares between $550 and $650, even on your dates. Leaving a day earlier looks to result in about $100 savings.
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM/2MM, Flying Blue Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 1,934
This is a sensational and false argument. The funds the airlines received from the federal government were designed to help them when they were hemorrhaging cash and about to lay people off. Keeping people on the payroll meant those people continued to pay taxes and have the money they needed to procure goods and services and support the economy. That was the point of the support, not to limit DL or its competitors to some arbitrary regulated fare ceiling when they find themselves finally coming out of the crisis.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,043
People are still dying from Covid. People are still getting sick. These are far from normal times. We are still in a crisis.
I remember the days when raising price inordinately when there was a public emergency was considered price gouging.
I just looked at midweek fares to fly from SFO to JFK leaving 3 weeks from now. Delta's fares are all in the $900 range.
It's one thing to have demand based pricing in normal times. But doing it now is really disgusting. Grandma can finally visit her grandkids - but let's charge her more than double the normal fare. Let's pay the public back for helping us in out time of need by charging extortionate prices.
Disgusting.
I remember the days when raising price inordinately when there was a public emergency was considered price gouging.
I just looked at midweek fares to fly from SFO to JFK leaving 3 weeks from now. Delta's fares are all in the $900 range.
It's one thing to have demand based pricing in normal times. But doing it now is really disgusting. Grandma can finally visit her grandkids - but let's charge her more than double the normal fare. Let's pay the public back for helping us in out time of need by charging extortionate prices.
Disgusting.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,937
If it makes you feel any better, Delta is still losing money.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
I guess I don’t get price gouging if there is competition. A quick search of Google flights shows several airlines flying that route with various levels of pricing. From $627 from United to a high of $927 on AA. 3 nonstops exist: JetBlue at $697, United at $733 and Delta at $813. I’m not sure you can claim price gouging when there is ample competition.
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...__8BQAFIAZgBAQ
https://www.google.com/travel/flight...__8BQAFIAZgBAQ
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
OP should definitely book grandma on JetBlue. Better product and cheaper price.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
It's one thing to have demand based pricing in normal times. But doing it now is really disgusting. Grandma can finally visit her grandkids - but let's charge her more than double the normal fare. Let's pay the public back for helping us in out time of need by charging extortionate prices.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central FL
Programs: DL Gold; Bonvoy Gold; HHonors Diamond; Avis Preferred, Hertz PC
Posts: 601
Delta taking the "bail out" money has no relationship to how they price flights, provide any level of service, or anything else. There was no quid pro quo for taking the money. In fact, it would a been a poor business decision not to avail themselves of the funds so that they could stay afloat.