Thinking of finally leaving Delta
#46
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,529
I do think there are more BA fliers on Flyertalk. It's hard to say whether there are proportionally more complaints; perhaps someone clever can use some text sentiment analysis tools to tell us if there is a statistically significant difference in the level of complaints between various airline subforums.
#47
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,128
Have you been to a SkyClub recently? Insane overcrowding and lines.
Never once been to an AAdmirals Club that felt overcrowded or had a wait to get in, even at hubs/peak times. I'm sure they do get busy at times, but definitely much better than skyclubs even on a good day.
Never once been to an AAdmirals Club that felt overcrowded or had a wait to get in, even at hubs/peak times. I'm sure they do get busy at times, but definitely much better than skyclubs even on a good day.
#48
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold
Posts: 96
BER is much more a leisure market
#49
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
Delta is definitely disappointing but in the US what options do you have for domestic travel? UA and AA are horrendous in my opinion. BA is terrible. Try to reach them by phone sometime as a test. As for LHR it's a nightmare. Would far prefer MUC/FRA/AMS (though not this summer), even CDG is better.
Lounges in the US in general are pretty lousy IMO...
Yes, their FF program is horrendous as well.. maybe credit to AF if all of your travel is international?
Sadly the options are pretty limited if you want nonstop service from ATL... they know they have you...
Lounges in the US in general are pretty lousy IMO...
Yes, their FF program is horrendous as well.. maybe credit to AF if all of your travel is international?
Sadly the options are pretty limited if you want nonstop service from ATL... they know they have you...
#50
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
Concur about BER. Not enough high-paying corporate customers to make it attractive.
#51
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
I do think there are more BA fliers on Flyertalk. It's hard to say whether there are proportionally more complaints; perhaps someone clever can use some text sentiment analysis tools to tell us if there is a statistically significant difference in the level of complaints between various airline subforums.
Other EU carriers are never going to attract the same audience since this is an English-speaking forum.
#52
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 15
1/ The Club used by BA in Atlanta is small, overcrowded, and open to any Priority Pass member
2/ BA offers only one late evening departure from ATL. Their service in J is not really better than DL
3/ BA partner AAL only offers flights to AAL Hubs from ATL
4/ If something happens to your BA flight, you are basically starnded
5/ Delta offers numerous non stops to Europe and is slowly reinstating flights
6/ LHR T5 is a horrible terminal to transfer - even in "normal" times
7/ This summer aside, AMS is an efficient terminal to transfer.
8/ There are other DL transfer partners..VS/ AF/ KL that offer non stops to Europe from ATL.
9/ I am an ATL resident. I don't think DL is consistently more expensive than other airlines from ATL. Typically, other airlines may offer discounts if you are willing to make a connection at one of their Hubs. That is a major inconvenience.
10/ I agree DL Skymiles redemption rates for Business Class are horrific. Domestic redemptions are comparable to other US airlines.
2/ BA offers only one late evening departure from ATL. Their service in J is not really better than DL
3/ BA partner AAL only offers flights to AAL Hubs from ATL
4/ If something happens to your BA flight, you are basically starnded
5/ Delta offers numerous non stops to Europe and is slowly reinstating flights
6/ LHR T5 is a horrible terminal to transfer - even in "normal" times
7/ This summer aside, AMS is an efficient terminal to transfer.
8/ There are other DL transfer partners..VS/ AF/ KL that offer non stops to Europe from ATL.
9/ I am an ATL resident. I don't think DL is consistently more expensive than other airlines from ATL. Typically, other airlines may offer discounts if you are willing to make a connection at one of their Hubs. That is a major inconvenience.
10/ I agree DL Skymiles redemption rates for Business Class are horrific. Domestic redemptions are comparable to other US airlines.
#53
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
+100000. If you are buying D1, just take the carrier you like the best and stop chasing status.
Also just a few thoughts on this:
Also just a few thoughts on this:
- Google "LHR" or "Heathrow" and then decide if you really want to have that be your primary connection point (admittedly AMS isn't much better)
- Let me know if those non-existent BA upgrade instruments are worth any more than the DL GUCs
- Check out those fuel surcharges that go with BA Avios redemptions -- they aren't pretty
Avios is good if you transfer to Iberia (lower fuel surcharges even on BA metal). But flying on BA even in F is subpar. J is pretty lousy compared to J on AF/KL/LX or even IB IMO... not to speak of LHR and/or BA's abysmal customer service
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
Back OT, for the OP to be complaining about flight prices and award award prices on DL, he's in for a rude awakening with BA's award surcharges. When DL announces a D1 award sale, there's usually decent availability if you move quickly.
In normal times I actually don't find transferring at LHR really much worse than AMS or CDG.
There is still value to status even if flying paid J, namely priority access to a call center (or special desk for top-tier). I'm flying a SQ-LH combo in J soon, have zero *A status, and am dreading any IRROPS or need to call.
Last edited by ijgordon; Jul 22, 2022 at 11:55 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 15
There were comments why Delta opted to reinstate ATL service to STR versus BER. They will actually start flying to BER again next summer albeit from JFK. The former ATL to STR route pre Covid was a long standing service. STR does not have any other transatlantic flights. I believe at one point Delta may have had a contract with German auto manufacturers who now have plants in the Southeast. I flew that flight once and saw loads of auto parts placed in the cargo hold.
#57
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,368
PMNW had a contract with an auto company to operate a daily chartered nonstop between DTW and STR. It was a 757 specially equipped with about fifty business class seats and was often full.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,585
And here, I've been saying for years that sometimes the grass isn't greener elsewhere, sometimes you find it is dead when you get there.
#59
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CVG
Programs: DL 3MM, US 972k (AA 0.0k), Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hertz G, Nurburgring in 8:29
Posts: 2,183
I think it's DYKWIA types who want the other flyers to know their said airline is losing a customer. But as we've all seen, FF'ers ebb and flow until we nestle into a routine with an airline that's the least painful.
#60
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,347
It's not the cluster that is LHR, but it ain't fast.