Delta Continues to Adjust to Unprecedented Fuel Costs with Addition of Fuel Surcharge
Jun 27, 2008, 8:33 pm
#241
Join Date: May 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: DL: MM PM
Posts: 40
This is the final straw that has broken the camel's back.
I am canceling my AmEx SkyMiles Plat card. I can get better rewards and apply those rewards to my student loan payments via Upromise, without added surcharges.
What's next? Toilet surcharge? Complimentary beverage surcharge? How about an AED surcharge to keep that defibrillator in the plane in case something happens?
I am canceling my AmEx SkyMiles Plat card. I can get better rewards and apply those rewards to my student loan payments via Upromise, without added surcharges.
What's next? Toilet surcharge? Complimentary beverage surcharge? How about an AED surcharge to keep that defibrillator in the plane in case something happens?
At least Starwood isn't slapping customers with an air conditioning/heat fee, a wake-up call fee, $6 for each additional towel after the first one, $5 for sheets/$10 for clean sheets, etc. etc.
Jun 27, 2008, 8:57 pm
#242
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A small town in North Georgia
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion, AA
Posts: 1,627
Does anyone actually believe DL, or any of the airlines, will drop or decrease the fuel surcharge? It's another Golden Goose Egg! 
Jun 28, 2008, 12:30 pm
#243
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
It applies to ANY airline that uses the dishonest fuel surcharge scam, instead of putting it in the fare where any HONEST airline would put it. This is not an add on extra or something that can be detached from the basic product. Planes have to have fuel to fly and it is an essential part of the basic product, regardless of what the apologists for dishonest airline practices want to say.
Jun 28, 2008, 12:39 pm
#244
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
You can also expect certain posters here to continue their kneejerk support of anything DL does, probably even pay toilets.
This sorry treatment from DL should make all NW flyers redouble their efforts to write DOJ and opposed the takeover of NW.
Jun 28, 2008, 12:48 pm
#245
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
If airline management and shareholders aren't responsible for the mess they find themselves in, who else is more accountable for the outcomes?
Hopefully we are not going to get into the "blame the customer" game -- that gets as old here as the "blame the victim" card.
What does it matter when you've already said you have no interest in pursuing the matter yourself? Do you have an interest in sincerely applauding efforts by others that would pursue the matter legally?
Hopefully we are not going to get into the "blame the customer" game -- that gets as old here as the "blame the victim" card.
What does it matter when you've already said you have no interest in pursuing the matter yourself? Do you have an interest in sincerely applauding efforts by others that would pursue the matter legally?
Jun 28, 2008, 1:20 pm
#246
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
Programs: DL Diamond and Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 7,618
Expect them to raise the TATL surcharge to at least $200, which is what they have been whacking flyers based in Europe for since January.
You can also expect certain posters here to continue their kneejerk support of anything DL does, probably even pay toilets.
This sorry treatment from DL should make all NW flyers redouble their efforts to write DOJ and opposed the takeover of NW.
You can also expect certain posters here to continue their kneejerk support of anything DL does, probably even pay toilets.
This sorry treatment from DL should make all NW flyers redouble their efforts to write DOJ and opposed the takeover of NW.
What you describe as "kneejerk" support of Delta is quite the opposite. The posters on this thread, myself included, who generally support DL because of the way we've been treated, have and will continue to, criticize DL where warranted.
Oh, and by the way, I agree with you that I did not want DL taking over NW. I'm fearful that the great "service" NW staff is known for will rub off on DL staff.
Jun 28, 2008, 1:57 pm
#247
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MCO - Where's the Admirals Club?
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,268
Just saw an article on the news regarding Delta's decision to surcharge on frequent flyer trips. I think this is fantastic and a move in the right direction. Looking around these forums I'm sickened to read the number of people involved in 'mileage runs' - flying to accrue more flying? I'm not the most environmental person, but that is seriously screwed up for the planet. Hopefully this kind of behaviour is now coming to an end. Hopefully this will also start to put a lid on free flying for business travellers. I think in 10 years time people will look back on these decades and question how the hell the airlines could offer you free private flying when you complete business trips - it's an environmental, taxation and economic anomaly. Flying is a precious resource and shouldn't be given out free to every Tom, Dick and Harry. They certainly shouldn't be burning holes in the sky to earn 'miles' to do the same again. Time to get real.
Jun 28, 2008, 2:02 pm
#248
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 950
Here's what I don't understand about the whole award ticket fee idea.
My understanding is that DL (and all the other major airlines with FF programs) have gazillions of these miles just sitting in people's accounts waiting to be used. Since FF miles are a taxable asset to the airlines, you'd think (given previous statements by the airlines) that they'd be doing anything possible to get these unused miles off of their books.
So how does it make any sense to implement fees, thereby discouraging people from using their miles?
My understanding is that DL (and all the other major airlines with FF programs) have gazillions of these miles just sitting in people's accounts waiting to be used. Since FF miles are a taxable asset to the airlines, you'd think (given previous statements by the airlines) that they'd be doing anything possible to get these unused miles off of their books.
So how does it make any sense to implement fees, thereby discouraging people from using their miles?
Jun 28, 2008, 2:08 pm
#249
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
Here's what I don't understand about the whole award ticket fee idea.
My understanding is that DL (and all the other major airlines with FF programs) have gazillions of these miles just sitting in people's accounts waiting to be used. Since FF miles are a taxable asset to the airlines, you'd think (given previous statements by the airlines) that they'd be doing anything possible to get these unused miles off of their books.
So how does it make any sense to implement fees, thereby discouraging people from using their miles?
My understanding is that DL (and all the other major airlines with FF programs) have gazillions of these miles just sitting in people's accounts waiting to be used. Since FF miles are a taxable asset to the airlines, you'd think (given previous statements by the airlines) that they'd be doing anything possible to get these unused miles off of their books.
So how does it make any sense to implement fees, thereby discouraging people from using their miles?
Jun 28, 2008, 2:32 pm
#250
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SEA
Posts: 12,485
Funniest thing I've read all day!
Jun 28, 2008, 3:52 pm
#251
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
That would be an achievement, but it's unlikely to actually be achieved --especially under this Administration's Justice Department.
Jun 28, 2008, 3:55 pm
#252
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
Yes, at least as much as possible for the airline to do without killing the goose (i.e. FFP) that lays the supposedly golden egg (i.e., funny money FFP miles for which the airline gets real cash).
Jun 28, 2008, 4:17 pm
#253
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 839
Interesting thread.
Amazing how much vitriol is present here towards an entire organization when a very small handful of people make decisions like this--and I am talking very small--3-4 max based on flow charts, graphs, and cost-benefits analyses done by a bunch of number crunchers sitting in A/C'ed cubicles in ATG.
As one previous poster mentioned, every service I use today is now charging a fuel surcharge in some manner or form, whether it be in an increase in fees for the service or pure, out-right surcharges tacked onto base fees.
It is what it is. You can't expect to fly from JFK-LAX for $264 RT (an actual fair, mind you) and expect the airline that you fly on to survive. Just not going to happen.
I agree with many that the nickel and diming of the paying customer is indeed a travesty. I can't stand to watch the interactions happen on a day-to-day basis...it's revolting. But until someone finds a way to fuel airplanes on spaghetti or another alternative form of fuel, the sky will be the limit with both petrol and fees....
I wish it were different....
Amazing how much vitriol is present here towards an entire organization when a very small handful of people make decisions like this--and I am talking very small--3-4 max based on flow charts, graphs, and cost-benefits analyses done by a bunch of number crunchers sitting in A/C'ed cubicles in ATG.
As one previous poster mentioned, every service I use today is now charging a fuel surcharge in some manner or form, whether it be in an increase in fees for the service or pure, out-right surcharges tacked onto base fees.
It is what it is. You can't expect to fly from JFK-LAX for $264 RT (an actual fair, mind you) and expect the airline that you fly on to survive. Just not going to happen.
I agree with many that the nickel and diming of the paying customer is indeed a travesty. I can't stand to watch the interactions happen on a day-to-day basis...it's revolting. But until someone finds a way to fuel airplanes on spaghetti or another alternative form of fuel, the sky will be the limit with both petrol and fees....
I wish it were different....
Jun 28, 2008, 4:29 pm
#254
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Atlanta/DC
Posts: 297
I agree with many that the nickel and diming of the paying customer is indeed a travesty. I can't stand to watch the interactions happen on a day-to-day basis...it's revolting. But until someone finds a way to fuel airplanes on spaghetti or another alternative form of fuel, the sky will be the limit with both petrol and fees....
Jun 28, 2008, 4:32 pm
#255
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Most of us understand that rock-bottom fares are not realistic at this time, but we don't like airlines going back on promises or disguising price increases as "surcharges", etc.