As Delta is our next most frequent carrier out of Memphis, I was Silver Medallion from time to time. During that time, I realized how awful I would feel if I lived in ATL and relied on them. Their upgrade system is ridiculous. As many here note, insULT fares are not upgraded no matter how high the elite status. I flew many flights, granted only as Silver, with nearly empty FC sections on 767's. I hate Delta. I wish some of you ATL guys would support AirTran more. They seem to work hard, have reasonable fares, and a great upgrade policy. I know you miss out on international flights, but Delta's upgrade policy is so strict, it is as though you get no upgrades at all.

I dumped Delta in '98 at GM level, comping over to CO. LUser (now insULT) was what did it; they stopped upgrading me most of the time, so I'm not going to stand for it when others offer at least a chance of flying up front, rather than flying an empty seat over upgrading an L,U or T fare.

Their cost cuts also were unwise and often ridiculous. The original SkyDeli was, IMO, a reasonable approach to feeding passengers on 90+ minute flights around mealtime, but they decided even a "turkey twinkie" was too much for that. Ridiculous.

The best things I can say is they do still have Maker's Mark if you do manage to fly up front, and they were better on the award-bookings about trying to get something to work at standard level before robotically referring to EasyPass, as they do with Continental.

Greetings,

I have been posting in the DL and CO boards to get an assessment of moving my business (mainly personal flights) to CO from DL where I am a Silver. I expect 2003 to make Gold on any carrier. I like DL in general but hate the UG policies as I see the K fares higher and gambling is fun in Vegas not on DL.

Problem is DL has more options out of DFW and I am located at IAH. Only 2 nons on CO to SLC and 2 on DL but more flights from DFW to SLC on DL and AA could also be an option if I'm willing to go through DFW all the time. Would be nice to stick with DL or CO as they have the only non stops I'm aware of.

My problem though is that I am receiving conflicting info. Most posts I've read seemed to indicate automatic upgreades at CO on cheaper domestic fares yet just tonight a silver CO told me he rarely gets upgraded flying out of IAH to various locations. What is the truth??

Any feedback on my dilemma would help
Thanks

Well, I really do believe the grass is always greener on the other side. Everybody is going to have something to say about any airline so it is hard to make the decision- which is why I started this post. I think it may be safe to say that the ug policy on DL is the worst. It is very expensive to get a flight that is upgradeable whether it is domesic or not. I am self employed and do have clients that pay for travel but I need to be reasonable if I am to stay competetive. So I lose upgrade points and am often stuck in coach over the atlantic even if there is room in f. Customer service is very inconsistant- they all tell you something different. Lately, I have very good service on the phone- at least they have been nice.

So, if my business takes off and I can come up with the funds to actually purchase B or F ticket, it seems that DL is lower for Europe trips. But I am not there yet so no need to be too loyal to them- they don't seem to be to me.

I have to say I always receive good service on the plane. That has been a plus for me.

I have found that AA fliers have more positive things to say about their airline than others. My next choice is NW (partners with CO- i think) and with KLM. Tempting because of my travel patterns. Both are better for west coast travelers because of SW and Alaska.

Those are things that influence my decision.
Hope it helps instead of confuses you.

Mapleflot (AC) is worse for mid-tier members like elite. Try Y-only upgrades from Europe. Also, op. upgrades being distributed to passengers without seat assignments, while Super Elite/Elite/Prestige FF's sit in the back.

Air France doesn't even give upgrade vouchers to its FP Blue/Red members.

So Delta ain't the worst out there. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks Amsterdam for the reply, hard to get sometimes.

I'll have to continue to troll the boards, talk to people and eventually make a decision but would be nice to do it right at the 2003 year mark so that all my flights in 03 will count with only 1 airline should I choose to defect. If I stay it won't matter.

My fares are personal but my children and my entire family are in SLC so I expect to fly a lot and could use the cheaper fares due to volume but being stocky and wide the seats are just about too small for me to sit in hip to hip. I'm just wide, broad shoulders and the like and airplane seats aren't made for that.

So no, less confusion and thanks for your response and I wish you better luck in your business so a Y fare will be nothing for you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hmmm...I don't know if my input will be of any use to you, but we lived in Houston for 2 years and did a lot of flying out of there on CO and DL, so with a caveat that it was 5 years ago, here goes:

First, what is more important to you, upgrades or nonstop flights?

While DL, since the insULT fares has been miserable for upgrades, I always had better luck on DL out of HOU than I ever did on CO. I almost NEVER got an upgrade on CO. (Caveat: on my routes, on the days and times I traveled). I mean it was worse than on DL today.

I always liked Houston Hobby better than IAH, and I wonder, since DL has many flights out of HOU, if this might be an option for you? Depending on what side of town you live. You'd still have the plane changes in DFW, so no help there.

If you decide on CO, you might also consider using Ellington Field...free parking, and an 8-minute fight to IAH worth 500 miles and a segment.

Good luck with your difficult decision!

Personally, I'd rate it a toss-up, but I hope some of these ideas may help in some way.

I've actually gone back to DL, temporarily anyway. Having achieved Cockroach Preferred again on USAir this summer, I'm making a last ditch attempt at requalifying PM on DL...even to the point of flying to GRU (Sao Paulo) on an L fare next month. 3 times I flew there this year on AA and I upgraded to business every time. Not bad for someone who never made EXP. I don't look forward to DL coach on this trip and it may persuade me never to fly DL again, but at least I'll possibly enjoy free CRC drinks for another year.

Left Delta and my lifetime Crown room membership for AA and never looked back. Never a problem cashing in miles for flights - this year over 300,000 miles converted to great use - Delta -almost impossible. All miles count towards gold,plat or EXP. EXP program is the finest - just read the comments on the AA board.
OK...I still fly Delta to a few markets - upgrades - impossible, attitude - impossible. I'm happy I live in a market where there are airline choices. :-)

I'm another DL to AS to AA convert. To me, DL has let their product become an undifferentiated commodity. AA, AS, CO, NW, UA all offer more than DL in one way or another. No regrets whatsoever!

askworldtraveller, did you say *all* miles count toward status on AA?? Even credit card purchases, tier bonuses, and the like? (I assume you get tier bonuses on AA comparable to other airlines, 25%, 100%, etc)?

I'm currently evaluating who to give my business to next year, and AA sounds very intruiging. I'm located in ATL and I've been debating the merits of Delta versus UA, but maybe I'm thinking too narrowly. The one downside of AA from my perspective is that out of ATL, a route I fly a few times a year (to YVR) is ugly on AA (up to 12 hours via DFW versus 7 or so hours for most routings on Delta or UA).

All miles do count toward 1MM/2MM status, equivalent to lifetime Gold/Plat. And yes, you do get the 25% elite bonuses for Gold and 100% for Plat and EXP.



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StuckWithDelta

Yes and Yes. Despite being a real AA frequent flyer for less than 1 year, I've already accumulated more lifetime miles with AA than I had with 5 years of elite DL membership. AA offers lifetime Gold for 1 million miles and lifetime Platinum for 2 million miles (bottom and mid-tier elite respectively, analogous with silver and gold medallion). DL gives lifetime Silver for 1 million flown miles and no higher status for subsequent million mile levels.



[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 11-10-2002).]

I left Delta for Continental last year. I lasted less than six months. Although Continental offers a more liberal upgrade policy, I was deeply unimpressed with their customer service and the miserable Houston hub.

Some years ago, I made a similar departure from Delta and flew American for a while. I ran into too many customer service problems--screwed up tickets, unhelpful agents.

I think it really depends on where you live and where you fly. The Delta staff at the places I tend to visit are usually helpful, polite, etc. In almost any case when I've had a snafu, Delta has responded quickly and professionally. I can't say the same for American nor Continental.

[This message has been edited by Mats (edited 11-10-2002).]

For all you AA lovers just move to DFW or ORD and you'll be wishing for DAL once again. It's nice to come home and land at the same terminal you left in. It's also nice to land and have a gate to go too and not sit for and hour or more while AA tries to move a plane out for your way. It's even much nicer to hace a ground crew to unload bags after you 've landed rather than to have the pilot apologize for his employers failure to be a smart business and leave your passengers waiting for another hour. All of these reasons and the fact that as non-medallion I can still fly in F for $40.00 to ATL or CVG keeps me coming back.

I would rather fly DAL cargo before I ever step foot on an AA plane.