DL to buy 49% stake in VS (from SQ)
Dec 12, 2012, 2:31 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New York
Programs: BA, LH, VS, Hyatt, SPG
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As usual, CAPA has a very good analysis of the deal:
http://centreforaviation.com/analysi...-skyteam-91362
http://centreforaviation.com/analysi...-skyteam-91362
Dec 12, 2012, 3:37 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,772
As a DL Platinum and VS Gold, I would really like to be happy about this announcement, I really would. But with my regular TATL itinerary being CPH-MCO, I preferred to see VS join Star so I could get from CPH-UK and catch a VS flight to MCO.
I cannot get a direct flight from CPH-UK on Sky - would have to go via CDG or AMS, and we're not going to do two short flights just to reach our longhaul departure city. And the return from the US to Europe on the redeye would not be fun if needing a double short connection following the longhaul to reach home.
I wonder if VS/DL will expand their intra-Europe connections?
Also wonder if DL SWUs will be redeemable for VS upgrades into UC.
Susan
I cannot get a direct flight from CPH-UK on Sky - would have to go via CDG or AMS, and we're not going to do two short flights just to reach our longhaul departure city. And the return from the US to Europe on the redeye would not be fun if needing a double short connection following the longhaul to reach home.
I wonder if VS/DL will expand their intra-Europe connections?
Also wonder if DL SWUs will be redeemable for VS upgrades into UC.
Susan
Dec 12, 2012, 3:37 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 644
VS are actually stronger to New York and Boston than Delta I believe - London originating anyway. So I can't see Delta taking over too much in that regard.
I could see Delta handing VS Boston perhaps. Seattle seems another likely one, and VS have mentioned that in the past. Lots of big companies there.
I could see Delta handing VS Boston perhaps. Seattle seems another likely one, and VS have mentioned that in the past. Lots of big companies there.
Dec 12, 2012, 5:47 am
#34
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United miles are actually very useful for Star Alliance awards.
Dec 12, 2012, 10:14 am
#35
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Exactly my experience in recent years. I've gotten great awards with my United miles and a whole bunch of nothing with my Delta miles.
Dec 12, 2012, 11:21 am
#37
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Theoretically it will open up more ways for you to spend miles, but of course it all means the likes of me with our Delta miles will be competing with you for those Virgin awards. Everything hinges on the award availability Delta and Virgin open up going forward. I've been pretty unimpressed with Delta on that in recent years.
Dec 12, 2012, 11:32 am
#38
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I would think (hope?) that the VS fuel surcharges are kept for DL awards on VS as a disincentive to stop all award availability being hoovered up by DL flyers. It's what AA/BA did and although there was much crying from the AA flyers, it seems to have worked fairly well in ensuring award availability on BA still. While I might not like paying Ł500 for a J award, it does have some benefits in scaring off people who are just not used to paying that level of surcharge on an award flight.
Dec 12, 2012, 11:34 am
#39
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I would think (hope?) that the VS fuel surcharges are kept for DL awards on VS as a disincentive to stop all award availability being hoovered up by DL flyers. It's what AA/BA did and although there was much crying from the AA flyers, it seems to have worked fairly well in ensuring award availability on BA still. While I might not like paying Ł500 for a J award, it does have some benefits in scaring off people who are just not used to paying that level of surcharge on an award flight.
Dec 12, 2012, 11:55 am
#40
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I would think (hope?) that the VS fuel surcharges are kept for DL awards on VS as a disincentive to stop all award availability being hoovered up by DL flyers. It's what AA/BA did and although there was much crying from the AA flyers, it seems to have worked fairly well in ensuring award availability on BA still. While I might not like paying Ł500 for a J award, it does have some benefits in scaring off people who are just not used to paying that level of surcharge on an award flight.
So, if Virgin takes the same approach and makes Upper Class awards reasonably available, albeit with a substantial surcharge, that's just fine with me.
Dec 12, 2012, 12:13 pm
#41
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I'm used to paying them. I'm finding them too high now - I could accept Ł200 - Ł300 better than I can accept Ł500+ (which is getting towards the price of a Y ticket) But they do mean I still have availability when I want to use my BA miles, and I don't need to worry that AA flyers wanting a bit higher quality will have used up all the availability.
All things being equal, I'd like not to pay them but still have availablity. But since it is not a perfect world, I'd rather pay them and have availability than not pay them and have no availability.
All things being equal, I'd like not to pay them but still have availablity. But since it is not a perfect world, I'd rather pay them and have availability than not pay them and have no availability.
Dec 12, 2012, 3:45 pm
#42
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Dec 12, 2012, 3:56 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I also don't mind the taxes and surcharges if it means you effectively have access to deeply discounted business class seats.
Maybe, but it increases the risk of having to get on board a United plane again. No thanks.
Maybe, but it increases the risk of having to get on board a United plane again. No thanks.
Dec 12, 2012, 9:27 pm
#44
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Dec 12, 2012, 9:52 pm
#45
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When you're dealing with a program that has fuel surcharges, this is the way you need to look at it. It would be great to get a J/F ticket for free (or practically free), but even with paying YQ, I'm still able to fly J or F at a vast discount compared with the revenue price for such a ticket, which I would not be able to afford.