Comments on: Delta’s New AI Pricing Aimed At Crushing Elite Perks As Upgrades Drop To 13%

By: Arthur Kite

Arthur Kite — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 03:08:56 +0000

Diarrhea Delta will do anything to make a buck. Shocker. Not. Diarrhea Delta has always been the most parsimonious airline in the industry, using marketing dollars to make passengers imagine they were getting a special product. In fact, it is just the stench of diarrhea up and down the aisles and in seats while the lavatories and FA fannies reek of hydrogen sulfide.

By: Brian W

Brian W — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 04:31:37 +0000

Another article about not getting a free upgrade. @Gary, FF programs don’t reward loyalty, they are a revenue generating program for the airline. If you want an F or J seat, pay for it. Airlines barely break even selling economy seats, so their is incentive to generate more money with ancillary fees such as selling seat upgrades.

By: Christopher Raehl

Christopher Raehl — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 04:23:02 +0000

I have no idea why anyone still charges to a Skymiles card, and I’ve had that opinion since before the pandemic. A cash back card and buy the ticket beats any value you can get from a skylines card.

I even quit making purchases on the United card … I have one for the Club membership and that’s it.

I feel like airlines have gotten themselves to the point that they lose a credit card customer every time someone tries to book a miles ticket and is confronted with just how bad a value proposition that now is.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 14:11:45 +0000

Lack of upgrades only hurts OPM flyers who are only allowed Y
And that’s ok. Freeloaders.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:43:34 +0000

@DaveW, they are not acting as if they prefer the $40k Y pax, since they are making things better for us (lowering costs of J/F) and worse for him (making status less valuable).

The goal is more profit, not just more revenue.

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 06:33:01 +0000

This mentality is just stunningly stupid. If Delta takes away the biggest benefit of being a high level elite member then why wouldn’t people just get a Delta credit card for a couple hundred bucks a year to get better loading category spots and a free bag while on Delta and normally fly other airlines? I realize that no U.S. airline holds engaged loyalty members in such contempt as Delta but actively driving away the people keeping you in business sure seems like a bad idea. Good thing for Delta they have their fortress hubs and vassal airlines.

By: Marco

Marco — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 03:06:37 +0000

Except for IRROPS accommodation, no airline should provide upgrades for free, regardless of elite status.

Glad to see in the comments above that most have accepted this fact, and agree that it is so much better for the airline to offer premium cabin seats at reasonable price points instead.

Thank you Delta! (And American and United).

By: FNT Delta Diamond

FNT Delta Diamond — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:47:08 +0000

@toomanybooks: It’s also supply and demand. Delta’s 350s that replaced the 747 had too few business-class seats. It takes a while to correct poor planning. The new 350s will have an expanded business-class footprint. Domestically, Delta could probably easily add two rows of first-class to most of the planes for a total 8 more seats.

By: Dave W.

Dave W. — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:23:55 +0000

@FNT “Yes, the airlines and large hotel chains effectively collude with each other” They’re too smart to collude in a way that could get them caught. But, it’s very much like nearby gas stations: I can see exactly what your new price is when you post it. I can degrade my program. If you do, we could call that collusion, but we reach the same place without conspracy. Plus, I can always rescind the change if you don’t match. I think the path is clear: miles and status will get you less over time.

By: toomanybooks

toomanybooks — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:10:27 +0000

Everybody and his brother is online trading tips on CCs, miles/points. Compared to years ago, it’s utterly immense the change.

I remember when I started touting the WN CP in about 2005-6, I was laughed at by my FT friends. There were about 10 of us online discussing it. Now there are Facebook groups with 100000s of people going for CP and they learn in 5 minutes about the 2 CC trick. Get it for a couple hundreds of bucks for 2 years. I don’t see how WN can sustain it.

I do not follow DL much, but I imagine it’s the same. People with means buy FC because they know they won’t get the upgrade competing with armies of Skymiles people. Vicious cycle.

Completely different game now.