Comments on: Downgraded: How much more can Delta alienate its frequent flyers? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Upgrades and Downgrades — Delta SkyMiles insults us all, Frontier’s standby sits down, OpenSkies closes coach, Google Maps goes afoot, and United shoots itself in the foot | Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-26867 Upgrades and Downgrades — Delta SkyMiles insults us all, Frontier’s standby sits down, OpenSkies closes coach, Google Maps goes afoot, and United shoots itself in the foot | Upgrade: Travel Better Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:12:45 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-26867 [...] know that miles are being devalued, and we understand that airlines are trying to make a buck (by screwing their most loyal customers, ahem), but it’s disingenuous when the airline says it’s giving travelers “more [...] [...] know that miles are being devalued, and we understand that airlines are trying to make a buck (by screwing their most loyal customers, ahem), but it’s disingenuous when the airline says it’s giving travelers “more [...]

]]> By: Mergers: Are your miles safe? » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21443 Mergers: Are your miles safe? » Upgrade: Travel Better Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:14:56 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21443 [...] to that the fact that such inflation is already underway, even without the mergers. Things don’t look good for [...] [...] to that the fact that such inflation is already underway, even without the mergers. Things don’t look good for [...]

]]> By: Ann Schmidt http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21433 Ann Schmidt Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:30:35 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21433 Couldn't agree more. I will never fly Delta again. They bumped us off a business flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt (due to the weather) put us on economy next day. I have tried to get a refund but they keep telling me we had a 'complimentary upgrade'. Complimentary = free, but we paid Business prices and were not told when booking that it was a Complimentary upgrade. The way they treat paying (and loyal) customers is a disgrace. Ann in Germany Couldn’t agree more. I will never fly Delta again. They bumped us off a business flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt (due to the weather) put us on economy next day. I have tried to get a refund but they keep telling me we had a ‘complimentary upgrade’. Complimentary = free, but we paid Business prices and were not told when booking that it was a Complimentary upgrade. The way they treat paying (and loyal) customers is a disgrace. Ann in Germany

]]> By: Chris Guillebeau http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21319 Chris Guillebeau Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:27:12 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21319 Sad but true, the sun is indeed setting. These changes keep getting more and more pathetic. I have one final Delta awards ticket, to head back to Bucharest in June, but afterwards I don't think I'll consider transferring any AmEx points to Delta unless I get desperate. It's a real shame, because in other areas they've been improving recently-- more international destinations especially in Africa and Europe, and the new reclining coach seats-- but if you screw over your most loyal customers, good luck sustaining growth. Sad but true, the sun is indeed setting. These changes keep getting more and more pathetic. I have one final Delta awards ticket, to head back to Bucharest in June, but afterwards I don’t think I’ll consider transferring any AmEx points to Delta unless I get desperate.

It’s a real shame, because in other areas they’ve been improving recently– more international destinations especially in Africa and Europe, and the new reclining coach seats– but if you screw over your most loyal customers, good luck sustaining growth.

]]> By: Jordan http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21240 Jordan Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:24:34 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/04/03/downgraded-how-much-more-can-delta-alienate-its-frequent-flyers/#comment-21240 Well put. Although it's nothing new, Delta's one-class, one-way upgrade program using miles is getting increasingly worthless. As a Platinum Medallion member, I was told yesterday that if I wanted to upgrade any leg of my upcoming Atlanta-Tokyo (with stopovers) trip for which I paid about $2k, I could not use miles unless I paid another $2k to "upgrade" the fare, and then 25k-40k miles on top of that for a one-leg upgrade. Despite the fact I'm Atlanta-based and it usually makes sense to fly Delta, I usually make the loyal choice regardless to watch my miles build up. Now I'm doubtful that there's even a point to the whole system, besides duping their most loyal customers into thinking their miles mean something. Well put. Although it’s nothing new, Delta’s one-class, one-way upgrade program using miles is getting increasingly worthless. As a Platinum Medallion member, I was told yesterday that if I wanted to upgrade any leg of my upcoming Atlanta-Tokyo (with stopovers) trip for which I paid about $2k, I could not use miles unless I paid another $2k to “upgrade” the fare, and then 25k-40k miles on top of that for a one-leg upgrade. Despite the fact I’m Atlanta-based and it usually makes sense to fly Delta, I usually make the loyal choice regardless to watch my miles build up. Now I’m doubtful that there’s even a point to the whole system, besides duping their most loyal customers into thinking their miles mean something.

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