So Delta has put together a chart comparing their status levels to other programs' status levels, which is rather misleading, to say the least. First of all, any airline that thinks it's the best in everything (according to a chart like this) is full of it. Second of all, I find it interesting that US…
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When they say that Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades on Award Tickets won't be available until first quarter of 2010, does that mean that they just won't be processing upgrades as they normally do (since I've heard that the rationale behind this is technological limitations)? Or, does this actually mean that if you're on a flight with upgrade availability they'll let those seats go out empty, even if there are elite members on board on award tickets (rare though this scenario may be)?
And the fact that they don't bother to publish their award charts from anywhere but the US is just another sign of their superiority, right?
Come on Ben, every airlines advertises their program as the best. And it's not like the program is absolutely terrible.
Its true our three tier system is complete carp, but on the upside, we do have more promos to get more miles (less if you're Canadian!). So Skymiles are worth significantly less, but they are easier to get, and since basic redemption levels are roughly the some as other legacies, if you're flexible with your dates and/or destination, or if you redeem on other airlines in the alliance, the awards system is actually more rewarding than most.
I know Skyteam is pretty weak, especially with CO leaving, but the prospect of JL possibly coming over, and airlines like CI, MH, GA, and many others possibly joining, and the fact that DL doesn't block award inventories from other airlines. Skymiles really isn't has bad as it looks
I know, Skyteam is a weaker alliance,
@ Seth -- My understanding is that they're not processing award ticket upgrades due to "limitations," but at the same time won't be upgrading at the gate, even with empty seats. I might be wrong, and as always, the gate agent has quite a bit of power in this case.
@ Sam -- Sure, every airline can advertise they're the best, and if you've read my blog for a long time you'll know I've "called out" virtually every airline once or twice. Sorry, this is just dirty. Most airlines make "dirty" moves once in a while, and I'll call them out too.
SkyMiles isn't a bad program, especially if you don't earn miles through flying. If I just earned miles through flying, I'd feel cheated, given that I can earn more miles with very little effort through partner activity when they have promotions. And it's not true that they don't block partner award inventory. They have widespread and consistent blocking, actually. Look at Air France first class and Korean Air first class. In my book that's just about as bad as Starnet blocking, but at least they're straightforward about it.
Don't get me wrong, Delta is a pretty good airline to fly on, but most would agree they have the weakest mileage program of the legacies. And there's a reason for that. Just because they use marketing terms like "best in class" doesn't make it so.
Not to mention that as of today ALL AA published fares are eligible to upgrade (including the previously un-upgradable economy O, Q and business I fares).
Back in 2001 or 2002 (?) Northwest eliminated their low-season discounted redemption levels, claiming that it "simplified" award bookings for customers. I guess the same people are now writing the marketese for Delta.
lucky, i though you were all about the earn to burn ratio, and you can't beat DL on that, you earn a lot more miles, but the redemption levels are the same, and for someone like yourself, who schedules travels around award availability, its really a great program. And not all promos are partner based. I don't qualify for most of the U.S. based promos, but i still managed to get around 60,000 per trip to asia this summer thanks to the Asia summer promo, the AS double miles promo, and some others, And if i could qualify for the Amex promo i'd get even more. On an MR, one could easily get below 1cpm on DL, that's very difficult to achieve on other airlines.
In a lot of ways, i think DL is like the airline equivalent of IC hotels, the elite benefits are not that great, but you get a crap load of miles for doing very little actual activity.