All of the ”big three” carriers in the United States have invitation-only elite status. I’ve written about how American Airlines has Concierge Key and United Airlines has Global Services, and in this post, I want to take a closer look at Delta’s invitation-only status, which is arguably the most mysterious of the three.
Continue reading: Delta 360: What Is Delta’s Secret, Invitation-Only Status?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
So just to be clear, you can be Delta 360, but if you are on a basic economy ticket you are stuck in the back of the bus, and if you are on a main classic ticket but traveling with more than one person (like, I don’t know, a family) you have to pay for comfort+ seats. Seems especially cheap as compared to both UA and AA which have much more generous policies.
You get what you pay for! Airlines made a rod for their own backs by upgrading "elites" for free, just because there were empty seats. It's entirely reasonable to expect payment in either cash or points to sit in a chair at the front.
I agree that you get what you pay for. I have no problem flying Delta and paying for what I want. But I also don't have a problem flying American or United. Just seems to me that the Medallion program is just designed for a solo business traveler that does not ever book basic, where as American/United are also trying to capture families. That's fine of course, and obviously Delta can do what they want - they are incredibly profitable and generally pretty reliable. But even at the very top end of their Delta 360 spectrum, still nickel and diming their most loyal customers who may not need to sit in FC with their family on a couple of hour flight but wouldn't mind a few inches of extra legroom. That's notable to me, especially when American/United take a different approach.
I’ve been a 360° member for 3 years. 4.5 million lifetime flight miles and about $800k a year on the card and over $50k a year in tickets.
Overall it’s a great perk as the call center is exceptionally helpful when needed. Although I did like the separate boarding after military.
There is no better domestic airline in my opinion Delta goes above and beyond as often as possible.
I’ve found with top tier airline and hotel programmes there are further tiers within the tier proper, the unpublished benefits offered to some are not offered to all, the core benefits are great it’s the service not spoken about that makes achieving status and retaining it very valuable.
Indeed. At American Airlines, there is one level above Concierge Key and is akin to British Airways Premier. Not a tier status per se but more of a business relationship identifier.
Most people would agree that Delta has the best service in the air and airports, but Delta still flies too many old planes with dated/uncomfortable cabins. Everyone slammed United for the slow Polaris rollout but somehow Delta gets a pass for their meager DeltaOne Suite availability. Nearly a decade on, you’re still more likely to end up on a crappy old bird, especially when flying transcon.
Wonder what the rationale behind demoting the 360's to Zone 2?????? Very strange.
I've been able to upgrade my travel partner to C+ shortly after booking a ticket. Haven't traveled with more than one person though since becoming Diamond.
I would rather fly on a “crappy old bird” with better service any day. Still a nonunion (sans the pilots) airline you can't beat their employees.
The planes are safe, clean and have proven to be reliable. Sometimes new and updated does not equal better.