Delta is the “best” of the “big three” US carriers, plain and simple. They have a fantastic route network, great on-time record, generally friendly employees, planes with amenities that business travelers value (wifi & power ports), etc.
The problem is that they know they’re the best, and therefore they do just about anything they can to destroy the value of their frequent flyer program… because they feel that they just don’t need it. The issue is that the other US carriers follow their lead, using the logic that if Delta is doing something then it must be the right thing to do.
Which brings us to Delta’s latest changes to Comfort+… but first some background.
US carriers do premium economy differently
Many non-US airlines have “true” premium economy products, which are somewhere between economy and business class. As business class has improved over the years and as economy class has become tighter and tighter, there’s a market for some middle ground.
So many airlines offer premium economy, which I guess could most closely be compared to domestic first class within the US, though perhaps a little bit less spacious.
Cathay Pacific’s premium economy
US airlines have historically not offered premium economy, though they have offered an extra legroom economy product. This started with United introducing Economy Plus eons ago, and then American followed with Main Cabin Extra and Delta followed with Comfort+. What’s different is that they’re typically the same economy seats which simply have a bit of extra legroom.
As a general rule of thumb the extra legroom cabin has been complimentary for elite members (at least higher tier elites), though airlines have been doing more to monetize it, understandably.
Delta’s “innovating” extra legroom seating
While Delta was at first a follower when it comes to extra legroom economy seating, they’ve slowly become the innovator.
Late last year Delta announced they were rebranding their extra legroom seating to Comfort+. Perhaps the most significant distinction is that they began offering free alcoholic beverages and snacks in Comfort+, which is the first time we’ve seen a US airline offer that.
More recently they’ve clearly been trying to make it more like a separate class of service, as they’ve also started introducing curtains between the main economy cabin and Comfort+.
Clearly they’re hoping for a return on investment, or else they wouldn’t be making these changes. 😉
Comfort+ will become a separate fare class
Aaaaaand now we’re learning Delta’s motivation for trying to differentiate Comfort+.
As of May 16, 2016, Delta is introducing Comfort+ as a separate fare class.
In other words, previously you could buy regular economy and then pay to upgrade to Comfort+, while under the new system Comfort+ will have a specific fare class, and you can buy those seats directly.
If you look at flights as of May 16, 2016, you’ll already see the fare classes loaded:
Similarly, you can also redeem miles directly for Comfort+. Take the above flight, where Comfort+ is $25 more than the “normal” Main Cabin fare.
If redeeming miles, you can redeem an extra 5,000 SkyMiles for Comfort+. Spending an extra 5,000 miles for a ticket which would cost an extra $25 isn’t exactly much of a deal, at half a cent per mile.
So Delta is finally marketing this as a completely different product, much like non-US carriers market premium economy.
What are the implications of Comfort+ changes?
Okay, Delta now has a separate fare class for Comfort+. So what?
Not surprisingly, Delta isn’t being especially straightforward in publishing these changes, but rather is making us connect the dots about the implications by revealing information in the form of FAQs.
The first interesting change is that Platinum and Diamond Medallion members will have to go through an extra step to request Comfort+ seats. Previously they could directly assign them on the seatmap when booking, while now they’ll have to book and then click the “Request Upgrade” box on the passenger information page. Here’s how it’s explained in the FAQs:
AS A DIAMOND OR PLATINUM MEDALLION MEMBER, HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS TO DELTA COMFORT+ FOR FLIGHTS WITHIN THE U.S. 50 AND CANADA DEPARTING ON OR AFTER MAY 16, 2016?
In order to take advantage of complimentary access to Delta Comfort+ for flights within the U.S. 50 and Canada, select a Main Cabin ticket and make sure to check the Delta Comfort+ box in the Request Upgrade section of the Passenger Information page. Your upgrade will be based on availability at time of ticketing or anytime thereafter. For your convenience, you can update your Complimentary Upgrade request at any time prior to departure in My Trips on delta.com, by contacting Delta Reservations or by requesting at check-in.
The worst change is probably that Delta is cutting guesting privileges into Comfort+. Previously Medallion members could take up to eight companions into Comfort+, while under the new system they can take at most one companion for free. Here’s how it’s described:
As PART OF MY MEDALLION BENEFITS, WILL MY TRAVEL COMPANION STILL ENJOY COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS TO DELTA COMFORT+?
For flights within the U.S. 50 and Canada, departing on or after May 16, 2016, Medallion members and one SkyMiles traveling companion may enjoy complimentary access to Delta Comfort+ when traveling in the same reservation on Delta and Delta Connection carriers. Clearance priority will be based on the priority of the lowest level SkyMiles member in your reservation. For flights prior to May 16, 2016, Medallion members and up to eight traveling companions in the same reservation may be eligible for Delta Comfort+ upgrades. Terms and conditions apply.
The part which makes no sense is where it says “clearance priority will be based on the priority of the lowest level SkyMiles member in your reservation.” So if a Diamond Medallion is traveling with a Gold Medallion on the same reservation, does that mean they can only select Comfort+ seats 72 hours out? That makes absolutely no sense.
For a reference my friends in Atlanta may understand:
My thoughts on these changes
These changes don’t surprise me, and frankly, I sort of commend Delta for their creativity. Unfortunately they’re just too damn good at what they do, and we can’t fault them for creatively trying to monetize on their value-add products. They know how to maximize shareholder value, that’s for sure…
What remains to be seen is how many miles you’ll accrue for booking directly into Comfort+. Will it offer a class of service bonus, much like paid first or business class would? Per the “earn miles” page on delta.com, flights in “W” class earn 150% MQMs:
That being said, there is a specific disclaimer stating that this is only valid for flights operated by Air France, Virgin Atlantic, or Virgin Australia. So will there be a different accrual rate for travel in “W” class on Delta?
I’m also curious about how Comfort+ “availability” will work. Short term I don’t think Delta will put any capacity restrictions on Comfort+. But long term something tells me they’ll start to have separate Comfort+ upgrade inventory, just like they have for first class.
Just because a first class seat is available for sale doesn’t mean you can upgrade to it, and I see no reason Delta would act differently towards Comfort+.
Bottom line
Delta has clearly been trying to differentiate Comfort+, so it was only a matter of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is this move good for consumers/elite members? Absolutely not. Is this a smart revenue enhancement technique on the part of Delta? I’d say so.
Eventually my guess is that Comfort+ upgrade inventory will be a subset of actual availability. Heck, maybe long term elite members will be lucky if they can upgrade to Comfort+, and upgrades from economy to first class aren’t even an option anymore. I’m sure it’s all a part of Delta’s long term plan. And good for them, I suppose.
The major implication here is that when Delta does something, United and American follow. So keep your eyes out for that…
What do you make of Delta’s Comfort+ changes? What do you think their long term strategy is?
Soon to be ex DL frequent flyer; MM , DM for numerous years and I am a high revenue flyer. Fortunately I fly out of TPA and there are plenty of other shows in town. I can't believe I was such a fool to jump through hoops and accept lousy connections to maintain a status that is absolutely meaningless. I really don't care about walking over that stupid rug while boarding . I don't care...
Soon to be ex DL frequent flyer; MM , DM for numerous years and I am a high revenue flyer. Fortunately I fly out of TPA and there are plenty of other shows in town. I can't believe I was such a fool to jump through hoops and accept lousy connections to maintain a status that is absolutely meaningless. I really don't care about walking over that stupid rug while boarding . I don't care about early boarding (I get to spend plenty of time in tin tubes as it is). I check my bag and I can get a credit card that will take care of checked bag fees.
I have 2M miles + with Delta. I've been a steady Diamond since I can remember. All I can say is that I've seen FF privileges not only being taken slowly away, but made overly complicated and frustrating. Case in point JFK-LAX round trip. No more complimentary upgrades from economy to business. You have to use your regional certificates. No more economy comfort seats free choice from online booking if available. Now you have to...
I have 2M miles + with Delta. I've been a steady Diamond since I can remember. All I can say is that I've seen FF privileges not only being taken slowly away, but made overly complicated and frustrating. Case in point JFK-LAX round trip. No more complimentary upgrades from economy to business. You have to use your regional certificates. No more economy comfort seats free choice from online booking if available. Now you have to request the upgrade. So, looking around at prices...Delta is not that competitive. Why in the world should I fly with them on that route when I can get a better seat in somebody else' premium for the price of Delta economy? Because I can pile up miles for free trips? Or reach Diamond status? I don't care about that. With the amount of flying I do I can reach that status with any airlines very quickly. And again, talking about status, what are the rewards of being a 1M or 2M miler with Delta? Practically none. Just a capital M on your card. I've heard and engaged in many similar conversations with other Delta FF passengers at lounges around the world and they all agree that taking privileges away is the perfect policy to lose loyalty.
I am very disappointed in Delta. We fly out of a small airport that connects everything in Atlanta. It is extremely rare that Comfort + is available from our airport to atlanta, but now we will have to pay for it if we want those seats on the long leg of our flights. It is simply another way of money-grubbing!!! Way to reward your loyal customers Delta. So much for the Gold AmEx. Guess we're changing airlines and cancelling a credit card too!
I fly enough to make Diamond in 3 quarters. I will just shift 25% of my flying dollars to another airline to take status there. Others will do the same. Even though I live in Atlanta, there are plenty of choices. Delta is destroying long term loyalty (e.g. life time value) for decreasing short-term gains, which customers know how to exploit. On the other hand, this will decrease miles inventory for Delta as flyers spread...
I fly enough to make Diamond in 3 quarters. I will just shift 25% of my flying dollars to another airline to take status there. Others will do the same. Even though I live in Atlanta, there are plenty of choices. Delta is destroying long term loyalty (e.g. life time value) for decreasing short-term gains, which customers know how to exploit. On the other hand, this will decrease miles inventory for Delta as flyers spread their miles across multiple airlines. Maybe it's a wash.
I hope Delta has thought this through. Sadly if it is a mistake, they will not be able to easy undo it. You have be careful putting faith into spreadsheet jockies who lack line experience. I have seen it backfire many times in many industries.
It took the new CEO all of 2 months to figure out how to screw with loyal fliers all for the sake of their precious stockholders. Perfect example GREED!
So much for loyalty, from a DM/MM who can count my upgraded over the last 2 years using one hand.
I used to think Delta's program was the best, this is no longer the case. While the E+ was nice it was not worth the difference being charged, who is doing all this free drinking while flying into work on a Monday morning?
No loyalty can work both ways. I used to go thru...
So much for loyalty, from a DM/MM who can count my upgraded over the last 2 years using one hand.
I used to think Delta's program was the best, this is no longer the case. While the E+ was nice it was not worth the difference being charged, who is doing all this free drinking while flying into work on a Monday morning?
No loyalty can work both ways. I used to go thru Atlanta instead of taking a direct flight on Delta just for the miles and upgrade benefits, those days are now gone.
I used the Comfort+ fare a few weeks ago for my upcoming trip to LA. I was skeptical at first, but it was a wise choice cause I ended up paying nearly half of what I would've paid on American w/ the Main Cabin Extra upgrade, which is what I usually buy when flying to LA.
I have flown my last Delta flight. I am a gold medallion member and have watched the benefits go down and the prices go up. This new change is the last straw. I hope once passengers understand all of this, Delta will take a hit. I think customers are intelligent enough to realize this only benefits Delta.
I'm starting to classify Delta in the same category I categorize Comcast. A love/hate relationship with the love seriously beginning to wane and the hate beginning to slowly increase. They've become WAAAY more concerned with their stock price than taking care of their customers.
It's beginning to feel like the majority of meetings that take place at Delta are brainstorming sessions over how to manipulate the seat structure, the skymiles program, and/or luggage matters, to...
I'm starting to classify Delta in the same category I categorize Comcast. A love/hate relationship with the love seriously beginning to wane and the hate beginning to slowly increase. They've become WAAAY more concerned with their stock price than taking care of their customers.
It's beginning to feel like the majority of meetings that take place at Delta are brainstorming sessions over how to manipulate the seat structure, the skymiles program, and/or luggage matters, to further squeeze just a few more nickels out of every last piece of cattle. I wonder if anyone is still maintaining the planes? Wouldn't be surprised to read about an engine falling off one day during a flight.
This is not a creative solution. I used to be able to pay to upgrade to economy comfort seats, but now under the new policy, I cannot. I have to use the corporate booking engine. So, I am switching back to UA where I can book E+ seats immediately. Bye-bye DL!
How does this effect Air France platinum members booking Delta? Used to be that Elite Plus got the upgrade to delta comfort at booking.
I am flying back from Beijing to Detroit and I see that 2 middle seats on the A330 are available in Economy Comfort is it worth giving up an Aisle Seat 16 for that middle seats. Are the drinks better and is the food any different. I don't worry about reclining my seat as I never recline mine.
Another disappointing move by Delta. After years as a Gold, I saw benefits go away. I actually took an unneeded flight to get to Platinum status last year to get free upgrades to China for a traveling companion (the cost was less for the unneeded flight than for the upgrade). Now this benefits is going away.
What some previous commenters don't realize (who are saying this is a good financial move) is the benefit of...
Another disappointing move by Delta. After years as a Gold, I saw benefits go away. I actually took an unneeded flight to get to Platinum status last year to get free upgrades to China for a traveling companion (the cost was less for the unneeded flight than for the upgrade). Now this benefits is going away.
What some previous commenters don't realize (who are saying this is a good financial move) is the benefit of booking a traveling companion in an upgraded seat as the time of booking is the only benefit some of us are interested in. A DM stated this earlier. Without it (and without an instant guarantee of upgrade - some say they aren't able to upgrade immediately) there is no point of being loyal. While our spouses/friends don't always fly with us, this is the only benefit that really matters to me. It's the only benefit that really saves me money. Now, to insure we'll be seated together there's money up front to upgrade - no benefit. No benefit, no loyalty.
See you later Delta.
I am a DM member. 2 Million Miler . The Medallion Program has been reducing the benefits every year. Once upon a time you would get miles provided if you missed an upgrade - gone! Once upon a time you would get "8" free drink vouchers a year for times you missed the upgrade - reduced to "4" a year" ! Once upon a time you would get a drink voucher printed on your boarding...
I am a DM member. 2 Million Miler . The Medallion Program has been reducing the benefits every year. Once upon a time you would get miles provided if you missed an upgrade - gone! Once upon a time you would get "8" free drink vouchers a year for times you missed the upgrade - reduced to "4" a year" ! Once upon a time you would get a drink voucher printed on your boarding pass if you missed upgrade - gone!.
Now if you pay the fare for Comfort + up front , and get upgraded to first class, do you get the fare difference from the main cabin refunded????
I suspect the list for upgrade to first class which is set based on fare paid will only happen if you already paid more for the Comfort + seats and then who gets upgraded to the Comfort + seating?
As DM / MM - this was my inquiry to Delta; no response yet
*How Can We Help?
I was booking travel for 2016 and noticed that there are now 3 classes of service - Main / DC / FC. I am trying to figure out what loyal flying means to Delta? I now cannot book a main cabin fare and select Delta Comfort? I called the Medallion line and was told that the...
As DM / MM - this was my inquiry to Delta; no response yet
*How Can We Help?
I was booking travel for 2016 and noticed that there are now 3 classes of service - Main / DC / FC. I am trying to figure out what loyal flying means to Delta? I now cannot book a main cabin fare and select Delta Comfort? I called the Medallion line and was told that the premium cabin is now its own cabin section. Not sure what type of aircraft she was speaking of; but my weekly commute FLL to NYC on 30 year old MD88s; Delta Comfort does not feel "special" to me nor warrants an incremental $100 fare difference. There are no power ports, I doubt the leg room is "better" and the times I have not gotten upgraded (thank you Delta for the upgrades) there was no "guaranteed" space in Delta Comfort for bags and had to "argue" with staff to get my bag on board. I assume who ever is doing Delta Marketing today came from the same brainchild / marketing team of Song a decade ago
I'm glad Delta is no longer going to allow diamonds to upgrade their family to comfort plus. I'm a dm and travel for business, usually at the last minute and find it annoying that people who have zero status get access to premium seats. That inventory should be for dm's, pm's or people who have paid for it.
I upgraded to the comfort seats for an upcoming trip to Italy. Other than the drinks and legroom, are there other benefits? I'm 5'6 so I don't require a ton of space. Are the seats much different than regular coach seats? Bigger? More recline room?
If everything is basically the same as the coach seats, I'm not certain it's worth it???
Regarding the free drinks, I might have a few drinks but not $138 worth. Priority boarding is not a huge deal to me.
Thoughts?
As much as I might dislike it, this is a brilliant move for DL. Why? More paid/rev higher priced seats sold.
People are going to see the $25 difference between Y & C+ and go for it. Likewise, F is "only" $25 more than C+, so people will think it's a bargain, not noticing it's $64 (157%) more than the base fare.
Most travelers aren't like the blogosphere and aren't the points whores...
As much as I might dislike it, this is a brilliant move for DL. Why? More paid/rev higher priced seats sold.
People are going to see the $25 difference between Y & C+ and go for it. Likewise, F is "only" $25 more than C+, so people will think it's a bargain, not noticing it's $64 (157%) more than the base fare.
Most travelers aren't like the blogosphere and aren't the points whores that we can be. If I were a true points whore, I'd be flying almost exclusively on UA and staying exclusively with Hyatt. BUT I'm not. If a hurricane were approaching a tropical island, and UA was the last flight out before the storm hit, I might take that flight...after researching which local bars plan on staying open. DL & B6 have probably the worst FF programs in the US, but they're who I fly. Hyatt does generally have nice properties, but a small footprint. Marriott the overwhelming majority of my business travel, Hyatt gets a few nights out of me here & there where they have good properties in good locations.
Ben,
Nice article. I think the First Class upgrades are going away, Comfort + is the only 'upgrade' the rest of us will ever hope for.
As for 'best', well I think you're morph'ing into Nick territory now.
The Delta planes are old, the IFE lags, they are awful in IRROPS and once you probe into the "we don't cancel flights" theory-- well it's clear that they simply have substituted "really, really long delays"...
Ben,
Nice article. I think the First Class upgrades are going away, Comfort + is the only 'upgrade' the rest of us will ever hope for.
As for 'best', well I think you're morph'ing into Nick territory now.
The Delta planes are old, the IFE lags, they are awful in IRROPS and once you probe into the "we don't cancel flights" theory-- well it's clear that they simply have substituted "really, really long delays" for "cancellations" in cases of mechanicals. I flew out of HNL the other night on AA in First... and there was a Delta flight to LAX on the board that was still showing a 21 hour delay. They finally canceled it but, geesch!
For me, all these changes just reinforce that I'll never be DM on Delta and I don't want to put up with the day-in-day-out hazing to BE DM...
I view this as a good change but only because I'm not DL loyal nor do I have status in the FF program. These changes don't affect me much at all and it would seem might even make buying into comfort+ even cheaper for me. I'm not a medallion flyer anymore so the other restrictions don't bother me at all. And, really, if an airline can operate as well as Delta then people will want...
I view this as a good change but only because I'm not DL loyal nor do I have status in the FF program. These changes don't affect me much at all and it would seem might even make buying into comfort+ even cheaper for me. I'm not a medallion flyer anymore so the other restrictions don't bother me at all. And, really, if an airline can operate as well as Delta then people will want to fly it. Those who want to fly UA in order to get value out of miles can choose it, but they also know what they're getting. How did Tommy Boy put it? I can take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed but it's still just a guaranteed piece of crap. If DL can stay at the top of the quality heap then the FF program won't matter much at all...and it seems that the masses prefer flying DL with full planes and few award seats available but I'm able to easily find UA award seats...
@Ziggy, I wish HMRC infinite success in levying taxes on Delta's Comfort Plus product: for removing benefits for elite flyers, they should pay up. I actually think Delta may have gone one step to far this time. They think they can remove a marginally better economy cabin product from their elites by only allowing direct upgrades into Comfort Plus if inventory is available. Meanwhile, Ma & Pa Kettle might be offered a tens of dollars...
@Ziggy, I wish HMRC infinite success in levying taxes on Delta's Comfort Plus product: for removing benefits for elite flyers, they should pay up. I actually think Delta may have gone one step to far this time. They think they can remove a marginally better economy cabin product from their elites by only allowing direct upgrades into Comfort Plus if inventory is available. Meanwhile, Ma & Pa Kettle might be offered a tens of dollars upgrade to Comfort Plus while a Diamond Medallion languishes in an uncomfortable economy seat. In the words of Jeff $mi$ek, I can foresee Richard Anderson on the flight introduction video telling customers Delta is making changes for their customers, and they are going to like them.
Delta's legacy is a minimum spending requirements for elite status, changing mileage accrual to a revenue based system, and implementing every devaluation marketed as an enhancement that is followed by other airlines in their loyalty programs. If they were smart, Delta's US based competitors would call their bluff and have better loyalty programs which would serve as a major advantage to their financial profitability.
In some respects this isn't as big of a change as people think. As a Delta non-status flier, I always check in exactly 24 hours before a flight and almost always score E+ upgrades for $35 on transcon flights. So clearly those seats are not going to Silver/Gold/Plat fliers, when they clearly should be. Those transcon flights are always full of fliers with status, so it's not as if there aren't people that deserve those seats more than me.
Doesn't this re-start the question over what happens with UK APD if Delta flies aircraft with Comfort+ into the UK? Before we just had a curtain dividing E from E+ but, now, if Delta have gone and used a whole new fare code just for E+ and defined the extra benefits, what's to stop UK HMRC from defining E+ as a "premium cabin" and charging taxes accordingly?
Getting this out of the way, a lot of business travelers don't rely on loyalty- they expense everything, so Delta knows they can get away with it. To a business, things like getting the exact time slot so a half-day isn't wasted, flying out of LaGuardia (including the -only- decent terminal there) over JFK, WiFi on your plane, and a club that isn't entirely dysfunctional means a lot more than 'free' loyalty upgrades. The extra...
Getting this out of the way, a lot of business travelers don't rely on loyalty- they expense everything, so Delta knows they can get away with it. To a business, things like getting the exact time slot so a half-day isn't wasted, flying out of LaGuardia (including the -only- decent terminal there) over JFK, WiFi on your plane, and a club that isn't entirely dysfunctional means a lot more than 'free' loyalty upgrades. The extra $300.00 it might cost for a Business class fare or the extra $9.00 Delta charges for their insanely overpriced lounge is just another line item expense. Additionally, for those flying to flyover country, their itineraries are usually the most appealing (anything to avoid a broken 'United Express' regional jet with no WiFi and broken coffee maker.)
That's not to say Delta's a great airline or even the best domestic one. Their planes are old as hell (but with a fresh coat of paint and new seat covers!), Virgin and JetBlue offer a significantly better experience, and their on-time numbers must come from an alternate reality I don't live in.
From a FF standpoint, it's not good but from DL's perspective I think it's a great move. No more direct y to j upgrades. You have to buy PEY.
The thing is, most us based passengers think they are entitled to upgrades. It's a great perk to have but it's definitely not automatic. If you want jcl, buy a jcl ticket.
Delta firmly believes their customers are idiots. Actually, I'm not sure they even consider most of their customers as "customers" but instead consider them as the "masses" or "general public". It's going to backfire on these nincompoops in upper management, trust me. I myself am not giving them the satisfaction anymore and have started to fly AA or Southwest even though Delta admittedly offers the best product "right now".
I'd be more impressed if they went to 5-across on their domestic narrowbody fleet. Main cabin at 6, Comfort+ at 5, Domestic First at 4. Now THAT would be innovation.
5-across and 36" pitch is a product I'd definitely buy. As it is, who is going to actually buy a middle seat in Comfort+ instead of an aisle/window in Main Cabin? I have a feeling that a lot of those middles are going to be op-ups from the masses when flights are full.
people on FT are reporting as a DM they are doing dummy bookings and not getting comfort plus "shortly after booking" and have called in to be told there is no 'upgrade availability' to comfort plus available even though there isn't a single seat sold from comfort plus.
The other dynamic that enables Delta to gut their frequent flyer program (and treat high value customers fairly poorly) is the lack of competition in the airline space in the US. We've gone from having far too much competition, to having far too little. So are they good? Maybe. But they are acting just like you would expect any member of a oligarchy to act.
A depressed ATL platinum captive here. I've put up with Delta's rabid anti-loyalty actions over the last 2-3 years. This latest anti-loyalty money grab could be the final straw. It seems as though I will almost never be able to sit next to my wife,who travels with me about 3 to 4 times per year, and has no Delta status. Good job Delta.
Going forward, as much as possible, I am going to...
A depressed ATL platinum captive here. I've put up with Delta's rabid anti-loyalty actions over the last 2-3 years. This latest anti-loyalty money grab could be the final straw. It seems as though I will almost never be able to sit next to my wife,who travels with me about 3 to 4 times per year, and has no Delta status. Good job Delta.
Going forward, as much as possible, I am going to become an airline free-agent......mercenary. Let the Delta shareholders and Wall St analysts ( Who have never seen a seat too small or plane too packed with seats ) fill their damn seats if the only reason Delta exists is to serve shareholder value. My question is, how does it serve shareholder value by pushing away your most loyal and profitable customers?
from delta.com
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/onboard-experience/delta-comfort-plus.html#upgrade
Diamond and Platinum Medallion members receive Delta Comfort+ seat assignments shortly after ticketing.
Gold Medallion members will be notified of an upgrade 72 hours before departure
Silver Medallion members will be notified of an upgrade 24 hours before departure, based on availability.
Once again Delta is screwing up top medallion customers. As a DM I am flying my family of 4 in Delta Comfort+ internationally for FREE next week. At the time of reservation I was able to select all our seats together in Comfort+ on all the flights. My wife and kids have no Delta status and thus after this stupid change it will be impossible for us to fly all together in Comfort+ for free....
Once again Delta is screwing up top medallion customers. As a DM I am flying my family of 4 in Delta Comfort+ internationally for FREE next week. At the time of reservation I was able to select all our seats together in Comfort+ on all the flights. My wife and kids have no Delta status and thus after this stupid change it will be impossible for us to fly all together in Comfort+ for free. And their bragger CEO will still wear that 1900 beige suit and say they are the best airline in the world during the safety video. ˆ[email protected]*&#*&[email protected]#*!
the best? Fifty planes last week, OLD OLD OLD planes. Terrible service and the worst transcend business class service I have ever experienced. Tiny little domestic first pitch compared to AA. I don't see one advantage of the Detla flying experience. I haven seen any more friendly employees than I see at AA
Delta's E+ is much better than AA or UA's E+ because it offers actual extra recline on international flights. That makes DL more like CX or AF than it is like the other US carriers. AA and UA are barely offering anything at all in E+, really.
Of course, the amount of space and lack of leg rests makes DL E+ much, much worse than CX or AF E+. But it's cheaper, too.
Not that...
Delta's E+ is much better than AA or UA's E+ because it offers actual extra recline on international flights. That makes DL more like CX or AF than it is like the other US carriers. AA and UA are barely offering anything at all in E+, really.
Of course, the amount of space and lack of leg rests makes DL E+ much, much worse than CX or AF E+. But it's cheaper, too.
Not that DL plans to make it harder to PMs to monopolize the E+ seats, they should be more available to paying customers. That should improve things for everyone -- except DL elites. But then, DL hates DL elites.
I am not a Delta flyer so am not familiar with how the old comfort+ upgrade system works, but I see the new program specifically mentions the US and Canada only (not Europe, Asia, or any other destinations) for this new upgrade process for comfort plus. Does this mean that Delta elites will no longer get comfort plus at all to Europe and Asia which I am assuming was previously offered or does this mean...
I am not a Delta flyer so am not familiar with how the old comfort+ upgrade system works, but I see the new program specifically mentions the US and Canada only (not Europe, Asia, or any other destinations) for this new upgrade process for comfort plus. Does this mean that Delta elites will no longer get comfort plus at all to Europe and Asia which I am assuming was previously offered or does this mean that this update only applies to the US and Canada and for all other destinations Elites can request the seats as they do today?
As a mid-level elite in a competitor's frequent flier program, I am trying to understand how this change may influence changes with my program in the future, since the big 3 us airlines have a monkey see monkey do attitude.
Thanks.
"They know how to maximize shareholder value, that’s for sure."
They know how to enhance short term revenue via increased marginal sales for seats on flights. But I think they are risking driving a measurable slice of premium fliers to become much more flexible about who the buy & fly.
If more and more of the premium benefits one got for pushing business to one brand goes away, well then doesn't that also mean your...
"They know how to maximize shareholder value, that’s for sure."
They know how to enhance short term revenue via increased marginal sales for seats on flights. But I think they are risking driving a measurable slice of premium fliers to become much more flexible about who the buy & fly.
If more and more of the premium benefits one got for pushing business to one brand goes away, well then doesn't that also mean your top revenue customers may book away from DL more often? Some may be hub captives, but many are not.
For example, DL may earn $100 x 10 extra revenue for 10 C+ seats sold that previously went to elite's travel companions. But if three DMs and PMs who used to buy $1,000 last-minute tickets on DL book another airline for the same flight, since the loyalty payoff is gone, DL is -$2,000 net for the flight. Yes these are pulled out of the air, but I think they illustrate tipping points that even DL management doesn't really know re: elite stickiness.
As the programs degrade, I can make an argument that I'm better off being mid-tier on two airlines than I would previously been being high tier on one. And that's a big potential longer-term hit to DL if others agree with me, in exchange for selling a few more C+ seats. Hmmmm.
This is the first time Delta will have a premium middle seat.
My concern is that if an upgrade to Comfort is activated but only middle seats are available in Comfort, I would automatically be reassigned to that center seat. But 100 times out of 100, I'd choose a Preferred Window than a Comfort Middle.
They need a "middle seat opt out" for upgrade requests.
Good, comprehensive article Ben. Thanks!
There has to be a better way to go about this. I don't mind separating the class of service but it seems to me that to successfully pull this off Delta has to eliminate the MD series (which I have to fly 90% of the time) completely and not charge the fare difference on the 717. There is just not enough difference in seats and service (and frankly the complementary drinks don't make up the...
There has to be a better way to go about this. I don't mind separating the class of service but it seems to me that to successfully pull this off Delta has to eliminate the MD series (which I have to fly 90% of the time) completely and not charge the fare difference on the 717. There is just not enough difference in seats and service (and frankly the complementary drinks don't make up the difference) on those equipment sets to validate the increased fare. I fly IAD-ATL all the time which are serviced almost exclusively by the MD-XX and are always completely full with standbys being turned away.
I think last year's change in status accrual and consequent complaints about lack of Medallion upgrades has reached the ears of corporate. This is Delta's attempt at quelling the discontented murmurs which I don't think will stop until Delta starts flying more routes with A-320s or 757s.
This is simply Delta's attempt to finally eradicate J upgrades for anyone on a Y fare. No ability to use SkyRubles for an award ticket or upgrade to FIrst class.
Coming Soon - no ability to upgrade from economy fares to Business class.
Way to reward your customers!
Maddening as it is, you are right that a DM traveling with a GM can get Comfort+ no sooner than 72 hours out. They are pretty clear about it in the second-to-last and third-to-last questions -- so if a DM flies with a non-elite, they effectively can't get Comfort+, and almost certainly wouldn't be able to get two seats together. This seems like it will be a disaster.
Don't forget that Virgin America has been doing this for years with Main Cabin Select!