Delta Cuts Elite Benefits For Alaska Airlines MVP Members

That’s it, it’s really time for Bravo to start a show called “The Real Airlines of Seattle,” and it deserves a prime time slot. Or maybe I just need to start a second blog, since there’s no other way to keep up with this drama.

Alaska and Delta have been engaged in a massive battle in Seattle for the past year or so, all while still having a really close partnership. It’s ironic, because they’re doing everything they can to run one another out of business in Seattle, but they still offer reciprocal elite and mileage benefits for the most part.

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I outlined the source of the saga last week:

It got serious in 2012 when Delta announced huge international expansion out of Seattle, which Alaska was justifiably excited about, since they were being tapped to provide the feed for that international service.

But it seems Delta had a bit of an epiphany, and said “hmm, why should we be outsourcing all this domestic flying to Alaska, when we could do it on our own?” So they’ve announced huge domestic expansion, and at this point are serving almost all of the major routes that Alaska does as well.

To get back at Delta a little bit, Alaska announced additional expansion in Salt Lake City, with additional nonstop service from Salt Lake City to four destinations, including Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose. Obviously they’re a much smaller airline so can’t “retaliate” nearly as much.

Meanwhile both airlines have been offering tons of promotions, and Delta is even offering Washington residents double redeemable and Medallion Qualifying Miles for flights out of Seattle for the remainder of the year.

Just a couple of days ago Alaska hilariously announced a promotion offering double miles for travel on British Airways between Seattle and London. This is the same week that Delta launched their nonstop service in the market, so clearly it was intended exclusively to piss off Delta.

As I said at the end of the post:

I think Alaska’s actions here can best be summed up by NeNe…

Your move, Delta!

And Delta has made their move. As of April 30, 2014, Delta will be greatly reducing elite benefits for MVP and MVP Gold members traveling on Delta.

MVP and MVP Gold 75K members will continue to receive the following benefits when traveling on Delta:

• 100% Elite Bonus Miles
• Zone 1 Priority Check-in and Boarding
• Preferred Seating
• Complimentary Upgrades within the United States (excluding Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, and select Caribbean destinations. Not available on nonstop flights between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle
• Checked Baggage Fee Waiver for First 2 Bags
  (for tickets purchased on or before April 30, 2014)

Meanwhile the following benefits will be discontinued as of May 1, 2014:

• Checked Baggage Fee Waiver for First 2 Bags
• Priority Baggage Handling
• Sky Priority® Check-in and Boarding
• Express Security Lines at Select Airports
• 50% Discount on International Economy Comfort™ Seating

MVP members will continue to receive the following benefits when traveling on Delta:

• 50% Elite Bonus Miles
• Zone 1 Priority Check-in and Boarding
• Preferred Seating
• Complimentary Upgrades within the United States (excluding Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, and select Caribbean destinations. Not available on nonstop flights between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle
• Checked Baggage Fee Waiver for First Bag
  (for tickets purchased on or before April 30, 2014)

Meanwhile the following benefits will be discontinued as of May 1, 2014:

• Checked Baggage Fee Waiver for First Bag
• Priority Baggage Handling
• 25% Discount on International Economy Comfort™ Seating

My understanding is that the Alaska and Delta partnership currently runs through 2015, and I think both carriers are too proud to end it. So it looks like we’ll get another year or so of complimentary entertainment out of this.

Your move, Alaska! 😉

BTW, anyone with some spare time want to make one of those animated YouTube videos summing up the saga between Alaska and Delta? Similar to the Gary vs. Lucky video that Delta Points made a couple of years ago? If anyone makes one I’ll be sure to post it!