Dishonest Delta

[+ Lucky]

In a timely article, the Wall Street Journal today takes a look at airline award redemption programs. Delta is not last, but second to last Only US Airways is worse:

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704247904575240401159208996.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_LeadStoryNA

[Romann]

Now that's pretty underhanded of Delta though they're not the only airline toying with frequent flier programs subsequently upsetting their core fliers.

 

The majority of my flights and miles are with American Airlines especially with DFW being their main hub. That said, I have been very pleased with their AAdvantage program especially with how miles are earned and rewarded. They too have a tier system of Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum (maybe one more that is escaping me) which offer different benefits. No matter what tier you're on, you still earn the same number of actual flight miles but if you're a Platinum and above, you earn double miles on a number of flight routes regardless of the time at which you depart and arrive. You're also permitted to pass through the First Class security line and board early which are also additional perks and are good business in my book. I tend to look for frequent flier programs that me mileage but also other perks that increase as I pass flight milestones throughout the year and receive additional bonus miles. Couple that with using the AAdvantage Business and Personal Credit Card, you get even more miles which never expire and are not subject to blackout dates.

 

It is my understanding that miles can be used at any time and in fact I've booked a ticket for a flight 12 hours before departure using miles and was awarded the ticket. Granted, it costs additional miles for booking so close to departure but I was fine with that and understood the business aspect of their action. American also has their OneWorld Alliance which has a host of partnerships in which you can select where your miles go to in the event you select a flight on a carrier that you would otherwise never use again or very rarely. I believe just a couple weeks ago American and JetBlue signed and sealed a deal to be partners and JetBlue will fill in the gaps with their inventory of smaller cities that they fly to where American has little to no coverage. If I heard correctly, when booking you can select which mileage account receives the credit. Someone please correct me if that is not right.

 

I have noticed that in general, almost all airline carriers have adjusted their mileage program so that it takes more actual miles to purchase most tickets. In many instances, mileage used is now determined by the time/length of the chosen flight which makes it more complicated when trying to determine if you have enough without going through all the motions of picking specific dates/times via phone or on-line. Though, the rules could have all changed and I'm not aware of it.

 

I'm often reminded that at any given time, frequent flier programs can be shut down and invalidated without cause or warning. Though, I think that is highly unlikely for the major carriers but what do I know...

 

Regarding SW Airlines... I have often found cheaper tickets with aa.com with noticeable differences in ticket prices ranging from 50 to 150 dollars for same departure and arrival time. I have personally found that the more cities you hit the better the discount if you were to do one round trip ticket. I take 3 to 4 flights a month an in general all the flights are very cheap booking at least one month out and no later than 2 weeks from departure time.

[Romann]

Delta is not last, but second to last Only US Airways is worse

 

I fondly call them US Scareways.

[KMEM]

When FF miles was first announced, many in the industry "knew" how things would progress and none of it would be beneficial for the traveler. A business cannot "give away" things without consequences, that means costs and ultimately probably bad results. After about 30 years, give or take, the hens are starting to come home to roost. Without redemption, those miles cost little, but they do have to be carried as contingent liabilities. And, they are, in more ways than one.

 

As has been said before, the airlines are the most cut throat industry around and, unfortunately, they will have to digest their meal of bad publicity over FF miles.

 

Remember, there is no first class any more; there is only a flying bus and even then it has a LOT of irregularities to include the time it takes to get on board (thanks TSA), the inclusion of baggage charges, the limitation of food and beverages, not only on board but also the lack of being able to carry such on board (except purchased at premium prices INSIDE the restricted area), etc.

 

Welcome to the loss of liberty as it exists in the USA today.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Michael Vincenzo]

Another pitfall of Delta Airlines in recent news:

 

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/whats-worse-than-lost-luggage-delta-loses-dog/19474452

[+ Gar1eth]

I just took a flight on Alaska Airlines in 1st class. The flight was about 3 hours and 45 minutes. The cabin was freezing. I asked for a blanket and was told they didn't have one. Last week on 1st class for American, there were blankets for us, but coach class had to buy them. I was thinking what a rip off. The majority of people are not going to pack a blanket they can get at inflight, so it's possible there will be many repeat blanket buying customers.

 

 

On another but related subject, I note the demise in all but name of Midwest Airlines. While it was unfortunately only a regional airline with limited destinations, I used it as often as I could during the late 90's when I lived in Wisconsin. The seats were large and only 2 across per side. Plus they served real food not to mention fresh baked cookies.

 

Gman

[+ ArVaGuy]

I just took a flight on Alaska Airlines in 1st class. The flight was about 3 hours and 45 minutes. The cabin was freezing. I asked for a blanket and was told they didn't have one. Last week on 1st class for American, there were blankets for us, but coach class had to buy them. I was thinking what a rip off. The majority of people are not going to pack a blanket they can get at inflight, so it's possible there will be many repeat blanket buying customers.

 

 

On another but related subject, I note the demise in all but name of Midwest Airlines. While it was unfortunately only a regional airline with limited destinations, I used it as often as I could during the late 90's when I lived in Wisconsin. The seats were large and only 2 across per side. Plus they served real food not to mention fresh baked cookies.

 

Gman

 

 

Gman, given how infrequently the airlines launder those blankets in coach I'm content to let them keep them. I will not pay for the privilege of being exposed to other people's germs. Like hotel bedspreads they are not laundered after every flight despite what people may assume. Ick.

 

Midwest Airlines was a great operation in the 1990s for sure and I had several great experiences on them back then traveling to underserved markets.

[KMEM]

Gman- Sorry you were cold. There is no first class on airlines.

 

AVG- What do you do with those bedspreads in hotel rooms to avoid touching them? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Best regards,

KMEM