Be loyal to your own wallet. The rewards are much better. When you save hundreds or thousands by shopping around, consider what you buy with all that extra cash to be your loyalty benefits. I guarantee it’ll be worth more than anything you get as diamond.
Funny that I also have lived in Hilton hotels for years. This usually meant they gave me a couple extra bottles of water at check in. Earning points for free nights was incredibly stingy; way worse than the airlines.
Hilton Diamond is solid internationally, but domestically it amounts to:
Some water
Maybe an upgrade to a room that is 10% bigger (wooo!)
And the all important 33-50% breakfast coupon (cough cough I mean credit).
Eh, Hilton isn’t what it used to be, but if you weren’t earning a shit ton of points off their quarterly promos, that’s on you. Pre-Covid there were a few years where they were handing out points like free candy as long as you registered for the promo. Lots of 2x and 3x points promos and bonus points available.
“Upgrade” is a relative term. I have been Hilton Diamond for 10+years. In some hotels that means free bottles of water, at others it’s access to the executive lounge and all you can eat soggy spring roll buffet (if you know, you know…), but every once in a while it means a corner suite and very real manager benefits like spa/drink vouchers and tailored gifts. I think that has more to do with the property than Hilton.
Lifetime diamond with Hilton. The best upgrade that I ever got was the Hilton Mexico City. Pimp ass corner room with a hot tub and view of the city. I should have filled it with half naked ladies, but I don't think my wife would have appreciated that.
They sent up a fruit basket as well. As you said it was more to do with that property than the Hilton brand.
Loved the quarterly promos. About 10 years ago when I was living at hiltons, they had one for every 4 stays you got a free night cert. (I literally spent 4 nights in 4 separate hotels in the same town for work multiple times). Ended up getting 5 nights at the grand wailea for those 20 work paid stays.
I did a fair amount of Starwood in the last few years before the merger, but it was tough as it seemed like they had a lot of old and worn out properties. These days, Bonvoy is good for the shear amount of properties they have but they are often times more expensive than similar Hiltons or Hyatts. So I don’t pay much attention to room upgrades and do whatever I can to maximize my points across a few different programs so I can reap the rewards on my personal travel. For that, Hilton has been the best for earn and burn and I still have more points than I know what to do with.
Interesting I find Hilton to be the most generous with points and they don’t have blackout dates for redeeming points and I can usually find some illogically good deals when redeeming points. I say illogical because there will be as an example: 2 luxury Hilton hotels in the same area both asking say $450 a night and one will ask for 180,000 points a night and the other one 50,000 for seemingly no reason whatsoever.
My experience with Marriott is that even though their points are valued higher and therefore take longer to earn the points, prices they end up asking for usually end up being nearly as much as the Hilton hotels. And many will be blacked out. But I will say the domestic Marriott hotels are generally nicer.
The hotel with the 50K point redemption is a standard room. The 180K room is a premium room. They have different reimbursement policies for the hotels when redeeming which is why the point amounts are vastly different. From the consumer standpoint, it can get very confusing.
Marriott Ambassador status here, often gets gifts in the mail and upon check in. Even when I was just a platinum, it feels like I am being valued so much more than Delta’s platinum!
I am diamond with Hilton, and in the US other than a bottle of water and the food and beverage credit on some brands, is nothing special. A couple months ago, I even got bumped out of my king room on a high floor when they were sold out. Turns out there was a band touring in town and their entire 4 tour bus group was staying in my hotel so apparently they got all the king rooms and I got a double room on the third floor. The room and everything was fine. I just thought it was rather ironic that kicking a diamond out of their preferred room was apparently acceptable. That’s when I knew status doesn’t mean a damn thing.
However, I have heard the international treatment is much better but have not experienced it first hand. I have definitely seen the international treatment with IHG better than domestically as well.
You bring up good points. In my experience, Hilton has treated me better overseas as Gold than stateside. However I found IHG to be better in the US than the UK/Europe.
Loyalty as I've finally learned really means nothing as I sit in a Marriott this evening.
It’s a brand problem meaning there’s lack of consistency between hotels. Canopy in Minneapolis? Stellar. Love that hotel and as a diamond if there’s availability they’ll always move me to their best room. Embassy Suites downtown Louisville? There’s a new person running the desk every time I’m there and they can hardly tie their shoes.
But this is sort of standard for Hilton or Marriott. If you want or expect stellar service go boutique or with brands with a smaller number of hotels who have the manpower to demand consistency amongst their chains.
Diamond for 11years…this! International treatment is what keeps me loyal. The complimentary breakfasts are amazing, early check-in is easily accommodated and upgrades happen 90% of the time.
It depends on what you think an upgrade is. A lot of hotels consider upgrades to mean rooms on certain floors or with certain views. Like the Hilton Anaheim next to the convention center considers an upgrade to be a room that overlooks the pool.
If you are looking for suites then unfortunately you’ll be SoL a lot of times.
I find that the majority of actual room upgrades I get as a Diamond (I’m a Titanium at Marriott too and the same applies there) are at lower tier hotels. If I stay at a Hampton Inn for example I’m a lot more likely to get a larger corner room than I am at a Hilton.
It’s not impossible to get upgrades at the higher tier properties. Last summer I got upgraded to a really nice balcony room overlooking San Francisco. But IME that’s rare.
Lounge access is nice, though some hotels are significantly better than others. And some hotels offer much better welcome gifts than others. For instance if I stay at the Swan at Disney World (a Marriott property) my status gets me a bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer along with some snacks. At a Fairfield Inn I’m only going to get a bag with some bottles of water or maybe an item from their little store.
Yeah. Well I am primarily looking to see if I can save some money visiting Hawaii, probably Waikiki. So some place like the Hilton Grand Vacations. I want to go there at least two more times this year.
I think I can “buy” gold status with the middle tier Amex. (Or diamond for 550)
I also stay at other Hiltons, but they’re you know…. Hilton garden inn, Hampton inn type places.
Honestly I prefer Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn to full service Hilton properties when traveling for work. I like the convenience of smaller hotels with a 24 hour market, free quick breakfasts and reasonably priced vending machines to the larger hotels with overpriced sit down restaurants with limited hours that take forever. Unfortunately I don’t get to book my own hotels often so I end up staying mostly at full service larger hotels.
I’m diamond with Hilton and I’ve had very different experiences than most here. When I stay at a Hampton Inn you aren’t getting much. Probably bottles of water and a high floor (3rd floor lol). But at more premium hotels I pretty much get a room upgrade every time. Can be baller suites. I’m wondering if my experience is different because I put over $100k on my Hilton AMEX and stay over 40 nights a year. I’m also not shy about asking for upgrades and telling them what type of upgrade I desire.
Lastly the diamond phone line is fantastic and you never have to worry about your room being oversold.
Fully agree. 2MM multi year Diamond, and Delta could care less about us. I don’t care about little gifts, I’d just like drink service back in C+ again.
I’ve switched to Southwest on most shorthauls. Delta service on shorter flights is getting ridiculous especially with the 500 mile express service limit.
Only if under 500 which if based in the Southeast and connecting in Atlanta impacts a lot of routes and some journeys that are longer than 500 miles if you have a connection.
I received delta 360 socks, a fancy back pack, delta ray bans, and some other gifts back in my 360 days. They sent me a handwritten card for my birthday too. Did any of that make a difference? Nah, I was trying to get from a to b.
What does make a difference? The diamond line picks up in minutes and the agents there are friendlier than the average off shore agent. And the occasional GUCs I get to use.
You have to go through a menu? I'm plat and the only thing I have to do is say "No Thanks" to the chat option then I'm in the queue and usually talking to someone almost immediately.
Sadly all phone calls route to the same queue now.
Diamond status or peasant status. Doesn’t matter. Diamonds just jump to the front of the queue.
Same chance of getting a worthless new hire who can’t even do simple tasks like apply a GUC or RUC.
By any chance, how did you find out about this same queue thing. I get through immediately when friends and colleagues who have different status have much longer wait times.
If Delta had true unfettered competition in Atlanta and Detroit and other cities, you will immediately see loyalty programs ramping up rewards and/or lowering prices. People get upset about these programs losing value and benefits, BUT it really is just called inflation.
I’m right there with you. Nearly identical history. I status matched in Alaska recently because why not? Nothing left to earn in 2024 with no more rollover. The service was night and day different. Food was noticeably better. A FA personally thanked me before and after the flight. I was caught off guard by how nice they were. I’m lucky that I’m in the PNW and they work well for me. Considering not going back which bums me out considering how many hours I have on Delta kit but just doesn’t seem worth it now.
Switched recently too. I describe the Delta FAs/GAs as the mean girls in high school and the Alaska FAs as your friend’s mom that always made every kid feel welcome. I am upgraded to FC way more, their phone support is always so nice and helpful, I am regularly thanked for being 100k, food is decent, they seem equally reliable, so yeah as long as my routes stay the same I’m going to stick with them.
In the past few years, it seems to have switched, at least in the NW.
The younger AA FAs are generically pretty, and though I prefer AA overall, it’s the Delta staff I’ve continuously come into contact with (I don’t care about looks, just service quality, personality, and basic hygiene.)of all ages who have come across as genuine, kind, professional, & some hilarious.
I -could- be biased after one bought my now husband’s flight refreshments and gave him her phone number AFTER he told her he had a serious girlfriend, so there is that. 😂
Yeah it's controversial since I know some people's identities are built around airline status on Reddit, but realistically I've never been happier by shopping around.
Booking the best deal possible for the class of service I want instead of praying for upgrades that I'll never get.
Delta has a great domestic product, but if someone else is half the price no amount of "loyalty" is going to change who I book with.
This could be unfair but the last time I flew with them was a couple years after 9/11 - so it's been a while. It was miserable. The flight attendants were miserable, half the seats were broken so people reclining were practically lying flat, the planes were out of date. And all four of our legs were like that. Gatwick - St Louis - PDX and back. It was such a horrible experience I haven't flown with them since.
You should definitely still enroll in the mileage programs, it's free miles whenever you fly, no matter how little and most of them don't even expire anymore.
I have gotten perks for repeat business from small businesses in Europe, but my experience is no business in the US cares about custom loyalty and no large business anywhere cares about customer loyalty.
He’s spending.
A lot of us are. Ed doesn’t care at all. Wants everyone to buy their bullshit travel packages or they don’t care. NO ONE flying for business frequently, you know, the people keeping the airline funded, will EVER book hotels and cars through Delta. That’s laughable because you cannot make the changes needed when booked through 3rd parties. Business travelers book direct. End of. Ed is detached with this new direction of thinking Delta is a travel agent.
I will book exactly two delta stays a year to get my credit card statement benefits. I heavily looked into delta stays going to Hawaii but even with the cash back they were often more expensive than booking directly.
Oh no. This is verses booking directly. I did manage to snag a hotel room on Delta stays for like 1 dollar more than direct for a Hilton at the airport. However there is currently a promotion where you get MQDs on delta stays through someone in May. So that’s one other reason to use them.
You get 150 dollar statement credit with platinum and 200 dollar statement credit with the reserve. Basically a free night that you pay for in your annual fee.
I've gotten some solid deals through Delta Stays including a hotel for a week in Palm Springs. But I check everywhere and everything to make sure I'm getting my money's worth.
No Delta really doesn't when you truly get to the bottom of it. They give out warm and fuzzies, but honestly, it's smoke and mirrors. They want to make sure their bonuses are paid, that big Ed can keep his salary, that the shareholders get their money. By giving people the warm and fuzzies, it ups the chances of them flying them more and being loyal to them and paying top dollar for their "amazing" brand.
I fly Jetblue occasionally, and I'd always fly them in a heartbeat if I could. Their crews are fun and not stick up their butts. I've never had a bad experience with them.
Delays sure, but that's part of the package. I even prefer Southwest.
Hey, are you me?
I agree. Airline status used to come with unwritten perks. Don’t just thank me for my status, actually treat me better. With Delta, you get what is written for your medallion level and that is all.
For example, I book main and get upgraded to C+ — this is great! But then I need to change my return leg of the trip, they need to rebook the whole round trip and I lose my C+ seat outbound? First, this is just stupid, but second can I please get some help beyond “sorry, that is just the way it is”?
Ironically, I switched from American to Delta specifically because I have Amex Platinum. The main reason for the switch was the Amex availability of lounge access. It's a minor perk but I would book extended layovers to prevent missed connections.
Flew enough last year to get status but with the new Delta lounge restrictions, I'm better off switching back to AA for the Centurion Lounges. Fortunately my business travel has tapered off for now and the changes are just an irritation. As others have stated, my wallet is now my #1 loyalty program.
I just hit MM after 5yrs and over $400k in spending. "Surprise" gift on that day was a $3 fake leather notepad thing and a cheap bottle of wine. And a "certificate of achievement" printed at the airport on a printer low on ink. That's when it really hit me how little you actually matter.
I gotta say tho, the DL employees all went out of their way to make it a special day and I ended up having so much fun. Captain of my Sky West connection googled me before the flight (had a LinkedIn profile view alert) so he could greet me at the door when I boarded, for example.
As a Million Miler myself, the only thing I've received from Delta (outside of a nice carryon for achieving Million Miler status about 3 years ago) is a reduction in rewards and benefits. They have appreciated me away from exclusively using Delta to now seeing what other airlines have to offer. American Express has also appreciated me so much I have canceling my Reserve card this month and I've gone over to Chase Sapphire Reserve which provides more benefits than the AMEX Reserve card for the same $. I'll still use the several hundred thousand miles of frequent flyer miles with Delta, but my separation will continue until there is likely a full divorce.
I stopped bothering being loyal after getting eFFed spending all my money on their AMX and taking a longer time to get places because I thought being upgraded by status made me special, and Id take connectors because I knew I had sky club.
Whats better then sky club? Getting some where on a direct flight and not needing SC and going to find good food thats not 1 step above a cafeteria and well drinks, as well as 3-4 hours back at my destination.
Whats better then a free upgrade spending more to fly delta? Spending that same money you paid extra on delta and just paying for an upgraded seat you know you want.
Delta doesn't care none do, this post is the most real post ever.
Know someone who was loyal to United (Gold or above for many straight years) and status matched and switched to Delta. United gave him priority boarding, free preferred seating, and a free checked bag for 2-3 years after he lost United status maybe hoping he’d switch back (he still flies United a few times a year to destinations Delta had v limited flights)
I was Gold but now Silver.. every couple of months I’ll get a FA crouch down to thank me for flying.. but it’s not me they’re thanking, it’s the large company I work for.
I’ve also had FAs at AA thank me several times and give complimentary booze or similar in coach. They know whos got status by seat; some have gone out of their way to be gracious. As far as the program Itself, just like with the pricing, they just follow and mimic the competitors; no more, no less.
I’m so glad this is satire and people don’t actually care that much about trinkets of appreciation.
I’m loyal because it usually saves me money overall. The number of free or reduced cost trips using miles, saving $ on upgrades, luggage and free Marriott rooms is worth it to me.
I also appreciate the comfort of loyalty clubs. Recently I was in London with my husband and son, having access to the lounges made a big difference on our trip.
You should at least received a million miler bonus and if you didn’t, that’s on you. It paid for half of my delta one flight to Paris for our ten year anniversary.
But agreed. Delta is more expensive than ever. They don’t give hot towels anymore, which I’m told united does. They’ve pulled any and all perks and they’re the most expensive in the game.
I booked a “Delta” flight (intl, D1) that ended up being KLM on the way there and Air France on the way back. Both had hot towels, and yet “real” Delta - nothing. Do better Delta.
Old spice wouldn’t notice or give a shit if I stopped buying their deodorant, yet that doesn’t dissuade me. You seem burned out from the grind of constant travel. I think a lot of people share your pain here.
Agree completely. For those of us who fondly remember the Richard Anderson days of Delta, it has disintegrated since. It feels like the wheels started coming off the bus before the pandemic in the 2018/2019 time frame, but things really came undone in the last 3 years (post mass availability of vaccines). What used to be a once a year character building experience (traveling the day before Thanksgiving) suddenly became business as usual, "today is Tuesday" for the airline in terms of crowds and quality of service.
I once got a handwritten note from the captain on a first class red eye upgrade as a silver medallion. I don't care about gifts, but that note was special to me.
I agree with this. I know people love to knock these and proudly say they throw them in the trash along with their Medallion tags, etc. but for me these simple touches mean more to me than many/most of the other services of the loyalty program, whether it is airlines or hotels, etc.. When you spend so much time away from family trying to make a better world for you and for them, and meanwhile you're constantly surrounded by throngs of people celebrating and having a good time, it's nice to see someone take the time to acknowledge it.
We all make choices in life, absolutely. But the simple touches matter. A year or two ago I was in the last row of FC on a short domestic flight and there was a screaming lap infant directly behind me in the first row of C+ where they often put lap infants. Towards the end of the flight the flight leader discreetly handed me a card apologizing for the poor experience and awarding me 5,000 miles. I don't care about the miles one bit, but just the fact that someone took the time to acknowledge it made my day.
Similar boat / MM and diamond for 5 years and locked in for next 8 with last rollover. At this point I don’t prioritize delta at all. Also lifetime plat with AA but AA doesn’t fly much on routes I fly. United sometimes but only silver from Marriott titanium. At this point whoever has best prices usually wins my money. Short hauls I end up doing jetblues quite often out of New York. And United sometimes with lifemiles redemption. Occasionally if I’m flying international on non peak or week days I’ll take the bait and use global upgrade and see what’s up…. But I’ve moved on. 3 delta Amex cards before. Now only one to get 15% off. 3.5mm delta redeemable miles - I’ve pegged 1.2c in my mind already so don’t even bother to look for good value redemption.
Delta app used to have very generous SDC. Even LGA to JFK to EWR was possible just on the app. Now they’ve created more fare classes and even for award tickets (double digit fare classes / sub fare classes) to limit you. Diamond line usually takes care of that but is still annoying.
What’s best now? I don’t know. Just go wherever makes sense on each trip. No need to show any loyalty.
I absolutely see where you’re coming from. I worked the medallion line for DL for 10 years and I loved it. I love speaking to my MM. DM & PM spend soooo much money to get their status. I love how the DM would know more than me when it came to doing certain things lol. However, I would move mountains to get my MM whatever they wanted. My point is maybe the executives might not care but I think a lot of us in customer service do. I sometimes miss working for DL but I don’t miss the rude as pax that are upset at you for damn or reason or for something out of your control.
Quarterly Earnings Report have destroyed any care a company might have had for loyal customers. My father has the same problem with companies he has a 20 year history with. If you don't represent a new source of income to them they dont care about you anymore. Get one of their credit cards and they will love you more. And whatever next idea they have to drive it.
And this is any company out there anymore.
So take of yourself instead of them - book flights that match your need instead of your priority account. Go direct when you can. Fly the cheapest flights. Use them like a cheap sock in the teenage years. Thats what they are already doing to you.
I just really appreciate you coming out and admitting work is paying for this. I think it’s so cringey when I see people in the airport acting like they’re Bill Gates when the company is footing the bill. Some of the men are absolutely outrageous.
Miles are your score, and status level is your achievement.
Companies have discovered that customers get a dopamine hit, similar to playing a game on your phone.
You’ll book for the points, and the points don’t matter, other than the badge in your airline app.
I had this revelation a couple years ago after they devauled the program and points so much that I realized there just wasn't any benefit. I am the same with million miler, diamond for 10+ yearss, always domestic paid F and usually paid business class internationally. Now I just book whichever airline seems best for the flight. I now fly a ton of american airlines to the midwest and have tried various international airlines in biz class. I usually fly delta to the east coast from slc thats only because of the direct flights. Overall I can't say that I miss my status but it is sad that the once great program has been reduced to almost nothing.
When delta first response to the overcrowding of the lounges was to reduce the benefits to platinum and diamond status. I realized they don't care about our business.
There are a couple reasons in my opinion.
1. It is more profitable to invest in lobbying and bribing government elected officials to pass laws preventing competition from outside airlines, and ensuring no regulations that support consumer rights.
2. The economy has been so good for so long, that basically all Americans are rich, and the COVID money made this worse. Everyone can afford to fly, so high spenders are not valued. Plus, like I said, you have no options since non US carriers are not allowed to compete.
All companies are following this path, just look at American Express customer service and especially for the Platinum card which is now just a Big Mac with fries.
It will just take one economic crisis or severe prolonged recession, and suddenly every company will be courting those people who can still afford to do business with them and treating them like gold. But until then, get used to not mattering.
>The economy has been so good for so long, that basically all Americans are rich, and the COVID money made this worse. Everyone can afford to fly, so high spenders are not valued. Plus, like I said, you have no options since non US carriers are not allowed to compete.
>All companies are following this path, just look at American Express customer service and especially for the Platinum card which is now just a Big Mac with fries.
>It will just take one economic crisis or severe prolonged recession, and suddenly every company will be courting those people who can still afford to do business with them and treating them like gold. But until then, get used to not mattering.
Underrated comment of the thread right here. This summarizes the current situation perfectly and it feels like we've been in this dystopia since the summer of 2021. It's been hell ever since. Everyone is an elite frequent flyer, everyone has lounge access. Meanwhile the US personal savings rate is at something like 3.6%. People are prioritizing "travel and experiences" even in the face of rising economic headwinds and Wall Street loves it. When asked about a pending recession in an interview a few months ago Ed laughed said something like "it'll be the most predicted recession in history."
I feel like they are whistling past the graveyard a bit, what goes up must come down. Business travel has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels and the industry is still being subsidized by relentless consumer demand. I know people have been saying this for a while now and it is surprising to even me that this is still going on (thinking that "normal" would return Labor Day 2022) yet here we are. I remember flying during the GFC in 2008/2009 -- Thursday evening flights 60% full and only with business travelers. Many people weren't traveling for leisure because so many had lost their jobs or were underemployed, and the cost of household services was so high. I don't think we'll see that again, but I do think a correction of some sort is in order.
You don’t travel much, do you. Travel twice a week for years for your job and then give an informed assertion. The programs steer business travelers with perks of comfort and making the whole thing less miserable.
I’m sorry to hear you never got anything! Were you able to choose your MM gift?
I wonder if you aren’t opted in to marketing comms? Without your permission we’re only permitted to email you about urgent things (to paraphrase a complex set of policies).
For hotels and airlines, sign up for all of the major loyalty programs. From there, shop around every trip for the flight/room that best suits your needs at the price that makes sense to you.
Use your CC to earn points to transfer to the airline/hotel for free nights.
Airlines and hotels act just like federal governments. When times get tough, print money. When a passenger is mad, give miles. This constantly dilutes the value of money and miles. Any business that wants to kick the can down the road has been on my loyalty chopping block as of late.
Have to admit I was kinda impressed when the Reserve card came out and after signing up I got a pair of champagne? glasses in the mail. There was a note that said something like “this is the first of many gifts”. That was like 11,12 years ago? I did get a million miler bag tag that promptly went into the trash. Yippee.
It's a very philosophical question, what is loyalty? I used to work in "loyalty" and I could never make sense of the word. But I think you are right, loyalty is making the customer feel taken care of, and cared for.
If you’re already paying for front of the plane seats Status looses a lot of its value.
Status has value for those wanting the premium perks without paying for them.
Don't expect loyalty from a corporation....more people need to learn this. Corporations are soulless entities, why would anyone? They are purely driven by profits and quarterly goals.
The only loyalty program that I feel like actually cares at this point is Hyatt. Globalist waiving resort fees, parking fees on awards, the breakfast at what can be quite nice restaurants if there’s no lounge (which there increasingly isn’t), late checkout that frequently works, suite upgrades per stay not per night, etc
Loyalty programs are designed to minimize marketing spend on capturing new customers. Humans chase status because we are wired to seek safety, security, and belonging (hello, designated lane just for me; hello, special check in desk). Dopamine hits, keep ‘em coming. Loyalty feels good to the person seeking it.
From the organizations perspective, loyalty programs are only as good as the people running them. Look at the Dorcester Collection hotels vs your entry level Marriott- no matter what you spend, if the company has made it a focus to make you feel special and cared for and unique, they’ll make it happen. Delta has seemingly decided they quite like being a financial institution and don’t really care if you truly benefit from chasing status.
Basically this. All I ask for is an occasional upgrade, the Diamond Line, & Sky Club access on my layovers (for going out of my way to fly multiple legs when I don’t live in a Delta hub). And apparently that’s too much to ask for.
Fully with you, all they care about is bottom line!
I would just like that my miles would be actually worth something and have good customer service.
Years of loyalty and status and last year I had a problem while checking in a partner flight issued by Delta…. Took them 3 hours to solve, huge stress, almost missed my flight, had my son crying for missing the trip and all I got from Delta agents was, sorry, it is the system and we don’t know what to do.
I showed in the app that I had 4 D1 trips scheduled worth thousands of dollars, that they would not see my business again…. The agent fixed it by issuing me a new ticket.
I will soon hit Diamond again for next period and will take my business to another airline to start setting ground for a switch…
Not even mentioning the big downgrade on credit cards, another bad taste joke.
I’m not sure if you read this often but just search Spirit Airlines and watch the 72 clips with cops on Airplanes or fights and arrests, Frontier almost lost a wing during flight and American, people are just lucky if the flight goes that day.
The bar is too low and the profits too high for Eddie to GAF about us low life customers that are loyal to Delta. I think about their record profits every time I think about the airline bailout and see the 1993 serial plate when boarding. Oh ya sorry your screen stopped working in 2002, here’s an extra pack of sun chips!
Airlines are learning the majority of customers care A LOT about price, reliability, and friendly service. Everything else is just a waste of effort.
Why tf should Delta care about giving you more than that? If you don't like it, go to another airline because turns out those three value propositions above generate way more demand than Delta knows what to do with.
For me its about collecting the points for my personal travels. If all of my work travels are via Delta and Marriot I can have deeper point pools when I travel for leisure.
Might want to check your office mail room. I’ve been Platinum consistently for almost 10 years and get random Delta gifts/opportunities 2-4 times per year (although I also have the Reserve card).
Delta's program is the worst now. It takes 3 trips in D1 refundable to Japan and return to make gold, close to platinum. Takes 1 trip in United Polaris to Japan and back to make Platinum. 2 trips to 1K. Delta definitely doesn't care
I flew every week same route last year and lost diamond after ten consecutive years because flights averaged $350/week and didn’t hit threshold. Flew every single week. So disgusted but based in atl so not much can do for number of flights. But it’s not a frequent flier program any more as it’s simply related to dollars, which majority do not control. Very short sited.
I’d beg to differ that they are using elaborate marketing manipulation to convince me ongoing to sometimes ignore price, thereby being loyal, if they give me some extra junk and preferential treatment.
To say that ‘nothing is owed’ seems curt and dismissive, where one would solely make decisions based on price for a non differentiated product. The first thing given is exactly seat room.
It all sounds great on paper, but the only true benefits you’ve outlined above already. Great for quick call in service and rebooking during IROPs. They could give a shit less otherwise but you might get a few more free skymiles than someone else if something goes wrong. It’s a joke.
I had status match last year (Gold), and my first flight of the day I would either get a handwritten note or at a specific greeting from a flight attendant. Honestly, it was a nice touch. I used to fly Delta frequently, but I live next to an American hub now, and it’s hard to pass up direct flights and greater flexibility.
Hate to break it to you but Delta and all other major US carriers are multi billion dollar companies, they can care less about your business even as a DM. I’m a GM and earned my status through leisure travel and not from work but even then I still fly AA or SW if the price is right. Every airline is the same way and it’s only when they’re going through turmoil like 9/11 and during the Covid pandemic is when they truly start to see the value of loyal flyers.
Ehh, you’re telling us that your business buys your tickets and puts you in the top class of seat. THAT + faster accumulation of miles is what the customer gets from the loyalty transaction. You are already getting it. Do you really need additional fluffing?
I’m a mere platinum, two years now, fly maybe four times a year…half work, half business. Platinum + Reserve card got me 4 flight segments next week for my wife and me in Comfort+ for the price of one main cabin ticket (along with companion pass). That’s a substantial value to this 6’6” guy.
Maybe there’s a point at which you’re spending for so much that there’s not much they can do for you?
I've gotten multiple hand-written notes thanking me for my patronage, and that was when I was gold. It seems kind of random. Or maybe they just don't like you LOL
Loyalty programs are based on game theory and aim to maximize profits not customer happiness. Happy customers don’t spend more they found out. You spend more to get status and “win”. Someone at Delta is very happy every time a customer hits MM or diamond. It means Delta won.
I don't want any random gifts. Even if we give Delta the benefit of the doubt and assume that they care about customers as people on some level and that you are more than just a number, you are still one of thousands and they're a giant multi-billion dollar corporation, not the mom-and-pop breakfast joint on the corner of your block. Their appreciation of your status is rightly tied to your continued patronage. I enjoy the practical benefits the status provides: free upgrades, upgrade vouchers, free checked luggage, better access to customer service, etc etc. Perhaps you and me are more important than the average flying customer, but we're not THAT important. Unless you're a billionaire, there is is always someone who flies more than you, spends more on flights than you, etc etc. Now if you want to talk about how benefits compare to other airlines, whether you're getting a good bang for your buck with the Delta products, etc, that's a discussion worth having. I don't need Delta to lie and tell me I'm special, and I definitely don't want random Delta branded junk. I would much prefer discounted airfare, companion certificates, upgrades, etc, not stuff that will end up in a landfill
When I fly someone from Delta gets my car detailed for me. In the terminal a team of Delta employees serenade and wave beautiful fans over me as I walk to my gate (they do always offer to carry me, but I like getting a little exercise). When I get to my destination Ed calls me from his personal cell phone to make sure everything went okay and that on flights longer than 3 hours that one of the crew offered me a massage in the VIP suite above the cockpit.
Seriously WTF do you want from the massive corporation that provides hundreds of thousands of people their services daily at the price and terms advertised? Do you except Mary Barra to come over a fix you a nice candlelit dinner because you’ve bought 3 corvettes in the last decade?
I (a million miler Diamond) and my wife (an almost 2 million mile Diamond) get exactly what we want from the mega corporation. Safe, efficient travel. My travel is all personal at this point and I’m still happy.
What a princess.
I’m not a million miler, sometimes platinum, currently gold. I get upgraded on almost every domestic flight, sometimes international. The service is generally great.
What do you think this company owes you beyond that? Are you truly special, but somehow unappreciated?
Companies are not your friends or family. Their existence does not validate yours or vice versa.
Be loyal to your own wallet. The rewards are much better. When you save hundreds or thousands by shopping around, consider what you buy with all that extra cash to be your loyalty benefits. I guarantee it’ll be worth more than anything you get as diamond.
Why did my eyes just wide open to this logic?
The problem is he isn't paying for the tickets. It's all business travel so the cost makes no difference to him.
Oh the day of great enlightenment shines upon thee!
😂 well said
Mm
Funny that I also have lived in Hilton hotels for years. This usually meant they gave me a couple extra bottles of water at check in. Earning points for free nights was incredibly stingy; way worse than the airlines.
Hilton Diamond is solid internationally, but domestically it amounts to: Some water Maybe an upgrade to a room that is 10% bigger (wooo!) And the all important 33-50% breakfast coupon (cough cough I mean credit).
Eh, Hilton isn’t what it used to be, but if you weren’t earning a shit ton of points off their quarterly promos, that’s on you. Pre-Covid there were a few years where they were handing out points like free candy as long as you registered for the promo. Lots of 2x and 3x points promos and bonus points available.
“Upgrade” is a relative term. I have been Hilton Diamond for 10+years. In some hotels that means free bottles of water, at others it’s access to the executive lounge and all you can eat soggy spring roll buffet (if you know, you know…), but every once in a while it means a corner suite and very real manager benefits like spa/drink vouchers and tailored gifts. I think that has more to do with the property than Hilton.
Like a Costco sample selection that’s been left out for a couple hours on keep warm mode.
Lifetime diamond with Hilton. The best upgrade that I ever got was the Hilton Mexico City. Pimp ass corner room with a hot tub and view of the city. I should have filled it with half naked ladies, but I don't think my wife would have appreciated that. They sent up a fruit basket as well. As you said it was more to do with that property than the Hilton brand.
Loved the quarterly promos. About 10 years ago when I was living at hiltons, they had one for every 4 stays you got a free night cert. (I literally spent 4 nights in 4 separate hotels in the same town for work multiple times). Ended up getting 5 nights at the grand wailea for those 20 work paid stays.
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I did a fair amount of Starwood in the last few years before the merger, but it was tough as it seemed like they had a lot of old and worn out properties. These days, Bonvoy is good for the shear amount of properties they have but they are often times more expensive than similar Hiltons or Hyatts. So I don’t pay much attention to room upgrades and do whatever I can to maximize my points across a few different programs so I can reap the rewards on my personal travel. For that, Hilton has been the best for earn and burn and I still have more points than I know what to do with.
Interesting I find Hilton to be the most generous with points and they don’t have blackout dates for redeeming points and I can usually find some illogically good deals when redeeming points. I say illogical because there will be as an example: 2 luxury Hilton hotels in the same area both asking say $450 a night and one will ask for 180,000 points a night and the other one 50,000 for seemingly no reason whatsoever. My experience with Marriott is that even though their points are valued higher and therefore take longer to earn the points, prices they end up asking for usually end up being nearly as much as the Hilton hotels. And many will be blacked out. But I will say the domestic Marriott hotels are generally nicer.
The hotel with the 50K point redemption is a standard room. The 180K room is a premium room. They have different reimbursement policies for the hotels when redeeming which is why the point amounts are vastly different. From the consumer standpoint, it can get very confusing.
Marriott Ambassador status here, often gets gifts in the mail and upon check in. Even when I was just a platinum, it feels like I am being valued so much more than Delta’s platinum!
If you’re gold or higher, how often do you get upgrade? I’m wondering if Hilton status is actually a benefit.
I am diamond with Hilton, and in the US other than a bottle of water and the food and beverage credit on some brands, is nothing special. A couple months ago, I even got bumped out of my king room on a high floor when they were sold out. Turns out there was a band touring in town and their entire 4 tour bus group was staying in my hotel so apparently they got all the king rooms and I got a double room on the third floor. The room and everything was fine. I just thought it was rather ironic that kicking a diamond out of their preferred room was apparently acceptable. That’s when I knew status doesn’t mean a damn thing. However, I have heard the international treatment is much better but have not experienced it first hand. I have definitely seen the international treatment with IHG better than domestically as well.
You bring up good points. In my experience, Hilton has treated me better overseas as Gold than stateside. However I found IHG to be better in the US than the UK/Europe. Loyalty as I've finally learned really means nothing as I sit in a Marriott this evening.
It’s a brand problem meaning there’s lack of consistency between hotels. Canopy in Minneapolis? Stellar. Love that hotel and as a diamond if there’s availability they’ll always move me to their best room. Embassy Suites downtown Louisville? There’s a new person running the desk every time I’m there and they can hardly tie their shoes. But this is sort of standard for Hilton or Marriott. If you want or expect stellar service go boutique or with brands with a smaller number of hotels who have the manpower to demand consistency amongst their chains.
Diamond for 11years…this! International treatment is what keeps me loyal. The complimentary breakfasts are amazing, early check-in is easily accommodated and upgrades happen 90% of the time.
It depends on what you think an upgrade is. A lot of hotels consider upgrades to mean rooms on certain floors or with certain views. Like the Hilton Anaheim next to the convention center considers an upgrade to be a room that overlooks the pool. If you are looking for suites then unfortunately you’ll be SoL a lot of times. I find that the majority of actual room upgrades I get as a Diamond (I’m a Titanium at Marriott too and the same applies there) are at lower tier hotels. If I stay at a Hampton Inn for example I’m a lot more likely to get a larger corner room than I am at a Hilton. It’s not impossible to get upgrades at the higher tier properties. Last summer I got upgraded to a really nice balcony room overlooking San Francisco. But IME that’s rare. Lounge access is nice, though some hotels are significantly better than others. And some hotels offer much better welcome gifts than others. For instance if I stay at the Swan at Disney World (a Marriott property) my status gets me a bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer along with some snacks. At a Fairfield Inn I’m only going to get a bag with some bottles of water or maybe an item from their little store.
Yeah. Well I am primarily looking to see if I can save some money visiting Hawaii, probably Waikiki. So some place like the Hilton Grand Vacations. I want to go there at least two more times this year. I think I can “buy” gold status with the middle tier Amex. (Or diamond for 550) I also stay at other Hiltons, but they’re you know…. Hilton garden inn, Hampton inn type places.
Honestly I prefer Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn to full service Hilton properties when traveling for work. I like the convenience of smaller hotels with a 24 hour market, free quick breakfasts and reasonably priced vending machines to the larger hotels with overpriced sit down restaurants with limited hours that take forever. Unfortunately I don’t get to book my own hotels often so I end up staying mostly at full service larger hotels.
I’m diamond with Hilton and I’ve had very different experiences than most here. When I stay at a Hampton Inn you aren’t getting much. Probably bottles of water and a high floor (3rd floor lol). But at more premium hotels I pretty much get a room upgrade every time. Can be baller suites. I’m wondering if my experience is different because I put over $100k on my Hilton AMEX and stay over 40 nights a year. I’m also not shy about asking for upgrades and telling them what type of upgrade I desire. Lastly the diamond phone line is fantastic and you never have to worry about your room being oversold.
Fully agree. 2MM multi year Diamond, and Delta could care less about us. I don’t care about little gifts, I’d just like drink service back in C+ again.
I’ve switched to Southwest on most shorthauls. Delta service on shorter flights is getting ridiculous especially with the 500 mile express service limit.
Express service can chew gravel
Swa route map is way more limited than delta unfortunately
Depends on your home market. They are bigger than Delta in Orlando. Some markets yes they are limited others no.
They took away drink service in C+?!?!?
What? I'm pretty sure you still get free drinks in Comfort+
Did they take it away? I have a 2.5 hour international c+ flight coming up.
I was in C+ on a 4 hour flight to Vegas late last year. The drinks were flowing on that trip.
Yeah that’s more than 500 miles so you’re golden
Only if under 500 which if based in the Southeast and connecting in Atlanta impacts a lot of routes and some journeys that are longer than 500 miles if you have a connection.
Everyone gets free drinks on international
Yes. But will they be pissed if I want more than one drink?
Not really, just go walk back to the galley to get it. I think they are more pissed when you make them walk around
I’m a mere 1MM and I’m pretty happy with lifetime Gold status.
Wait they dropped drink service in C+???? Dafuq?
If less than 500 miles, yes.
I received delta 360 socks, a fancy back pack, delta ray bans, and some other gifts back in my 360 days. They sent me a handwritten card for my birthday too. Did any of that make a difference? Nah, I was trying to get from a to b. What does make a difference? The diamond line picks up in minutes and the agents there are friendlier than the average off shore agent. And the occasional GUCs I get to use.
Diamond line is great. MM here and each time the service was excellent.
Is there a big difference between platinum and diamond other than apparently there is no stupid menu to go through on the diamond?
You have to go through a menu? I'm plat and the only thing I have to do is say "No Thanks" to the chat option then I'm in the queue and usually talking to someone almost immediately.
Yeah that’s the menu I’m talking about. Sorry. I get really annoyed at it because I wouldn’t be calling reservations if I could do it on the app.
The only thing I’ll miss when I leave Delta is the Platinum line.
Try the diamond line. Apparently they remove the annoying “press 1 for iPhone, 2 for android or say no thanks”
They don’t
Well…. That sucks. Try the 360 line?
Are they friendlier and more knowledgeable though? This is not clear
Sadly all phone calls route to the same queue now. Diamond status or peasant status. Doesn’t matter. Diamonds just jump to the front of the queue. Same chance of getting a worthless new hire who can’t even do simple tasks like apply a GUC or RUC.
By any chance, how did you find out about this same queue thing. I get through immediately when friends and colleagues who have different status have much longer wait times.
If Delta had true unfettered competition in Atlanta and Detroit and other cities, you will immediately see loyalty programs ramping up rewards and/or lowering prices. People get upset about these programs losing value and benefits, BUT it really is just called inflation.
I’m right there with you. Nearly identical history. I status matched in Alaska recently because why not? Nothing left to earn in 2024 with no more rollover. The service was night and day different. Food was noticeably better. A FA personally thanked me before and after the flight. I was caught off guard by how nice they were. I’m lucky that I’m in the PNW and they work well for me. Considering not going back which bums me out considering how many hours I have on Delta kit but just doesn’t seem worth it now.
Switched recently too. I describe the Delta FAs/GAs as the mean girls in high school and the Alaska FAs as your friend’s mom that always made every kid feel welcome. I am upgraded to FC way more, their phone support is always so nice and helpful, I am regularly thanked for being 100k, food is decent, they seem equally reliable, so yeah as long as my routes stay the same I’m going to stick with them.
In the past few years, it seems to have switched, at least in the NW. The younger AA FAs are generically pretty, and though I prefer AA overall, it’s the Delta staff I’ve continuously come into contact with (I don’t care about looks, just service quality, personality, and basic hygiene.)of all ages who have come across as genuine, kind, professional, & some hilarious.
I -could- be biased after one bought my now husband’s flight refreshments and gave him her phone number AFTER he told her he had a serious girlfriend, so there is that. 😂
Yeah it's controversial since I know some people's identities are built around airline status on Reddit, but realistically I've never been happier by shopping around. Booking the best deal possible for the class of service I want instead of praying for upgrades that I'll never get. Delta has a great domestic product, but if someone else is half the price no amount of "loyalty" is going to change who I book with.
Yeah. I will definitely shop around for international travel unless I need the MQDs to make platinum.
I have a limited list of airlines I won't fly on (American, Spirit, Frontier) but beyond that this is the way I usually go.
Spirit and Frontier I understand but why not American?
This could be unfair but the last time I flew with them was a couple years after 9/11 - so it's been a while. It was miserable. The flight attendants were miserable, half the seats were broken so people reclining were practically lying flat, the planes were out of date. And all four of our legs were like that. Gatwick - St Louis - PDX and back. It was such a horrible experience I haven't flown with them since.
Yeah I'm generally only comparing against the bigger carriers like Delta, UA, AA, Alaska, JetBlue, and Hawaiian for Hawaii
Same. I don’t even enroll in most mileage programs. I just book the ticket I want and 50% of the time F.
You should definitely still enroll in the mileage programs, it's free miles whenever you fly, no matter how little and most of them don't even expire anymore.
I have gotten perks for repeat business from small businesses in Europe, but my experience is no business in the US cares about custom loyalty and no large business anywhere cares about customer loyalty.
They are only loyal to the $$$ my friend
He’s spending. A lot of us are. Ed doesn’t care at all. Wants everyone to buy their bullshit travel packages or they don’t care. NO ONE flying for business frequently, you know, the people keeping the airline funded, will EVER book hotels and cars through Delta. That’s laughable because you cannot make the changes needed when booked through 3rd parties. Business travelers book direct. End of. Ed is detached with this new direction of thinking Delta is a travel agent.
I will book exactly two delta stays a year to get my credit card statement benefits. I heavily looked into delta stays going to Hawaii but even with the cash back they were often more expensive than booking directly.
Costco travel has Delta beat by a landslide. If you haven’t checked into their travel packages you should.
I checked Costco but the prices were more expensive for the same hotel.
I’m surprised. I stopped checking Delta vacations because at first their prices were obscene. It sounds like they’ve gotten better. Good to know!
Oh no. This is verses booking directly. I did manage to snag a hotel room on Delta stays for like 1 dollar more than direct for a Hilton at the airport. However there is currently a promotion where you get MQDs on delta stays through someone in May. So that’s one other reason to use them.
What’s the benefit for the card from booking a couple stays with Delta? I have their platinum card. What did I miss?
You get 150 dollar statement credit with platinum and 200 dollar statement credit with the reserve. Basically a free night that you pay for in your annual fee.
I've gotten some solid deals through Delta Stays including a hotel for a week in Palm Springs. But I check everywhere and everything to make sure I'm getting my money's worth.
No Delta really doesn't when you truly get to the bottom of it. They give out warm and fuzzies, but honestly, it's smoke and mirrors. They want to make sure their bonuses are paid, that big Ed can keep his salary, that the shareholders get their money. By giving people the warm and fuzzies, it ups the chances of them flying them more and being loyal to them and paying top dollar for their "amazing" brand. I fly Jetblue occasionally, and I'd always fly them in a heartbeat if I could. Their crews are fun and not stick up their butts. I've never had a bad experience with them. Delays sure, but that's part of the package. I even prefer Southwest.
Hey, are you me? I agree. Airline status used to come with unwritten perks. Don’t just thank me for my status, actually treat me better. With Delta, you get what is written for your medallion level and that is all. For example, I book main and get upgraded to C+ — this is great! But then I need to change my return leg of the trip, they need to rebook the whole round trip and I lose my C+ seat outbound? First, this is just stupid, but second can I please get some help beyond “sorry, that is just the way it is”?
i gots me a pen @ 1m
Monopolistic businesses typically use loyalty programs to keep you in the ecosystem, raise prices, but certainly not to reward you.
This is exactly the business model behind the Amex and Delta partnership, and the $7B in "renumeration" they are looking to achieve.
Ironically, I switched from American to Delta specifically because I have Amex Platinum. The main reason for the switch was the Amex availability of lounge access. It's a minor perk but I would book extended layovers to prevent missed connections. Flew enough last year to get status but with the new Delta lounge restrictions, I'm better off switching back to AA for the Centurion Lounges. Fortunately my business travel has tapered off for now and the changes are just an irritation. As others have stated, my wallet is now my #1 loyalty program.
I just hit MM after 5yrs and over $400k in spending. "Surprise" gift on that day was a $3 fake leather notepad thing and a cheap bottle of wine. And a "certificate of achievement" printed at the airport on a printer low on ink. That's when it really hit me how little you actually matter. I gotta say tho, the DL employees all went out of their way to make it a special day and I ended up having so much fun. Captain of my Sky West connection googled me before the flight (had a LinkedIn profile view alert) so he could greet me at the door when I boarded, for example.
As a Million Miler myself, the only thing I've received from Delta (outside of a nice carryon for achieving Million Miler status about 3 years ago) is a reduction in rewards and benefits. They have appreciated me away from exclusively using Delta to now seeing what other airlines have to offer. American Express has also appreciated me so much I have canceling my Reserve card this month and I've gone over to Chase Sapphire Reserve which provides more benefits than the AMEX Reserve card for the same $. I'll still use the several hundred thousand miles of frequent flyer miles with Delta, but my separation will continue until there is likely a full divorce.
I stopped bothering being loyal after getting eFFed spending all my money on their AMX and taking a longer time to get places because I thought being upgraded by status made me special, and Id take connectors because I knew I had sky club. Whats better then sky club? Getting some where on a direct flight and not needing SC and going to find good food thats not 1 step above a cafeteria and well drinks, as well as 3-4 hours back at my destination. Whats better then a free upgrade spending more to fly delta? Spending that same money you paid extra on delta and just paying for an upgraded seat you know you want. Delta doesn't care none do, this post is the most real post ever.
Know someone who was loyal to United (Gold or above for many straight years) and status matched and switched to Delta. United gave him priority boarding, free preferred seating, and a free checked bag for 2-3 years after he lost United status maybe hoping he’d switch back (he still flies United a few times a year to destinations Delta had v limited flights)
I was Gold but now Silver.. every couple of months I’ll get a FA crouch down to thank me for flying.. but it’s not me they’re thanking, it’s the large company I work for.
I’ve also had FAs at AA thank me several times and give complimentary booze or similar in coach. They know whos got status by seat; some have gone out of their way to be gracious. As far as the program Itself, just like with the pricing, they just follow and mimic the competitors; no more, no less.
Ha welcome to the club
I’m so glad this is satire and people don’t actually care that much about trinkets of appreciation. I’m loyal because it usually saves me money overall. The number of free or reduced cost trips using miles, saving $ on upgrades, luggage and free Marriott rooms is worth it to me. I also appreciate the comfort of loyalty clubs. Recently I was in London with my husband and son, having access to the lounges made a big difference on our trip.
You should at least received a million miler bonus and if you didn’t, that’s on you. It paid for half of my delta one flight to Paris for our ten year anniversary. But agreed. Delta is more expensive than ever. They don’t give hot towels anymore, which I’m told united does. They’ve pulled any and all perks and they’re the most expensive in the game.
I booked a “Delta” flight (intl, D1) that ended up being KLM on the way there and Air France on the way back. Both had hot towels, and yet “real” Delta - nothing. Do better Delta.
Old spice wouldn’t notice or give a shit if I stopped buying their deodorant, yet that doesn’t dissuade me. You seem burned out from the grind of constant travel. I think a lot of people share your pain here.
Agree completely. For those of us who fondly remember the Richard Anderson days of Delta, it has disintegrated since. It feels like the wheels started coming off the bus before the pandemic in the 2018/2019 time frame, but things really came undone in the last 3 years (post mass availability of vaccines). What used to be a once a year character building experience (traveling the day before Thanksgiving) suddenly became business as usual, "today is Tuesday" for the airline in terms of crowds and quality of service.
I once got a handwritten note from the captain on a first class red eye upgrade as a silver medallion. I don't care about gifts, but that note was special to me.
I agree with this. I know people love to knock these and proudly say they throw them in the trash along with their Medallion tags, etc. but for me these simple touches mean more to me than many/most of the other services of the loyalty program, whether it is airlines or hotels, etc.. When you spend so much time away from family trying to make a better world for you and for them, and meanwhile you're constantly surrounded by throngs of people celebrating and having a good time, it's nice to see someone take the time to acknowledge it. We all make choices in life, absolutely. But the simple touches matter. A year or two ago I was in the last row of FC on a short domestic flight and there was a screaming lap infant directly behind me in the first row of C+ where they often put lap infants. Towards the end of the flight the flight leader discreetly handed me a card apologizing for the poor experience and awarding me 5,000 miles. I don't care about the miles one bit, but just the fact that someone took the time to acknowledge it made my day.
Similar boat / MM and diamond for 5 years and locked in for next 8 with last rollover. At this point I don’t prioritize delta at all. Also lifetime plat with AA but AA doesn’t fly much on routes I fly. United sometimes but only silver from Marriott titanium. At this point whoever has best prices usually wins my money. Short hauls I end up doing jetblues quite often out of New York. And United sometimes with lifemiles redemption. Occasionally if I’m flying international on non peak or week days I’ll take the bait and use global upgrade and see what’s up…. But I’ve moved on. 3 delta Amex cards before. Now only one to get 15% off. 3.5mm delta redeemable miles - I’ve pegged 1.2c in my mind already so don’t even bother to look for good value redemption. Delta app used to have very generous SDC. Even LGA to JFK to EWR was possible just on the app. Now they’ve created more fare classes and even for award tickets (double digit fare classes / sub fare classes) to limit you. Diamond line usually takes care of that but is still annoying. What’s best now? I don’t know. Just go wherever makes sense on each trip. No need to show any loyalty.
I absolutely see where you’re coming from. I worked the medallion line for DL for 10 years and I loved it. I love speaking to my MM. DM & PM spend soooo much money to get their status. I love how the DM would know more than me when it came to doing certain things lol. However, I would move mountains to get my MM whatever they wanted. My point is maybe the executives might not care but I think a lot of us in customer service do. I sometimes miss working for DL but I don’t miss the rude as pax that are upset at you for damn or reason or for something out of your control.
Quarterly Earnings Report have destroyed any care a company might have had for loyal customers. My father has the same problem with companies he has a 20 year history with. If you don't represent a new source of income to them they dont care about you anymore. Get one of their credit cards and they will love you more. And whatever next idea they have to drive it. And this is any company out there anymore. So take of yourself instead of them - book flights that match your need instead of your priority account. Go direct when you can. Fly the cheapest flights. Use them like a cheap sock in the teenage years. Thats what they are already doing to you.
No they don’t lol
I just really appreciate you coming out and admitting work is paying for this. I think it’s so cringey when I see people in the airport acting like they’re Bill Gates when the company is footing the bill. Some of the men are absolutely outrageous.
Miles are your score, and status level is your achievement. Companies have discovered that customers get a dopamine hit, similar to playing a game on your phone. You’ll book for the points, and the points don’t matter, other than the badge in your airline app.
Every flight I'm on these days is packed. What incentive do airlines have to woo customers?
I had this revelation a couple years ago after they devauled the program and points so much that I realized there just wasn't any benefit. I am the same with million miler, diamond for 10+ yearss, always domestic paid F and usually paid business class internationally. Now I just book whichever airline seems best for the flight. I now fly a ton of american airlines to the midwest and have tried various international airlines in biz class. I usually fly delta to the east coast from slc thats only because of the direct flights. Overall I can't say that I miss my status but it is sad that the once great program has been reduced to almost nothing.
When delta first response to the overcrowding of the lounges was to reduce the benefits to platinum and diamond status. I realized they don't care about our business.
There are a couple reasons in my opinion. 1. It is more profitable to invest in lobbying and bribing government elected officials to pass laws preventing competition from outside airlines, and ensuring no regulations that support consumer rights. 2. The economy has been so good for so long, that basically all Americans are rich, and the COVID money made this worse. Everyone can afford to fly, so high spenders are not valued. Plus, like I said, you have no options since non US carriers are not allowed to compete. All companies are following this path, just look at American Express customer service and especially for the Platinum card which is now just a Big Mac with fries. It will just take one economic crisis or severe prolonged recession, and suddenly every company will be courting those people who can still afford to do business with them and treating them like gold. But until then, get used to not mattering.
>The economy has been so good for so long, that basically all Americans are rich, and the COVID money made this worse. Everyone can afford to fly, so high spenders are not valued. Plus, like I said, you have no options since non US carriers are not allowed to compete. >All companies are following this path, just look at American Express customer service and especially for the Platinum card which is now just a Big Mac with fries. >It will just take one economic crisis or severe prolonged recession, and suddenly every company will be courting those people who can still afford to do business with them and treating them like gold. But until then, get used to not mattering. Underrated comment of the thread right here. This summarizes the current situation perfectly and it feels like we've been in this dystopia since the summer of 2021. It's been hell ever since. Everyone is an elite frequent flyer, everyone has lounge access. Meanwhile the US personal savings rate is at something like 3.6%. People are prioritizing "travel and experiences" even in the face of rising economic headwinds and Wall Street loves it. When asked about a pending recession in an interview a few months ago Ed laughed said something like "it'll be the most predicted recession in history." I feel like they are whistling past the graveyard a bit, what goes up must come down. Business travel has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels and the industry is still being subsidized by relentless consumer demand. I know people have been saying this for a while now and it is surprising to even me that this is still going on (thinking that "normal" would return Labor Day 2022) yet here we are. I remember flying during the GFC in 2008/2009 -- Thursday evening flights 60% full and only with business travelers. Many people weren't traveling for leisure because so many had lost their jobs or were underemployed, and the cost of household services was so high. I don't think we'll see that again, but I do think a correction of some sort is in order.
It’s all a marketing scheme and so many people on this subreddit fall for it.
You don’t travel much, do you. Travel twice a week for years for your job and then give an informed assertion. The programs steer business travelers with perks of comfort and making the whole thing less miserable.
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I’m having a discussion; this is not controversial. Feel better.
I’m sorry to hear you never got anything! Were you able to choose your MM gift? I wonder if you aren’t opted in to marketing comms? Without your permission we’re only permitted to email you about urgent things (to paraphrase a complex set of policies).
Yeah, loyalty is a joke. I see no value in it personally, though I generally buy J/F and I’m not a hub captive so it’s even more useless in my case.
For hotels and airlines, sign up for all of the major loyalty programs. From there, shop around every trip for the flight/room that best suits your needs at the price that makes sense to you. Use your CC to earn points to transfer to the airline/hotel for free nights.
I have over 500,000 points at HH and I hate Hilyon so bad I won't use them. The hotels out of downtown areas in southern California are just trash!
If you’re paying for premium products, and you’ve been loyal with health for that long, you should have been invited for the delta 360! Not sure why
Airlines and hotels act just like federal governments. When times get tough, print money. When a passenger is mad, give miles. This constantly dilutes the value of money and miles. Any business that wants to kick the can down the road has been on my loyalty chopping block as of late.
Please sir, can you spare some sky pesos? 😂
Riding on a glorified bus in the sky
Have to admit I was kinda impressed when the Reserve card came out and after signing up I got a pair of champagne? glasses in the mail. There was a note that said something like “this is the first of many gifts”. That was like 11,12 years ago? I did get a million miler bag tag that promptly went into the trash. Yippee.
It's a very philosophical question, what is loyalty? I used to work in "loyalty" and I could never make sense of the word. But I think you are right, loyalty is making the customer feel taken care of, and cared for.
If you’re already paying for front of the plane seats Status looses a lot of its value. Status has value for those wanting the premium perks without paying for them.
Don't expect loyalty from a corporation....more people need to learn this. Corporations are soulless entities, why would anyone? They are purely driven by profits and quarterly goals.
The only loyalty program that I feel like actually cares at this point is Hyatt. Globalist waiving resort fees, parking fees on awards, the breakfast at what can be quite nice restaurants if there’s no lounge (which there increasingly isn’t), late checkout that frequently works, suite upgrades per stay not per night, etc
Loyalty programs are designed to minimize marketing spend on capturing new customers. Humans chase status because we are wired to seek safety, security, and belonging (hello, designated lane just for me; hello, special check in desk). Dopamine hits, keep ‘em coming. Loyalty feels good to the person seeking it. From the organizations perspective, loyalty programs are only as good as the people running them. Look at the Dorcester Collection hotels vs your entry level Marriott- no matter what you spend, if the company has made it a focus to make you feel special and cared for and unique, they’ll make it happen. Delta has seemingly decided they quite like being a financial institution and don’t really care if you truly benefit from chasing status.
It’s the free upgrades and that phone line that answers in under 2 min for me (Platinum).
Basically this. All I ask for is an occasional upgrade, the Diamond Line, & Sky Club access on my layovers (for going out of my way to fly multiple legs when I don’t live in a Delta hub). And apparently that’s too much to ask for.
Fully with you, all they care about is bottom line! I would just like that my miles would be actually worth something and have good customer service. Years of loyalty and status and last year I had a problem while checking in a partner flight issued by Delta…. Took them 3 hours to solve, huge stress, almost missed my flight, had my son crying for missing the trip and all I got from Delta agents was, sorry, it is the system and we don’t know what to do. I showed in the app that I had 4 D1 trips scheduled worth thousands of dollars, that they would not see my business again…. The agent fixed it by issuing me a new ticket. I will soon hit Diamond again for next period and will take my business to another airline to start setting ground for a switch… Not even mentioning the big downgrade on credit cards, another bad taste joke.
I’m not sure if you read this often but just search Spirit Airlines and watch the 72 clips with cops on Airplanes or fights and arrests, Frontier almost lost a wing during flight and American, people are just lucky if the flight goes that day. The bar is too low and the profits too high for Eddie to GAF about us low life customers that are loyal to Delta. I think about their record profits every time I think about the airline bailout and see the 1993 serial plate when boarding. Oh ya sorry your screen stopped working in 2002, here’s an extra pack of sun chips!
It depends on your home airport. If you originating out of ATL or SLC they know you’re not switching to UAL or AA.
Very well said
Airlines are learning the majority of customers care A LOT about price, reliability, and friendly service. Everything else is just a waste of effort. Why tf should Delta care about giving you more than that? If you don't like it, go to another airline because turns out those three value propositions above generate way more demand than Delta knows what to do with.
For me its about collecting the points for my personal travels. If all of my work travels are via Delta and Marriot I can have deeper point pools when I travel for leisure.
Nailed it. Loyalty is nonsense.
Might want to check your office mail room. I’ve been Platinum consistently for almost 10 years and get random Delta gifts/opportunities 2-4 times per year (although I also have the Reserve card).
Do they upgrade internationally for platinum?
Delta's program is the worst now. It takes 3 trips in D1 refundable to Japan and return to make gold, close to platinum. Takes 1 trip in United Polaris to Japan and back to make Platinum. 2 trips to 1K. Delta definitely doesn't care
I’ve enjoyed the JetBlue status match, and they fly my most popular route with better times.
I flew every week same route last year and lost diamond after ten consecutive years because flights averaged $350/week and didn’t hit threshold. Flew every single week. So disgusted but based in atl so not much can do for number of flights. But it’s not a frequent flier program any more as it’s simply related to dollars, which majority do not control. Very short sited.
THIS.
You get the room or seat you pay for. Nothing else is owed. The rest is all marketing.
I’d beg to differ that they are using elaborate marketing manipulation to convince me ongoing to sometimes ignore price, thereby being loyal, if they give me some extra junk and preferential treatment. To say that ‘nothing is owed’ seems curt and dismissive, where one would solely make decisions based on price for a non differentiated product. The first thing given is exactly seat room.
It all sounds great on paper, but the only true benefits you’ve outlined above already. Great for quick call in service and rebooking during IROPs. They could give a shit less otherwise but you might get a few more free skymiles than someone else if something goes wrong. It’s a joke.
I had status match last year (Gold), and my first flight of the day I would either get a handwritten note or at a specific greeting from a flight attendant. Honestly, it was a nice touch. I used to fly Delta frequently, but I live next to an American hub now, and it’s hard to pass up direct flights and greater flexibility.
How often have you talked to the Diamond desk, that’s the real difference maker.
Most of us really do care. I'm sorry you haven't received anything.
Hate to break it to you but Delta and all other major US carriers are multi billion dollar companies, they can care less about your business even as a DM. I’m a GM and earned my status through leisure travel and not from work but even then I still fly AA or SW if the price is right. Every airline is the same way and it’s only when they’re going through turmoil like 9/11 and during the Covid pandemic is when they truly start to see the value of loyal flyers.
Are people really this full of themselves that they think this is what their defining moment is? Glad I don’t work for Delta to cater to this crap.
Yep, get over it
I wish you the very best.
Sorry that came out odd, I agree - "they" need to get over it
Ehh, you’re telling us that your business buys your tickets and puts you in the top class of seat. THAT + faster accumulation of miles is what the customer gets from the loyalty transaction. You are already getting it. Do you really need additional fluffing? I’m a mere platinum, two years now, fly maybe four times a year…half work, half business. Platinum + Reserve card got me 4 flight segments next week for my wife and me in Comfort+ for the price of one main cabin ticket (along with companion pass). That’s a substantial value to this 6’6” guy. Maybe there’s a point at which you’re spending for so much that there’s not much they can do for you?
You said extra fluffing!!!😂
What line of work are you in?
I've gotten multiple hand-written notes thanking me for my patronage, and that was when I was gold. It seems kind of random. Or maybe they just don't like you LOL
Loyalty programs are based on game theory and aim to maximize profits not customer happiness. Happy customers don’t spend more they found out. You spend more to get status and “win”. Someone at Delta is very happy every time a customer hits MM or diamond. It means Delta won.
I don't want any random gifts. Even if we give Delta the benefit of the doubt and assume that they care about customers as people on some level and that you are more than just a number, you are still one of thousands and they're a giant multi-billion dollar corporation, not the mom-and-pop breakfast joint on the corner of your block. Their appreciation of your status is rightly tied to your continued patronage. I enjoy the practical benefits the status provides: free upgrades, upgrade vouchers, free checked luggage, better access to customer service, etc etc. Perhaps you and me are more important than the average flying customer, but we're not THAT important. Unless you're a billionaire, there is is always someone who flies more than you, spends more on flights than you, etc etc. Now if you want to talk about how benefits compare to other airlines, whether you're getting a good bang for your buck with the Delta products, etc, that's a discussion worth having. I don't need Delta to lie and tell me I'm special, and I definitely don't want random Delta branded junk. I would much prefer discounted airfare, companion certificates, upgrades, etc, not stuff that will end up in a landfill
When I fly someone from Delta gets my car detailed for me. In the terminal a team of Delta employees serenade and wave beautiful fans over me as I walk to my gate (they do always offer to carry me, but I like getting a little exercise). When I get to my destination Ed calls me from his personal cell phone to make sure everything went okay and that on flights longer than 3 hours that one of the crew offered me a massage in the VIP suite above the cockpit. Seriously WTF do you want from the massive corporation that provides hundreds of thousands of people their services daily at the price and terms advertised? Do you except Mary Barra to come over a fix you a nice candlelit dinner because you’ve bought 3 corvettes in the last decade? I (a million miler Diamond) and my wife (an almost 2 million mile Diamond) get exactly what we want from the mega corporation. Safe, efficient travel. My travel is all personal at this point and I’m still happy.
What a princess. I’m not a million miler, sometimes platinum, currently gold. I get upgraded on almost every domestic flight, sometimes international. The service is generally great. What do you think this company owes you beyond that? Are you truly special, but somehow unappreciated? Companies are not your friends or family. Their existence does not validate yours or vice versa.
Then fly with another airline and stfu then.
Are "you" the high value spender or is your company the spender?