I’m sure to rile a few people with this post or at least cause someone to call me unflattering names. Nearly six months ago I wrote a reflective post on my first few months as a traveler living in my new hometown of Atlanta called I’m In a Delta State of Mind. In that post I reflected on my Delta experiences, and general satisfaction with the Delta product. Since that time, we’ve had “Die Miles,” Sky Club boozegate, and I could swear there was some other tortuous travel trauma Delta has inflicted upon us, but I can’t remember what it was. Oh yeah, Medallion Qualification Dollars! Heck, even my good friend and dedicated lover of all things widget, DeltaPoints, has been taking Delta to task of late.
But here I am…still in a Delta state of mind, and ok with it. What’s wrong with me? Stockholm Syndrome? Glutton for punishment? How about appreciator of reliable transportation? Wait, you mean this whole thing is about reliable transportation? Why yes, it is. While I’ve collected a mile or 3 million in my time for no reason other than the sake of collecting a mile, the truth of the matter is that the basic relationship between an airline and its customer is transportation. The airline offers transportation, the customer decides if that transportation at the price offered meets their needs, and the two enter into a business relationship. The fact that an airline offers a loyalty program with attractive perks, and opportunities for “free” travel, all the better.
And such is my relationship with Delta. I’ve flown lots of airlines and in almost every case, I can think of one or two things I like about each of them. Funny thing, I can think of five things I like about Delta.
- On time.
- Operationally sound.
- Nice people.
- Clean, comfortable planes.
- iPhone app.
- @DeltaAssist
- Near total wi-fi coverage.
- Strong network.
- Early participant in PreCheck.
@Bobo,
I was just thinking I should hurry up and move to Miami so I can drive to the port.
Stick with cruising, you seem much more informed,. All of the things you like are open season for this Delta management team, just a few weeks ago people were saying, screw Skymiles, I love drinking in the Sky Club…and now. When your “likes” get touched maybe you will see the light.
John, thanks for commenting.
Thanks for pointing out what Delta is actually here to provide, and that they do it quite well. I am also ATL based, fly 110-150K a year, almost all short flights, and I freakin love DAL. It is the only program where actual affection for the product, and not switching cost, is why I stay with them.
I noticed you didn’t mention the iPad app either. What a disaster. Wayyyy too big, slow, buggy, prone to crashing etc…
The iPhone app is OK, but nothing special.
However, your other points are certainly valid(Delta Assist is quite good), but let’s face it; many people join and accumulate miles/points for biz/F travel at low(er) level requirements. That’s kind of the “Holy Grail” of these programs and airlines, IMO.
Reliable transportation is expected on a metal(now sometime composite) tube traveling at over 500 MPH. I think mosst airlines ae pretty good at this aspect.
The bar has been raised, especially given current fares(in most, not all cases) and program “enhancements”.
Geoff, thanks for commenting. Believe me, I join loyalty programs for the same reasons.