Last week was a shock to the system of many frequent flyers. I’m not even really impacted by Delta’s changes yet, fully expected what they announced, and still….. I’m trying to figure out how I feel. To say this is a big change would be a major understatement. My airline background is in operations, not marketing, and I do not write a “miles and points” blog even if I do talk about my own experiences with them from time to time. That said, I do care about and owe a lot to airline miles. The truth is that I’ve experienced things I would not have otherwise been able to access thanks to miles, and flown in a level of comfort I could not otherwise afford. Even if I don’t always write like it, trust me when I say I like my miles.
In the near term, my way forward is the same as it has been. I will continue to fly Delta. The airline ops guy in me is quite comfortable saying that Delta is likely running the best U.S. airline. I’ve been nothing less than pleased with the Delta’s reliability and level of care I receive as a Platinum Medallion. On the other hand, their challenges on the SkyMiles redemption side are well documented. My cure for that has been to diversify into other rewards currencies. I’m sure there is nothing groundbreaking in saying everyone should diversify their miles and points holdings. That will continue to be my strategy in the near term.
Longer term, I will watch the developments with SkyMiles and how they proliferate to the other big airline loyalty programs. I cannot imagine that the remaining legacy programs remain untouched longer term. I’m especially interested in what we finally see on the redeemable side of the new SkyMiles program. So much has happened in the last year that one could be forgiven for being a bit suspicious that the award calendar really will be fixed, or that availability really will improve. For now, I am cautiously hopeful.
I’ve always said that miles and points programs are all about doing what’s good for you. Don’t get emotional about it. Take a sincere look at your situation, really analyze the costs vs. the benefits, then act.
Coming this week – my last word on the new SkyMiles until we see an award chart.
-MJ, March 3, 2014
I have noticed that those bloggers that live in Delta hub cities seem to believe that the new DL Skymiles program is salvageable or at least they are unwilling to consider jumping ship. Delta has them right where they want them: high level traveler, located in a maximum potential DL city and then rakes them over the coals and knows they will stick with them not matter what happens because the cost to switch would be nearly impossible to contemplate let alone activate.
I lay this whole issue on the US government approving so many mega mergers that competition at the fare level, service level and award program level have been effectively removed. The consumer is now left with very difficult, and painful choices if they choose to no longer support the legacy carriers – I would even go further and say that it is not possible in reality. Delta support of its customers is mostly nonexistent where it really counts.
I have never been happier about my decision 1.5 years ago to burn the last of our Delta miles on Business Class to Europe. I agree about and did value my flight experiences but all the evidence pointed and still points to increasing difficulties related to getting value from Delta Awards.
SkyPesos R.I.P.
I totally agree. You can’t necessarily be loyal to any particular airline because they won’t be loyal to you. You always need to re-evaluate and find out what’s best for you and your family
I’ve already changed. 15 yrs ago I started as FO and over the last 10 yrs have bounced between GM and PM. I’m burning DL points. I made my 1st purchase on another airlines (excluding partners) in 15 yrs last week.
I loved DL’s service but don’t trust them after the last year of change. Not coming out with a new FF chart tells me it won’t be good no matter what they say. So I’ve set myself up for a AA challenge this fall and will burn FF miles until then.
I also think they’ll have to go to a all 1st Class plane from NYC to LAX or they’ll start having PM’s and DM’s jumping ship because of no upgrades. Interesting to think of a all 1st Class plane?