Welcome to a regular feature on the Renés Points blog. This blog series covers in a “rookie” way either a Delta or travel related theme and attempts to break down to a basic level each topic. You can read up on all the previous posts HERE. Now on to this featured topic.
Delta, a while back, had a twitter campaign to show off what they called your #BragTag that is, your whatever Delta elite card that you are to stick on your bag. Now in the past these had somewhat of a real purpose as it had your SkyMiles number on it as well as a bar code that when scanned also showed your frequent flyer number.
But then a few things changed. First Delta stopped putting your frequent flyer info on your tags. Then they stopped sending out Silver Medallion tags and encouraged those lowest level elites (although, for now, SPG Platinums with crossover rewards really are below them) to simply print their elite cards online. The following year Delta discontinued sending out Gold Medallion tags. The latter really is sad because a Gold Medallion is a Skyteam elite+ member and that does matter to the rest of Skyteam and there can be times they want to see a real card to get member perks like lounge access or free bags (and they often don’t like a printed card or a digital one).
OK, all the above is interesting history but what does that have to do with the topic of the day, that is, should you put a Platinum or Diamond or even Delta360* tag on your bag? On the frequent flyer chat board FlyerTalk there is a long thread where half of the respondents say it is just show boating or grand standing to put any kind of such BragTag on your bag. There are even photos of bags with nearly half a dozen Diamond tags (one for each year of membership). While others even have fake medallion tags on their bags called either Unobtainum or Kryptonium Medallion (I have one of the latter on one of my bags just for fun). But also discussed in the thread is are there any perks to having these things dragging from your bag.
The simple answer is: YES!
Oh wait a minute René, you are telling me that folks can go on Ebay and buy for $50 to $100 a set of real Diamond BragTags and get Delta perks? Please…
Now hold on, I am not talking about upgrades or anything like that that really requires you to hold the real status. I am talking about many little things that just having these on your bag can make a difference. OK like when then? Here is a short list:
- Finding space for an a bag on-board
- Getting escorted to a shorter line
- Accessing your bag faster on regional jets plane side
- Any other tiny bits along the way!
Let’s look at these one by one. Again, to be clear, I am not advocating you put these tags on your bag if you do not actually hold the status reflected on your tag. Now as to overhead space neither am I saying you should put one of these BragTags on your mega size bag as a way to get around the rules. What I am however suggesting is that say if you are playing TeamBoardLast (since Delta reps in 2018 don’t seem to care about upgrading those who were #1 on the list once they board) and you are worried about them running out of overhead space then having one of these tags can maybe help you get your bag onboard with you as the last passenger on the jet (there is always room for a Size Check sized bag in the coat closet, right). Or, if you are late to the gate getting that little bit of extra help from a flight attendant to open enough bins until space is found for your bag. Yes, this BragTag can help you here.
Next up we have real world examples that I have experienced. Say you are arriving at international customs and the lines are long. Sometimes you may be shown the way to a much shorter line just because a rep saw your BragTag on your bag (sir, this way for Diamonds). The bottom line here is reps are looking for the tags and can maybe now and then save you some time. Time is something I value above most other things and I bet you do too!.
This next one may not impact you unless you find yourself often flying on the horrid and cursed CRJ200 regional jets (if you can avoid them, good for you). For the rest of us I have found that with my Diamond BragTag on my bag, mine, and other elite bags, tend to come faster when being loading into the jetway one by one vs. those bags without tags.
Now my last one and this applies to the only other group that still gets BragTags in the mail from Delta, that is, Platinums. Remember that with much of Skyteam, Platinum is their frequent flyer program’s highest level. Thus, much of the above can apply to you if you are flying with partners so why not also stick your tag on your bag.
So while some may be happy to sell their Delta stuff on Ebay as a collector’s item for a few bucks each year, others may find it more valuable to strap these BragTags on their bags and see if they can in fact help you along the way. But you tell me. Do you put these, or other tags, on your bags. Have you ever had some little perk extended to you by doing so? Let us know in the comments below! – René
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I’m Platinum but never got a tag in the mail. How do I get one?
I cut out a business card to fit the back of the tag and use it as a luggage tag, so it’s dual purpose
Saw a guy the other day with a custom shirt that had “Delta million miler” embroidered on the back. He was delayed just the same as the rest of us when the CRJ-700 broke down. I don’t put my PM tags on anything.
I was at AMS last week and as always people started lining up to board 30 minutes before the announcement. The place was a zoo. I stayed seated until Delta One was called. Of course I had to walk through the crowd to get in front. As I walked very patiently saying “excuse me” a guy in line who should not be there definitely saw my Diamond tag on my carry on and asked people in front of him to open up. That a nice gesture without me having to say anything to brag myself.
I’m sure there are a few fringe benefits to keeping on your bag. But I just can’t get myself to do it. I think it’s kind of nerdy.
How about those new crappy plastic bags.. cheap butts at Delta
I have mine on my bag. It has moved me forward in lines, and I have had Delta agents notice it and comment.
Have you seen the new Diamond bag tags?Plastic and cheap looking.
Don’t use my DD tags figure it is just bragging and FA’s look at it like big deal. Now if I was a Delta360 I would be sporting those proudly. DD’s are a dime a dozen I have never even seen anybody with a Delta360 tag.
I’m not sure about putting them on checked luggage … I’ve had several disappear the last few years. Hand luggage only for me.
I think the biggest help I have had was getting space on a plane for a carry on bag in the overhead bin……get the “we can put that in the closet for you since there is no space” on a regular basis….makes a big difference.
As for my bag coming off a CRJ 200 first I can honestly say maybe 1 time that I ever remember.
I have my PM tag on all my bags. I also use a Sharpie to write my Skymiles number on it too, since DAL stopped printing them several years ago. This is a real good identifier without having may name and address in a neon sign if it gets “lost” and wish DAL would go back. I do notice occasionally that a FA will notice my #bragtag when boarding and thank me for being a PM.
Never put one of the #BragTags (aka Cowbells) on checked luggage. Since they became unnumbered, they now have some street (aka EBay) value. There were a lot of reports on FlyerTalk of their Diamond tags going missing. I just checked on Ebay and there are about 15 tags for sale/bid ranging from $20-$100.
Just received my 2018 Diamond luggage tags. I guess there isn’t as much to brag about this year they aren’t metal any more.
Once when boarding, an attendant noticed the Platinum tag on my seatmate’s bag. They asked if was Platinum, he answered “I used to be.”
They took him up to first class.
I have my DD’s on all my bags. They have advanced me in lines, and I have had Delta folks notice them and comment. There’s also been times when they place my bags in the closet and my bags are always first off when checking plane side. It surely makes a difference more than not, as it should. Regarding the idea of show boating, grand standing, snobbery, or pretension…it has everything to do with attitude. If you’re rude, demanding, etc. well then you get the moniker, however if you’re polite, kind, and non condescending, why then you break that whole mold. I just love saying to Delta folks, whether at the gate, FA, Sky Club, etc. “can you please do something for me?” They usually say something like, “sure! What can I do?” And I’ll just smile and say, “make your day a fantastic day!” The resulting smiles and comments are amazing! At Sky Club desks with several reps, they all usually look over with a beaming smile. Passing this around is contagious and lifts my spirits as well! I love traveling positive! That’s DD Positive. Heh 🙂
I never use status to brag about it. However, having the Diamond tag on my computer bag helped me to shut down a stupid gate agent in Seattle. I had a later flight but got early to the airport and saw there was an earlier flight leaving in 15 min. I rushed to the gate and asked if the flight was full. She gave me a nasty look and said if I wanted to be on standby there were 13 people ahead of me so my chances were zero. She never asked my status. I grabbed my computer bag and showed her my Diamond tag and asked if that would change anything. Oh boy!!! She immediately changed her nasty attitude and said that I would be number 1 in the list. I could see her face regretting her previous attitude. I ended up saying thank you and kept my later flight since I had a colleague with me that had no status and thought it would not be nice to leave him behind.
I have heard that sometimes because of weight or the priority of paying cargo, some bags will not be loaded. If your bag didn’t make the flight, it might not be an error, but may have been deliberate. If have the yellow “priority” on your bag, it will not be selected to be left behind. The same might be true for brag tags.