Two Ways Delta Could Improve Their “Have One On Us” Certificates

Sit down and crack open open a cold one. Let’s chat for a sec.

Delta Medallion elite status holders receive four complimentary “Have One on Us” (or HOOUs, as we call them) certificates each year. (SkyBonus members can also cash in points and receive 10 HOOUs. I also received them from a Red Coat after volunteering for a #bumpertunity that made his night easier.)

“Have One on Us” drink coupons are redeemable for a free liquor, beer, or wine beverage on Delta-operated flights. (Alternative: the $2 headphones sold onboard can be had for a HOOU.)

Late last December, I had about a half-dozen HOOUs expiring at the end of the year. During my family’s final flights, I gave them to a couple of flight attendants and asked if they’d like to play Santa Claus to some passengers who order drinks. (I also said that if the flight attendants wanted to use them for their own personal purposes, that they certainly deserved it and I’d be happy with that, too. 🙂 )

We were in Comfort+ (where adult beverages are complimentary) and didn’t them.

The “Problem” with Have One On Us Certificates

Geez! Complain, complain, complain! you may say. Bloggers whine about free stuff!

As well-intentioned as HOOUs are, there are several reasons they may difficult for some people to redeem. And, yes, most of these are #FirstWorldProblems.

• Not all Medallions (or other HOOU coupon holders) drink alcohol
• Medallions can get upgraded to Comfort+ or first class — where drinks are free
• Not every Delta flight (during non-pandemic times) serves alcoholic beverages 

Now, Delta may see that list, twiddle a mustache, and cackle, Yes! That’s the point! Or they may genuinely want people to redeem them for free things.

But it’d be great to see a little more oomph added to the HOOUs. And here are a couple of easy ways I think Delta can do that.

Allow Them to Be Used for Flight Fuel

When Delta resumes full service in all cabins, it’d be great if HOOUs could be redeemable for the Flight Fuel premium snack boxes.

Here’s a menu from about a year ago. Prices ranged from $8.99 to $10.99, depending on the item.

My Medallion friends who don’t drink usually roll their eyes at HOOUs.

But making coupons redeemable for Flight Fuel boxes would be a great way to acknowledge those SkyMiles members. And, in general, people who aren’t served meals during longer flights would probably enjoy a Flight Fuel snack. (This would be a great option for Comfort+ passengers — who receive complimentary adult beverages anyway.)

Heck, my family of three could easily burn all four of my yearly HOOUs during one flight: a couple of Flight Fuel boxes for us to share and then a cocktail each for my wife and me. (If we’re in Main Cabin.)

After that, we’re paying out of pocket for premium snacks the rest of the year (well, at least until the airline incidental credit runs out on our Platinum Card® from American Express 🙂 )

Plus, it gets a good product into customers’ hands. People are more likely to talk about the Flight Fuel boxes — and SkyMiles program.

Make HOOUs Valid for THE BAR Purchases at Delta Sky Clubs

Some Delta Sky Clubs have self-service alcohol with several complimentary house/well offerings.

Others have staffed bars (officially titled “THE BAR”) offering not just complimentary drinks but also premium alcohol beverages — for which there’s a charge.

Three forms of payment are accepted at THE BAR in Delta Sky Clubs:

• Credit or debit card
• Cash
• SkyMiles

Here’s another area where Delta could further impress its Medallions (and/or other HOOU coupon holders). What about letting people redeem the certs for a complimentary premium beverage in Sky Clubs?

And here’s another potential upside for Delta: if I burn my last HOOU on a Woodford Reserve in a Sky Club, I may be inclined to buy a round after that. (It’s hard to go from Woodford to Old Forester or Jack Daniel’s…)

I don’t know how many Medallions have access to Delta Sky Clubs through a qualifying American Express card (listed below) or Sky Club membership. But adding value to the HOOU certificates certainly gives those without Sky Club access more incentive to join the party. And it adds a bit more potential value to those Amex cards.

Final Approach

Have One On Us coupons are a cool gift from Delta. But I wish the airline would make it easier to redeem them. Making HOOUs available for Flight Fuel boxes and Sky Club bar purchases would be a #KeepClimbing move, for sure.

What do you think? Please tell us your thoughts in the below Comments section.

Enjoy Complimentary Admission to Delta Sky Clubs!

These cards give cardholders free admission to Delta Sky Clubs on days you fly Delta Air Lines marketed or operated flights!

The Platinum Card® from American Express (learn how to apply)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (learn how to apply)

Delta Reserve Card (learn how to apply)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (learn how to apply)