Last year, when Delta radically changed the medallion qualification rules, I gave up the chase for status after having been a Diamond Medallion almost since the year the status was introduced. This year I have been flying Delta as a Platinum Medallion for the few Delta flights I have taken and next year I drop to Gold and will stick there as a Delta Million Miler as the airlines is annually gifting me that status (until they again change the rules that is).
Having seen the writing on the wall I have for the past few years seen my upgrade percentage dropping from what was years ago all but guaranteed to now all but impossible even as a Diamond. Why?
Longtime readers of the blog may remember that over the last decade, Delta planned something colloquially known as “20×2020.” That reflected the airline’s goal to make ONLY 20% of First Class seats available for complimentary elite status upgrades by 2020. The other 80% would presumably be purchased either outright at the time of booking or through monetized buy-ups after customers bought tickets.
Well we learned this week from the Delta shareholders meeting that Delta is now selling 88% of all premium cabin space up from the low teens years ago. As I have been YELLING blogging about for years and years that (see above) this has been the goal and the end is nigh for upgrades.
That time is now!
Years ago I would accuse readers who told me they were simply buying cheap upgrades when offered that “they were part of the problem” and pushing us faster toward the cliff of no more “free” upgrades (not really free upgrades if you spend your life only flying on Delta jets but they consider them free so…).
Having given up on the elite chase I too have become “part of the problem” as I have not been slumming it in coach but also have taken advantage of all the tricks left (more on these in another post soon) or simply buying up and thus not caring at all where my name lands on the upgrade list because I am no longer even on it. I would much rather, when I have to fly Delta, simply spend more whatever to fly upfront than dedicate all my yearly spend to Delta in the hope that I will maybe, just maybe, be rewarded for my loyalty by getting a “free” upgrade.
Now here is the really scary part and again the reason, for me, showing ANY measure of loyalty to Delta is done. Readers keep telling us (not to mention Reddit and other sites) that not just complimentary upgrades but also Global Upgrade Certificates, and Regional Upgrade Certificates are more and more becoming fool’s gold and all but impossible to use year after year. If you want someone to blame you can thank Delta’s President Glenn Hauenstein who wants all the elite perks to simply die.
All of us must come to know that you are only the value of what you spend with Delta. Loyalty is dead. The Skymiles Medallion program switched over to a completely spend-based model last year and is not looking back. They want you to spend everything and give nothing back – that is the plan and they are winning. Gone are the days when Delta used to promise this (see video)!
Are you going to play in 2025? Even as a hub captive are you just going to take it? Gosh I really want to know what it will take for you to choose another airline over Delta? – Rene
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I disagree. I still get tremendous value out of my DM status even without any FC upgrades.
Virtually 100% C+ at booking, priority during IROPS, unlimited lounge access (I spent exactly $75,001 on my Reserve), priority phone access, discretionary waivers and favors, 4 GUCs that I can always use on Virgin/KLM/AF by booking far in advance with flexibility and they are immediately reticketed, gifting 2 of my kids GM status which comes in very handy for them when they travel abroad as STE+, a $700 AMEX credit which gives me a free annual Reserve fee +$50 and the companion pass worth $1,000+ to me.
Priority treatment during IROPS is the major, major benefit especially if flying lots of long haul with many connections. Unfortunately, it’s a pretty intangible benefit and one that’s extended to you if you’re flying biz/first anyways regardless of status.
Excellent response!
I totally agree! I was diamond from year one, and will be platinum, gold etc next year…. After achieving 2 million miles with them, I also feel like a merely credit card milking asset of the. Indeed, priority boarding, ‘free’ economy comfort (which is less comfort than most airlines, like klm), extra suitcase only if you buy above basic fare. No lounge access long time now (klm and virgin do respect delta status, more than delta itself!!!). Global upgrades became theoretical perk. Chances to win the lottary were higher… At least on busy routes. Standby is the keyword, until an hour before takeoff..
Leaving abroad, I left all together the airline. Very disappointing treatment for loyal customers… I am already gold with Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. They let me access their lounges without their credit card…
Comfort+ is a joke.
I would absolutely love flying other airlines domestically. But there are none that can compare to the service and timeliness of Delta. There record stands strong.
As a Platinum I’m here to attest..Delta FFY program is WORTHLESS
Totally agree and airlines points are next to worthless
So you are saying you cant use miles to purchase FREE flights? (Personal attack redacted)
Agreed, I live near Atlanta and fly 2 weeks every month on average but I stay primarily in the south. Delta has already told me that I pretty much have no chance of getting priority over other folks who fly more. Why bother having any loyalty?
Sadly not peculiar to Delta. Status nowadays basically get’s you free bags and extra miles, which the airlines suck back in award travel redemption. Gone are the days when status got you frequent upgrades.
Yeah I really feel like the program is going to get much closer to hotels. If my hilton diamond status went away I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even notice it.
I was Marriott Ambassador elite last year and the one before. This year only Titanium and next only Gold because the ONLY benefit is the upgraded rooms, but I can just pay for those rather than spending $300 on a regular Marriott room for the loyalty nights when I can stay at the Intercontinental for $150.
Since we (me and my +1) usually travel only twice a year (to the US) we used to be Silver Medallions most of the time and we enjoyed it. Of course, the few upgrades were quite nice (sure, they were some years ago), but it was great to have a free checked bag. On the transatlantic flights two bags (one for everyone plus one for being a medallion). That one year of being Platinum because of the pandemic (all MQMs rolled over several times plus the bonus promo with +50% for main cabin or +75% for premium like DPS) was awesome. Okay, no first class flight at all but C+ on all flights shortly after ticketing was great (we could easily select two seats next to each other). And some extra money saving by choosing a travel voucher as a choice benefit (for our purposes the best choice).
Now that the rules have changed we won’t be medallions anymore. So I won’t plan weird routings anymore to get somewhere the long way 😉
And what I don’t like: we have to take one of the two bags we used to check onboard and hope to find some bin space (as non-medallions we board later than we used to).
Other than the program I still ike flying Delta. So maybe they win and I won’t jump ship. Before I have to fly a European carrier it’s way better to be on a Delta plane.
Oh, now that I am going to book more direct routings since status is out of the question, my +1 is happier. She likes flying but not to the degree I do. So she sometimes complained about spending half our vacation onboard a plane or in an airport lounge 😉
@Ralfinho – You make my point. Fly Delta (and for me buy up) when it works for you but fly other airlines if better because all Delta no longer is a wise choice.
Should you look into the last twenty years or so of company history, you might see how Delta has basically screwed over their retirees, both unionized and not. If they have no issues with dumping on former employees, they sure as hell will trample on their frequent fliers with the same gusto. Their management team now focuses on what’s best for THEM, and no one else.
And the CEO gets $34 million a year to oversee the reduction of employee benefits and SkyMiles benefits. They make more from the credit cards than they do from people buying seats on their planes. They don’t care about frequent flyers because they don’t have to care. If everyone cancels their Delta branded credit cards they might try harder to keep their frequent flyers happy. Key word “might” because they’ll try anything and everything else before they improve benefits for frequent flyers.
Sadly all the airlines are doing this. I fly often for work and was AA Platinum for years (mainly the bands i worked for preferred AA with a lot of BA customers and US to UK flights.) when AA canned their frequent flyer program early, post-pandemic, I emailed and even had a phone conversation with the vice president of customer service (or whatever the official title) from corporate. I expressed to them that since the entertainment industry was just getting back on their feet it would be really helpful to have a little more time extended to retain status. Despite the call, they said they had made a decision to do no such thing. I said fine, I’ll switch airlines, and have avoided AA unless absolutely necessary. The past 2 years I’ve been gold on Delta, but since they switched to purely dollar based FF programs, it’s pretty tough to achieve higher status. The only reason I’m still with Delta at this point is that the in flight experience is better than AA–American is the only major airline i know of right now that doesn’t offer some form of free in-flight messaging at a minimum, or have a partner program with in flight WiFi. They have gone to all paid everything, the flight experience is poor, and i won’t go back. Delta has rapidly gone down the same path and i won’t bother being loyal to them in the future. Delta’s app is so so, but worse, they have zero integration with their international partners. When i book through Delta but wind up on a leg operated by KLM, i get zero updates or info, can’t use the app, and get no support. Trying to track bags and flight info from the KLM side is also pointless if it’s mixed carriers. It’s very frustrating if you’ve bothered to try to accumulate some status. Furthermore, Delta has discontinued lounge access for gold members on international flights at most if not all locations. Formerly that was one major benefit for international travel. Now, who cares. I’m not paying credit card fees just for access, when the company does nothing else for me. Surprisingly United, who I used to completely avoid, has improved by comparison. At least their app is excellent. They used to be the carrier most likely to lose my bags, but they’ve gotten better there. Now I’m far more likely to get stranded in Amsterdam on a Delta\klm connection than for United to lose my bags at OHare. I’ve had to file claims to replace toiletries etc via Delta connections 3X in the past 18 months. ALL the airlines are doing the same thing–ironically, as they are posting record profits. It’s a great example of how capitalism is fundamentally broken, if you ask me. They find out what they can get away with, then keep pushing and pushing. Pride in service, customer satisfaction, and good treatment of employees, work environment, and overall experience are absolutely meaningless now. They know certain people need to keep traveling, and will do so at almost any cost, so they are pushing the experience to the absolute limit, regardless of how miserable or jaded their customers become. The only hard line is the reaction from shareholders and investors, and so far they haven’t hit the limit. Like Boeing, I’m sure they’ll just continue to cut corners to maximize profits until there are some real disasters that force them to reconsider, or regulation pushes them instead. Viva la profit, though!
I think your way of looking at Delta’s program is skewed to your concerns. As someone who travels with a wife and baby on long international flights four or five times a year and just a handful of short domestic flights each year, I find the program is working great for me. Getting free Economy Comfort upgrades on a 14 hour flight to Asia is a signficant perk. Plus, we regulalry use our companion tickets and upgrades from Platinum and Diamond to add the occasional perk. Every Delta agent greets me by thanking me for being a Diamond Medallion and Millioner Miler, and when they see we’re traveling with a 1 year old, they go out of their way to help with little things. If you only measure a program’s worth in terms of how many free upgrades to business/first class you get, you’re only looking at the program in the most narrow of terms. I’ve come to see my status and range of perks in a more holistic manner. Sometimes I get a free upgrade, others time I don’t, but I know I always get great service. That’s critical when traveling for 24-36 hours with a young child.
@Bram – Yes but Delta used to do all those things AND provide a reasonable upgrade chance.
Comfort+ on a 14-hr long haul is a significant perq?? No wonder you disagree with Rene… if you set your bar any lower it would just be resting on the floor. Either that or you shill, i mean work, for Delta.
As 5’4″, 128lb pax, I find Comfort+ is my sweet spot. I was not comfortable in Premium Select and I simply won’t pay for Delta one. I am a regular, not frequent, flier in that I make 6-8 long haul (9+ hours) a year. (Personal attack redacted)
“Free” Upgrades is the only reason to have status. I was Diamond for years, then 1K on United, and MVP whatever on Alaska. Over the last 2 years being Delta Diamond, I NEVER ONCE got upgraded. I now fly whatever gets me there faster without stops, since delays are so common these days (thanks Mayor Pete). Bram – Based on the perfect grammar and professional writing style of your post, I would bet you work for Delta. Nice job gaslighting everyone.
As lifetime Gold, Rene should dump Delta. Fly Delta only when the price, schedule, and expected service is the best for your trip. Status has zero benefit except not boarding last, slightly higher miles earned per dollar spent, and possibly better irrops handling.
For others, maybe silver level is all one should hope to get but don’t go out of your way for that.
The pandemic causing me to lose status on multiple airlines was great. I am not hostage to any airline now. I am trying to burn miles then will be a free agent (burning miles requires that I fly a specific airline for the burning)
@Frankie – Giving up 75K of credit card spend that would net you 150-500K of pts/miles via SUB’s and better category bonuses or vs ~75K DL miles is a lot just to sit in a lounge that might be worth $700/year. Gold/Platinum would get you C+ @ ~100% also and the plat card gets you the companion pass. Unless you are traveling 2x or more a month I don’t see the ROI.
I am ATL captive and have done 800K BIS in the last 11 years, I have only flown DL 21 times for 26K miles total. (I am 80% international). I just refuse to participate in the Skyrupee program with typical 300K ow intl awards out of ATL. I have single handedly convinced 15+ coworkers & friends to downgrade to the Amex DL gold card and sock-drawer it, replacing it with the Amex MR earning Gold to get 4x and Amex plat for lounge access. I also give them cheat sheets on the coupon book to net the cost of those cards to close to zero.
When I do use Skyrupees it is only for EU-EU or EU-AS on partners. It’s the only place that gives me the minimum rebate that I demand from my spend from other programs.
I’m an ATL captive too and need to downgrade my biz amex reserve. Please help me. thank you!!
Call Amex and tell them you want to downgrade your card to the DL Amex Platinum or Gold. Or you can downgrade to a non-Delta Amex with no annual fee. Or just cancel.
SLC, million miller captive here. By spending an inordinate amount of time looking at options, I cashed out my remaining Delta miles balance this summer, and managed to get upgrades to C+. I am done. As a tall flier who cannot fit in today’s coach seats, I find discount carriers better. Some international carriers have better service and more leg room than C+, as low as 50% of the cost. So what if I need to pay $15 for food.
I have been using the same cards as you, along with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
JetBlue did a status match for me last year during one of Delta’s changes. With one intercontinental flight, and a few past flights with point pooling, we are using them for a direct flight to Hawaii.
We were often the only Mosaic members in the flights, and treated very well by the crew. They cut our favorite route, and botched four flights on that route. So we are cutting our last airline loyalty ties after years of unwinding.
The cards give other perks, but I find I save the most by not needing to buy the full travel insurance packages for international trips.
Hotels are just as bad. I thought we would use our last 100k of Bonvoy miles for Hawaii. I almost used Chase miles to top off a Marriott stay, until I realized I could stay at a better Hyatt, for less miles than it would take to top off at the cheapest Marriott property. Yikes!
This soon to be “General Member” (Jan. 1) has been enjoying AA EXP and UA Premier the last 2 years. This year, I think I’ve only ben on DL for 2 segments. AmEx and Delta clearly don’t value my business anymore so they don’t get it.
I understand the disappointment, but other airlines are doing the same thing. Travel has changed drastically since Covid. With airlines offering credit cards and earning miles from those credit card vendors, that has kept the airlines afloat. More and more people are traveling and many prefer to either pay to sit in a premium cabin or use money or miles (which are much higher than ever) many airlines suffered a shortage of pilots when the airlines falsely predicted, it would take a long time for travel to resume. When travel immediately resumed, they found themselves a shortage. When contracts expired, pilots had the upper hand. One airline in particular, puts their pilots deadheading above all paying passengers.
This pretty much guarantees elites zero access to upgrades. The times have changed and we just have to look at other avenues when trying to travel a premium cabin.
I understand the disappointment. Unfortunately, the airlines have to make a profit and they are not making a profit from free upgrades. Most airlines are making a profit from credit card vendors that they have agreements with. More and more people are traveling and more people are buying premium cabins. With the pilot shortage after Covid, the pilots have had the upper hand in their contract negotiations. Some airlines have given the pilots priority access to upgrades above all paying passengers regardless of status. Loyalty has disappeared years ago. Look at the mobile phone companies. Passengers Just have to look at a more creative way of trying to sit in a premium cabin.
I can argue both sides of the coin.
Does Mercedes give me a complimentary upgrade to a nicer model because I’ve been a good customer over the years? Of course they don’t.
But at the end of the day, Delta and the other airlines with similar loyalty schemes created this problem. Maybe they should just outright eliminate status tiers and mileage programs. What’s the real point when 53 passengers on a plane from Detroit to Dallas on a Tuesday are on the upgrade list for zero seats? It’s a complete farce.
Delta should have kept the old program and raised the number of MQMs for each tier while eliminating bonus MQMs. Diamond should have been 150,000 actual butt-in-seat miles.
The idea that passengers who fly 150,000 actual miles per year or do 125 individual segments aren’t rewarded because they only fly domestic within the Lower 48 and have to book an economy ticket is absurd. Just absurd.
I know my travel patterns have changed. I used to book trips with an extra segment or two. No more. I book nonstops or single connections as much as possible. There’s no point spending any extra time with Delta since the distance or segments flown doesn’t matter anymore. And there’s no rollover.
I’ll be diamond with the one-time rollover for several more years. As soon as I hit 2 million miles in early 2026 I’ll either retire from flying or drop my loyalty to Delta and fly whatever airline makes sense.
well they make just as much or more via delta amex cards. Not to mention it can be argued that domestic hub connectors cost them even more when compared to point to point fliers.
We had the dot com bubble then the housing bubble a long time ago. Can you remember the last market crash? For years now, we have been on the bubble everything. The day of reckoning is coming up and then Delta will be shitting in their pants! Just houses alone, it seems everyone wants a million+ for any house regardless of size or anything and even shake shacks (lol)! Anyone with assets have a hoard of cash and there are splurging on biz/first class. I am looking at biz on Delta to Japan this spring and every day it is 400,000+ miles! Even close in days (like tomorrow) Delta flights overseas are fully packed in biz (ppl splurging)!
Not once you check the seats I’m trying to take my daughter to Japan and I will not fly Delta when I can find a cheap business class deal on other airlines
I’m taking my daughter to Japan as well. Where are you finding cheap business class deals? I don’t see anything for less than $10,000 for 2 people during a week in March. For 340k miles for the two of us plus 4 global upgrade certificates for first class and premium select, I’m more than happy to stick with Delta.
Also, Delta’s corporate leadership under Bastian are like Louis XVI and his court Versailles. They are so isolated from their customers. Just look at all the issues they’ve had. And literally no change in attitude or public comments.
My now-former boss was a 2 million miler and a diamond every year since the tier was created. In 2023, he stopped flying Delta. Complete cold turkey. He switched to American and is now concierge key with American. Delta never once called him or emailed him. You would think someone in customer service or revenue management would have a file on the top customers and notice when someone suddenly stops flying with Delta.
@FNT – Comment of the year!
Can Delta really just lose customers who spend $50,000+ a year without blinking an eye?
Do their financial results show them losing money as a result of the changes?
THIS is the point.
Our office has five 2MM, DIA folks and all of us cut back and Everyone settled that LTPlat will be fine and dropped AmEx cards. None of us have been contacted asking why.
And I can confirm that RUC’s haven’t been triggering on longer domestic flights very often, including on A330’s. Last week RT Atl-Phx still ended #1 on list, after 25 open 5 days out, 15 open seats 2 days out, and 10 one day out. They sold all those upgrades day of? Sorry folks but something is off when DIA on list w RUC don’t make it this late in year.
We fill in our post flight surveys complaining and none of us hear back.
This article is spot on! When Delta celebrates ‘selling’ 88% of premium seats …there is nothing to debate regarding upgrades – regardless of status. I am Diamond for ROY2024 and 2025 … but I am done w loyalty to Delta and Amex starting in 2025.
It’s a game and I think Delta was too heavy handed in their favor with their loyal flyers.
Candidly, I think I will enjoy the freedom of being free from Delta and Amex.
I will miss the Delta Skyclubs – but I can buy those as needed.
Yes, I am quite done with Delta. I only fly them if they have the schedule I’m looking for. I was on the INC to ATL flight last week and observed many empty seats. I think Delta corporate is out of tune with their passenger markets and preferences. I had Medallion status for a few years and enjoyed it, so much so I would go out of my way to fly Delta, sometimes just day trips to reach
my status goal. I am ready to get rid of my Delta Gold.AX card, it’s not worth the 150.00
annual fee just for free checked bags. Thanks Delta for the bait and switch tactics. I’m smarter than that.
I gained DM status for the first time very early this year. I travel a lot for business east to west coast and the flights are long. I have never been upgraded to FC as a Diamond. I have never scored a seat in the 5 day in advance period, even when they are many available. The “perk” might as well not exist; they only assign those right at the gate, when they have identified that literally no other human is going to buy them. If I wait that long, they are all gone so I am part of the problem – I upgrade with miles early. I have also posted before about the upgrade certs. I managed to use all mine this year (4 from being PM last year), but in past years I have had many expire being unable to use them. I think they only allow 1 lucky lottery winner per flight to use those! They are not perks if they can’t actually be used. Ditto on the companion seats – there are almost no flights where you can use those. The program is actually sort of feeling a little fraudulent at this point …..
I made Diamond only once and that 10+ years ago. It was fun going to the airport with a reasonable chance of getting upgraded to First. But I value Platinum status for the almost automatic C+ upgrades and because I can book award travel well in advance and change my booking for free several times if award prices or travel plans change. And I still consider Delta superior to any of the three other big airlines that serve IND. Flying United often requires connecting at O’Hare, where, due to rain or something undisclosed, I’ve twice had to sleep on an Army cot in a concourse from 2am to 5am. And flying American similarly can require connecting at O’Hare westbound or Charlotte southbound. Last year, we saved money by having a cruise line book our flights. Our AA return flight required an inbound international connection at PHL. I will try my best to never experiencing that again. [I have no experience with domestic connections at PHL.]
I fly about 70 legs a year and so I’m not necessarily a super frequent flyer. My son is a Delta pilot and I can even non-rev, If there’s space available, which there isn’t. I mostly fly between two very busy airports and I’ve taken to flying Sun Country more often because of the price point. I typically don’t fly with bags, so even The medallion status and the reserve card don’t mean much to me. The only reason for the reserve card was to get the lounge visits…. And no, I probably won’t fly enough to even use my allotment annually.
From my perspective, it seems like Delta doesn’t care because they’re paid. Customers seem to be up high enough to fill their flights, so they shouldn’t make any changes for me or anyone else… Just understand, when a recession hits and the transportation traffic reduces, the only thing that’s going to hold value will be loyalty and Delta’s killing the goose laying the golden egg. It’s all going to be pay-per-play and people will choose a lower price point over convenience when things get tight. …. Then I suppose we’ll be talking about another airline bailout.
What ever happened to the hot towels in FC?!?
Or the pillows and blankets. Or the hot bread with meals.
Bread disappeared before the pandemic, but the hot towels, pillows and blankets all fell victim to the pandemic.
Now, I’ve noticed snack baskets are scaled back.
@FNT – But but but they are a PREMIUM airline!!!
Delta has shifted to a credit card company without letting FF know it. I feel sorry for up and coming , 20/30 something’s trying to travel and work as early road warriors we were, and Haley absolutely no status benifit, when their companies purchase the tickets .
Bastion and Delta have screwed the pooxh on this one and are driving a good airline , with formerly loyal following into the ground.
Who counts more in the end and brings more business (revenue and profits) stockholders or customers ?
Wake up and treat clients better Eddie boy!
We know delta reads this so please wise up.
I much prefer sitting next to someone who paid for their first class ticket than those who were upgraded. I can always tell. Free upgrades and employees in first class need to be completely gutted. I would rather sit next to an empty seat then an accountant who travels for work doesn’t pay for any of their travel and is demanding everything under the sun on our 3 hour flight. Nothing like sitting next to an empty seat to have agents pull the cow out of cattle class and put them next to me or my husband.
Wow Joan. I hope to never have the pleasure of sitting on a plane with your energy anywhere near me.
I hope you do your own taxes. 😉
Great comment Chris
Awful comment. If a person is upgraded to first class, someone somewhere paid money to get there. Which is kind of the point of this whole article. Complaing about an accountant? Really?
That comment shows how special you see yourself. No one flying commercial deserves to sit by you and you need to stop thinking you are better than everyone else. Your rudeness shows how classless you actually are!
How about upgrading an active duty soldier to sit next to you in first class, Joan? Would you feel the same way for someone who’s volunteered to lay their life on the line to defend your rights? (Personal attack redacted)
Hahaha if you’re so fancy why are you flying commercial airlines with the rest of the plebes? Get a private jet (person attack redacted).
I much prefer sitting next to someone who paid for their first class ticket than those who were upgraded. I can always tell. Free upgrades and employees in first class need to be completely gutted. I would rather sit next to an empty seat then an accountant who travels for work doesn’t pay for any of their travel and is demanding everything under the sun on our 3 hour flight. Nothing like sitting next to an empty seat to have agents pull the cow out of cattle class and put them next to me or my wife.
It seems that you and your wife Joan really can complete each other’s sentences!
I know what you mean though, but in a little less harsh language.
I buy first to have a quieter and more subdued travel experience than that offered by the jostling in coach. It always bums me out when somebody gets pulled up and thinks oh great, now I’m in first and can drink 6 Woodford Reserves on a 1.5 hour flight at 6am.
Then again, that was me one time. And that’s how they get their hooks into you.
You’re hard pressed to get 1 alcoholic drink per hour and don’t be surprised that your “dedicated” flight attendant will pour 1/2-5/8ths of the alcohol of your second and additional drinks in the garbage. Nothing more infuriating paying first class freight and getting a “lite” pour. It’s gets tiring asking for the bottle to mix your own.
You should be flying AA.
You would never be able to tell that I was upgraded, I ask for almost nothing when I’m flying, regardless of class. I’ve also heard of rich brats traveling in first class which they paid for, asking for everything under the sun.
@Glen Gronseth. Since covid everyone can cancel award tickets at no charge (except for BE and flights originating outside North America but even then I’ve been able to cancel these for free). Yes a huge perk of hitting PM used to be free mileage redeposit but it’s no longer just restricted to PM/DM.
Maybe, someday, there will be more supply than demand. Looks like it will have to be drop in demand as I don’t see any new airlines coming. When that happens, maybe we have a chance to show our loyalty. Until, then .. we are at airlines mercy. Its the old bear joke, they don’ t have to be “faster than the bear”, they only have to “faster than other airlines” i.e. Delta only has to be better than AA … and they are.
It is true that Delta doesn’t have enough first-class and international business-class seats. The 350s that replaced the 747s has fewer Delta One seats. Domestically, most of the aircraft could probably take another two rows of first-class.
I have heard but have no proof that 1/3 of Deltas profit comes from their Amex partnership. Seems you would try and keep all of your customers who were significantly impacting profitability.
Cool off people.This is not the end of the world. If Delta does it, the other US majors will follow. They must think that they will make more money from leisure and paying passengers. It kind of makes sense.
I noticed a rather sudden and steep drop off in upgrades around 2018 and I just stopped pursuing them altogether at that time.
I enjoyed freeing myself from the agony of watching the upgrade list on the TV monitors with the other gate lice (this is before the upgrade list had come to the app).
For the five or six years prior, I had a near 100% upgrade rate on 100-125 segments a year. This included international routes not technically available. Now, on the odd segments that I don’t purchase first outright because of a poor value proposition, I’m rarely upgraded even as a 3MM, Diamond, Reserve holder.
No longer pursuing upgrades is a gentle step on the road to free agency. 🙂
I’m not hub captive (NYC Metro) but hadn’t flown anyone but Delta since 2008. Gues who I just flew last week? United. Have the Infinite Card and my wife gets in the club every time as my guest. No (15) visit limit…no need for guest passes…every time. Hmmm…
I’m 2025 DM. I considered that in 2025, in addition to regular flying I take some mileage runs and increase Delta AmEx spending to qualify for 2026 DM. But now that makes no sense. As a 2MM I’m PM for life and will still get the instant C+ and other perks. It’s clear that regardless of PM vs DM, FC upgrades will almost never happen. Rather than invest in making DM for 2026, I’ll take that money and spend it on FC buy-ups or the soon-to-be unbundled FC fares. Also, shop for FC deals on other carriers – free agency has it’s privileges. I’ll fly FC, and I’ll know in advance that I’m flying FC. Party bonus: my guess is that the total amount I’ll spend on these FC flights will be less expensive than investing in mileage runs and other things to achieve DM 2026.
The Delta of today is certainly worse than the Delta of 10 years ago but I can’t book a flight on the Delta of 10 years ago. My choices are the diminished Delta of today or other domestic carriers of today that are worse than Delta. Diedra is right – the other airlines are doing the same thing but at least my experience with Delta is that their product is better.
I visit a client in a city primarily served by American so over the last few years, I fly American a couple times a year. Almost 50% of my American flights were cancelled or significantly delayed. Over the same period flying much more frequently on Delta, I only had a couple cancelled flights and few delays (thankfully I was not flying Delta in July this year).
I am a Million Miler and have been Platinum for years. I still find my status valuable. 95% of the time I get C+ at booking and about 20% of my flights get FC upgrades. (I just got the notification from Delta that I was upgraded to FC for my Thanksgiving trip next week.)
I try to do what is reasonable, I am not chasing Diamond. Last month on an ATL-LHR flight, I was booked in Premium Select and was able to purchase Delta One for $500. While I mourn the loss of the Delta I remember, I am going to stick with this Delta until the are no longer the best choice I have.
@GP – A most rational and reasonable statement. I think the key is, as you say, not chasing status as we once did.
Good, maybe employees will get some of their perks back. When it was NorthWest, employees got upgraded. Since it’s been Delta, greedy medallion whiners took it away. You shouldn’t get free upgrades for being a rewards member, use your points to upgrade that’s what they are for!!!
@Chris – You are so cute. You think Delta CEO or President cares more about you than dollars and stock buyback$? 😉
Maybe you aren’t flying the right routes?
I’m a captive American Airlines flier, Exec Platinum for years and years now, 3 million miler. AA’s “Loyalty” program has gone exactly the same way, and I’m finding myself in exactly the same situation as the author’s with Delta.
Bottom line is that the airlines no longer care one bit about the original loyalty customer – the ones who put in the miles in the seats. As you point out, it’s all about the $ now. The only perk left with AA’s EP program is the dedicated phone number and agents working EP issues. That’s worth something, although I rather doubt it will be around either.
Fortunately, I have already earned my status for next year, and it will most likely be the last year I need to chase status with any airline. Retirement is around the corner!
hit diamond this year for the first time. my regional upgrades have always hit and I just got a complimentary FC upgrade on sea->jfk red-eye this Sunday.
so, keep coping with articles expressing faux outrage. truth is, those of us who spend money with the airline are being rewarded. those of you riding ROY and amex are not.
Your n of 1 isn’t particular significant. Some people here have been Diamond and above since the tier was introduced and flown thousands of segments.
@Seat 1b – If you can buy 1st always this does not apply to you@
I stopped in 2020. I was playing for upgrades almost every time anyway. I think Delta thinks they can get away with it because they’re a premier airline but I’ve realized on a lot of routes out of New York (California and a lot of international destinations) competitors had much better products anyway. Delta has by far the best regular domestic first product but can’t compete on prestige routes.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
So many people are either saying “So what?” or congratulating Delta for screwing them over (I don’t understand it either) by saying this is great.
What Delta is somehow missing is that they’re directly incentivizing their best and most loyal customers to drop that loyalty and just get a Delta credit card which provides mid-tier boarding and a free checked bag. Without free upgrades, what motivation is there to be a high level member – the amazing award chart?
Isn’t the purpose of a corporation to make a profit? This is not a social service agency. Solution to customer complaints: become a shareholder. This will change your perspective.
@Smith – Warren Buffet sold all his Delta stock and I never buy DAL or any other airline stock! Oh and rewarding loyal flyers is not a gift it drives spending. The loss of upgrades drives me to spend on other airlines and many other readers are stating the same.
I really appreciate the pesos who wrote the article about delta
Well Rene, et al, Delta has a rich history of changing the rules and overall flight experience, and I’m not just talking about leveraging the pandemic to do away with the small perks that other contributors have mentioned. Remember the Flying Colonel program of the 1980s? It was offered as an invitation-only, lifetime privilege, and included not only enhanced upgrade opportunities but also lifetime Crown Room (the old name for the lounges) membership, with the operative word being ‘lifetime’. Well, when DL got into a profit squeeze a few decades ago, it was decided that the airline would certainly go flailing into receivership unless they curtailed those lounge visits by customers who met the rather stringent criteria to garner such a coveted invitation from the airline. As others have pointed out, as a hub hostage, there’s not a lot I can do about it though. I guess lifetime doesn’t mean lifetime…
You are very upset that you are not getting something for free. I’m in the same boat but not as upset about it.
I fly weekly, and mostly out of a delta hub. There is comfort in knowing I can call the special phone number, not wait, and change my plans for free.
It is worth a few extra dollars for that comfort. I have seen their prices go way beyond a few extra dollars now (which will go even higher if spirit stops flying). I now book about 30% of my flights on other carriers and hold my breath that i don’t need change… but i wouldn’t ‘expect them’ for free.
I dont wait for any upgrades, I need to go online for business and personal and buy my qst class tickets, I get some benefit from platinum Medallion but I won’t spend any time trying for any after the fact upgrades, life is too short, time is too expensive/monetized value to not just get the seat up front…
When I switched jobs, I no longer had to travel and that changed perspective a lot. I free agent now, out of THE Delta hub, ATL. No one ever seems to get upgraded out of ATL anyway. There are 40 people on an upgrade list for 2 seats. And it’s not just Delta. You can rarely get into a Priority Pass lounge any more. They all say “oh, we have a 3 hour wait”- coincidentally the amount of time lost travelers are at the airport early? Huh. So you have to look and figure out what you expect of a rewards program and mine is free flights. I have a Capital One Venture X that has paid for itself many times over and you can book Delta thru the portal for extra CC points, then use those points for a Flying Blue ticket that…flies on Delta. You can cash in your Skymiles for a flight when your balance lines up. But lounge and upgrades aren’t happening on any airline right now, so do what works best for you. I’m flying BE on AA on my next flight- $400 less than Delta for a 2 hour flight.
I mostly pay for my first class seats, just easier. DL medallion status is not what it used to be. I can’t even get the flight attendants to take my sports/suit jacket to hang up, and when they do, they more often forget to return it before the jetbridge gets there upon landing. Sadly, with all the credit card access, may lounges have long lines/waits when you tend to need the lounge most.
For all of you who value flying DL because you can always count on free upgrades to C+, do you realize that Delta will be coming after you next. As a lifetime DM, 4 MM, I know that soon, we’ll have to pay for immediate access to a C+ seat. Or, be placed on a wait list that will “award” a C+ seat in priority order. This won’t end with elimination of FC upgrades. DL acknowledged that C+ seats are hard to get, so the best way to make them more difficult to obtain is to charge for them….
Living in Detroit….welllllll. Delta is getting way out of hand with everything.
I fly loads due to work. I can spend less flying on them from other major cities connecting through the D to get to my international destination. Than I can on that same flight directly from Detroit. ( That is including flying one way to ORD MSP or DEN again to connect through Detroit. Or take the train, rent a car etc. Savings have been on average $700 )
Now the medallion status I was one of those who complained often to them and felt like I help them step some of it back but yes it is $#!t now. I am happy I have a choice may not be as convient all the time but if Delta is no longer willing to fork something over for my loyalty with the high PRICES that I have often paid for just to have that status I will be flying their competitors.
It is obvious they want to be the airline for the ultra wealthy. Let’s see how that works out for them when PAX load in the back decline.
Hopefully other will do the same. Maybe they will start treating their customers properly.
I used to do the Chicago and Toronto trick quite a bit. Sometimes originating there for an international business-class ticket on Delta metal was $2,500-$3,000 cheaper.
As a frequent international business traveler who used to be diamond every year, it’s become nearly impossible to keep my status. I am fortunate that my company allows me to choose my travel airlines (within reason) and always made it a point to fly sky team and delta as a priority. But I’ve given up on that and I haven’t flown delta or sky team internationally since 2020. I guess that’s the business they’re willing to give up?
As the CEO of a consulting and technology company I have traveled the world and been at the highest levels across Delta,Marriott, Hilton.etc for over 25 years. I quit chasing status a long time ago. I give away my points to those in need. It’s a sad state of affairs. Luxury now is flying private and staying in luxury homes instead of praying for an upgrade or getting a suite. They do not care anymore.
Ran group travel company for 26 years. Delta FF plan has always been the worst. That is why I have millions in Ak and UA.. few in Delta and not planning on more. They shine 20% and S**k 80%
My wife tried to use her upgrade certificates on a flight from MSP to CUN and couldn’t get upgraded. She has more that will expire by the end of the year, and she won’t get a chance to use them.
Wish I could read your content. It seems well-thought out and relevant to my interests. But the ads here make your content completely unreadable. Trying to scroll bumps me all around. Am I the only one? Mobile experience. May be worth looking at some replays via HotJar or FullStory.
We’ll take it into consideration. Thank you!
I have Diamond Medallion status through 2027; thus far. I’m not sure what I get for that designation other than unlimited Sky Club admission. Most of the MQM’s have been obtained through using the Reserve Card.
And now that MQM are eliminated…
I flew to and from Miami from DC a few weeks ago, and I got free first-class upgrades on all four segments. It doesn’t happen all the time but it does happen. For my most recently booked trip, I used a regional upgrade for one way and the cheap upgrade offers for the other two because I wanted to ensure I got the upgrades in time to book a special meal. It is correct that getting free upgrades is no longer as easy as it was. That is because the technology that we all know and love (most of the time) and rely on, has also helped airlines like Delta to do what they were unable to do for decades, which is to operate like a business, making profits and not defaulting on their bills by declaring chapter 11.
As a Diamond member, I also appreciate the Global Upgrades, the other money-saving choice benefits, the free upgrades to Comfort+, the appreciation of my business that I get most of the time, the fact that executives help me when needed, etc.
I’m shocked that you are surprised (and angry?) that a company would find ways to maximize their revenue. They are a business. You don’t make money by giving things away for free. You complain that the customers who buy the upgrades “are part of the problem.” No, they are the ones who take advantage of opportunities to upgrade at a discount. I’m one of them myself. We are the smart and savvy customers who don’t pay full price for first costing hundreds more than coach but will snag a $70 or $120 upgrade and watch you walk past us to coach while sipping our cocktails (like you used to do to us lol).
@Mark – I encourage you to look at this Delta commercial and then you may understand that rewarding 100% loyal customers with upgrades is a wise business model. https://eyeoftheflyer.com/2015/01/11/delta-2012-tv-commercial-comes-back-bite-airline-careful-say/
Why should Delta give away something that could be sold? They are in business to make a profit. Medallions still have a chance for the “leftovers” just as before. Delta has just found a way to offer upgrades for a reduced price before they give away the seats for free. There are still lots of other perks and privileges to take advantage of, as others have mentioned, such as Sky Club access, priority assistance during delays, etc.
It’s interesting that my 1st reply hasn’t been posted. I guess the mods don’t like differing opinions? Anyway, let’s see if this gets approved. lol
Comments sometimes make their way to spam, so that’s entirely possible.
And welcome to the blog! I know you’re a new reader because you say we don’t approve comments that disagree with us. That’s not the case.
I don’t mind Delta selling upgrades but they don’t sell them at the same price to all customers, let alone offer them to all customers. There is zero transparency.
@FNT Delta Diamond How do you know what prices are being offered to different people? Also, do you understand that no two strangers on a plane are paying essentially the same fare for the same type of seat/same cabin? Nonstop vs connecting itineraries, 21 day advance vs last minute fares – there are a zillion combinations of price points. If you are expecting the people sitting in 23A and 30C, or even 2A and 4D to be paying the same price for their tickets, you’re in for a shock! (“but they don’t sell them at the same price to all customers”) Why should 23A, who paid $199 for their seat pay the same for their upgrade as 30C who paid $375 for their seat?
I have found that there’s a difference in the upgrade price and rebooking onto the same flight in the higher cabin. Sometimes I’ve played around and compared the upgrade price via the seat map vs rebooking into first onto the same flight and the price can be better via rebooking. You have to play the game to win!
I will never fly Delta again. Thye treat their passengers like peasants unless they are seated in first class.
Doesn’t seem surprising, if the light bulb switched that by lowering the price of premium slightly they’d get more people to pay for them, it seems like a good business plan. There really isn’t any need for loyalty in either direction, everything is transactional. I’ve been lucky to be upgraded about 50% of the time the past couple years on Delta but it’s a perk, not an expectation.
When I read these whiners, I always wonder what percentage of these people actually PAY for their flights completely. I would guess most are not. Most are paid by an employer, or if it is their own business, they deduct the flight from their taxes. I would ask either of those groups, does your company give away something they can sell for free just because? Is the loyalty really loyalty of somebody else is footing the bill. The fact that you spent that much effort chasing “levels” entitled thinking at its worst. The airline doesnt OWE you an upgrade. What you are thinking is, my employer bought this main cabin seat and now I want an upgrade because I want it. How about you PAY for it like the rest of the world
Yes–many companies that give a (redacted) give away things for free or give perks, favors, and rewards to loyal customers. Life isn’t all about pure profit at every cost. People like you think pay toilets, toll roads, private schools, and privatized health care are all a great idea. Get private roads, private security, and fly private jets. Fine if you’re rich. (Redacted) everyone else, huh? That’s not a society, and for a long time, that hasn’t been the standard for good business. When profit trumps quality, customer satisfaction, loyalty, service, and community, we’re in a bad spot. You say just pay for it, stupid. Well, if that’s how it always is, then how far are we really from “might makes right” thinking? What’s to stop someone from saying “why pay for it when i can just take it by force?” Civility, good will, and rewards are worth more than you think. You won’t like the alternative if people keep getting gouged at every turn for every single product and service they need.
For all the people complaining. Delta is making record profits and is carrying more passangers. Delta FFers who want a free upgrade are not happy, but the airline is doing fine without your business. If you want to fly F or J, pay for it like everyone else has to do. Frequent flier programs are not loyalty programs, but revenue generation programs for the airlines.
After flying Delta for more than 30 years (becoming a skymile memberin the early 80’s), I too walked away at the end of last year. It was the result of the culmination of the reduction overall value of the program for me. I now diversify my travel options among all the carriers basing it on purely travel cost. There are some who are critical of that approach and I respect that opinion, however in the end it’s my money and I believe like any wise person I will only pay for what I see is the value of the service.
Since Delta (as most of the airlines) only care about how much money they can get from me, and not the loyalty I have shown even when I didn’t live in a hub, there is no incentive for me to continue to make them a priority. While I understand most people focus on the lack of upgrades, as I said previously for me it’s the overall lack of value and the need to “monetize” every bit of the Flying experience as well as the general reduction in good personalized customer service. I have come to understand I am just a commodity, a butt n the seat, and as such loyalty is irrelevant to them.
Once you come to that understanding, you don’t get mad, you just open up your options. When I diversified my options at the beginning of the year I found that all the major airlines are basically the same with maybe one or two different quirks. So until one can truly stand out, I’m good to continue for the next year with this approach.
Spot on
As a Platinum Medaillon Member – couldn’t agree more. Loyalty to Delta doesn’t make any sense anymore – and that’s coming from a frequent Delta hub DTW flyer. Starting next year, I will fly Lufthansa DTW –> FRA for business. Any other leisure flights ill also avoid Delta unless Delta has a clear value proposition – which they almost always do not. Flights are usually significantly more and the product is marginally better at best. Unfortunately, this trend with Delta will continue until enough consumers make them feel the pain.
After the change to pure spend and the constant reduction of service, I’ve been prioritizing flight time over my diamond benefits, since somehow every Delta flight is overbooked. I’ve been flying cheaper with more personal space on other carriers with better service and less travel time.
Why would I continue to pay for a premium service for a low quality experience as they cut away everything that made them premium. I’ve had some cancellations and extreme delays from Delta for reasons 100% in their control, yet takes 6 hours to decide that we can’t keep delaying 15 minutes at a time to slow contract of carriage requirements before admitting you’re not getting there faster than you can drive at 4AM, 18 hours delayed
Which airline(s) are you enjoying?
Diamond Medallion since 2015. Delta ticket prices on the routes i fly are up 75% from 4 years ago. It’s virtually impossible to find flights under 6 cents per mile. Yes, the service and on-time arrival are excellent. But on Delta you can forget about using Regional Upgrade certs. You’ll need Globals for domestic upgrades. I’ll take Aero Mexico any day. Far superior food, ticket price, MQDs, and Sky Miles. 2-3-4 times the MQDs are earned along with 3 times the Sky Miles. Delta A330-300 D-1 food last week DTW-HNL was no better than domestic first class. Aero Mexico 787 Dreamliner food MEX-GRU is gourmet. No window shades on the Dreamliner, simply push a button to darken the window. There’s also an open bar (with food) in the middle of the front cabin. I’m Diamond through 2030 with my MQM conversion but I’ll fly First Class Aero Mexico whenever I can instead of waiting for non-existent upgrades on Delta. Aero Mexico First Class MCO-MEX-TIJ instead of Delta MCO-(ATL/JFK-DTW/MSP/SEA/LAX)-SAN.
It definitely isn’t only Delta. As an Executive Platinum flier on American, upgrades that are advertised at 100 hours prior to flight time are more and more held until day of flight.
And using miles to fly? 1 1/2 years ago my wife and I flew Business Class overseas for $120k miles each. Those same tickets today are 700k miles each, or more.
It is insane. So we’ll purchase coach, pay for upgrade when ‘reasonable’ or use mileage upgrades overseas until our 1,000,0000 miles are used up, but we will purchase flights on the lower cost airlines for all travel moving forward.
Airlines want our loyalty, yet have zero loyalty to their longtime loyal customers.
I have noticed I never get upgraded on Delta and boy I do love Delta but this makes me think twice. I flew United yesterday and was upgraded to first class on both legs. I have probably flown United 4 times this whole year and flown Delta over 40 times. I think United wants my business more.
Delta, like all airlines, is a financial services company that happens to fly airplanes