It is somewhat fitting that today I am starting a 5 day mileage run. After all, so much has changed and is continuing to change going forward. And yet some things are staying the same as I have just the other day booked my first two mileage runs under Skymiles2015!
I mean when I was a “young lad” flying NWA and thrilled to get a free ride now and then I had no idea what was to come. I clearly remember the ridiculous thrill of getting a bump in CVG and getting $800 each and sitting in a hotel room just giddy with joy and watching Lisa smile when I said “we just got $1600 and dinner and a hotel to go the next day“! I was ecstatic. Then, the next day, it got better. They were over sold again. I almost had an accident I was so happy. But then it all went south. A connecting flight did not make it and the plane was almost empty. Sadness. But then, I asked for an upgrade after being so willing to help. Granted. I stayed up all night long and enjoyed my first adult business class ride to Europe. I was hooked.
Then my life REALLY changed. I found Rick Ingersol. Yeah, I know he has changed a great many lives. Oh my. I then ran a few hundred thousand in mint coins (Hey, many ran millions! I was small time)! I got on two Delta Reserve cards 60k MQMs in a few months (EZ when you are buying $29,000 in coins per order). Oh those were the days. Then the flood of travel cards of every flavor. I was applying for more cards than I could have dreamed of and they were all approved. Points were pouring in faster than I could spend. This had to end – then it didn’t!
Then I stumbled onto the Skymall deal. For you who missed that, ah hem, they HAD to get rid of millions upon millions of miles because Delta told them to (ask me some time if you want to know even more). The result was me being the point portal for the promotion only a few weeks into my blogging life. I helped Skymall to unload HUNDREDS of millions of Delta points in about 6 hours and my blog exploded and has not slowed down since.
It has been really fun to be a part of Boarding Area. I wish you readers could know how amazing these folks are. I mean Randy is just a force on his own but those who work for him are some of the best folks I have ever worked with – EVER. Then there are my fellow bloggers like MJ, Michael, PM&M, Jen, Adam, Greg, Gary, Ben, Stefan, Summer, BG Glenn & the rest of the gang of many. Others who are new but I’ve known for years like Kathy, Jamie and Chris. So many outstanding people and stunningly good bloggers with so much knowledge it makes my head spin. I wish you could all know them like I do. I hope you go to a DO or an FTU and meet them. Then many of the folks at Delta – you folks know who you are and a treasure knowing you all.
Back to history. I remember the shock at 1000 e-mail subscribers. Then 2k. Then breaking 50k in pageviews for a month. Then hitting 1 million pageveiws for the year. Now, between the two blogs (oh yeah starting another big blog), soon hitting ¼ million pageviews each month boggles the mind. Numbers get crazy but it is so fun to have so many along for the entire ride and so many new folks just finding the blog and enjoying sharing all things Delta good and bad (gosh I hope we get more good than bad next year)!
Lastly we have my ride with Delta. Delta, as a traveler, treats me VERY well. I would not have stayed this loyal to Delta had the program been a challenge to get value out of if the airline had not been just THAT GOOD! I, since I do take the time it takes, have always seen value. I think for me, and for readers, 2015 will be amazing. We can with many tricks and efforts, collect insane amounts of points and Delta will at the same time reward us with more open low level seats than ever before. If I did not believe this I would not have banked nearly 1 million Skymiles by this point in the year! I think I have made the right call and will really enjoy spending all those SkyGOLD points very soon.
I really could make this a book. I am so happy that today I am starting a full week of flying my Delta. I will be in ATL, CVG, DTW, DFW, DEN, SFO & SBN. I hope if you see me along the way you will stop and say HI. I love what I do and thank you all for taking the time to read the blog each day! – René
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Congratulations! 🙂
Congrats on the run. I’ve been reading your blog for about 2 years or so. I still have my Deltapoints luggage tag on my carry-on bag. I enjoy it and show it off all the time. It’s ironic that I don’t fly Delta much anymore. I think they are a good airline but just don’t offer me the routes I need for business these days.
when will you be in ATL this week? I will be there on Wednesday the 19th from 1:30 – 3:00 PM,
Wish I had known – I would have matched the run with you! Have Fun!
What? Delta Points Luggage tags?
Hi Rene:
Congrats on the anniversary, I hope you keep it up for a long time into the future.
As many readers have probably told you, your insights, tips and overall well thought-out explanation of everything Delta has been an eye opener for me. As a purely leisure traveler based in the ATL, you showing the way for me to become Platinum is fantastic.
We get upgrades, free EC seats, Skyclub access, Sky priority boarding, platinum phone line support and all the other things you talk about just by knowing what to do, which way to spend and what credit card to carry. My business was spending the money anyway, now it’s returning unlimited benefits to me as we have Platinum elite status. No more just getting AMEX Membership Rewards points and transferring them to my Skymiles account, your suggested MQM earning techniques work me.
Yeah I could spend a lot of my time reading all the fine print and poring over Delta’s web site trying to figure it out but your blog gives the right details in a short format, Delta Points is the most relevant information site for me in my air travel pursuits.
Thanks again!
Safe travels Rene and thanks for the great blogs! And yes Poor Old Dave luggage tags! Mine didn’t make it thru my last trip, must have gotten hung up on machinery or spotted by an angry Delta employee (just kidding never seen a truly angry employee).
I did serious reflection and my daily reminders from Deltas new top bosses keep on shouting the same thing everywhere you turn! “The Hell with our Medallion Members we ARE HERE TO MAKE MONEY. they HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!” i AM Tired OF having Delta take take take and give no more! Most upgrades are now held to sell until last minute soon they will be gone. The choice of the great snack pack when checking in in coach in lieu of alcohol GONE, Routine upgrades GONE, 2016 increased requirements to make medallion growing, Even now when calling Diamond Medallion line I get RECORDING!!! We busy we can call you back in 5 minutes!! The worst and most shocking is now in Sky club, which will no longer be free for a Diamond or their guest when you enter We are now instructed by check in staff we must scan our own boarding passes OMG WHAT!! I am leaving, Tired of this and only if we do in numbers will Deltas elite Corporate Gurus quickly come to their senses. We need Renee to lead and all of us sign and present to American we all switch if they give us a pure full year Status match and they must match Diamond to their top level not the current one below! American is desperate for Customers and now the time we can as a group for our joining and loyalty the give us a full year status and match Diamond to their top level. If you stay with Delta it is only going to get worse, Pay more get less and tuff if u don’t like it! American told me they don’t match Diamond to their top tier unless we could get a group to move over they would make an exception!!! You’re thoughts?
Thanks Robert
Rene. You are a true Gem!
Many wishes for your continued success! You are a 5 star general, and standard bearer for your loyal blog readers! Have fun flying about !
I do sure wish I could join you on a mile run or that long talked about # DELDOO
Haha maybe a different name would be more inviting !
When are you in SFO Rene? I hit there Wed night.