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

Sit down and crack 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. (I also received a couple of 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 one 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 ordering 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 need them.

The “Problem” with Have One On Us Certificates

Geez! Complain, complain, complain! you may say. A blogger whining about free stuff! (Though, in this case, it would be “wining” 😉 )

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

• Not all Medallions (or other HOOU coupon holders) drink alcohol
  • I personally know Medallions who are recovering alcoholics. HOOUs in their current form aren’t the best gift for them.
• Medallions can get upgraded to Comfort+ or First Class — where drinks are free. The coupons are worthless.
• Not every Delta flight serves alcoholic beverages 

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

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

It would be great if HOOUs could be redeemable for the Flight Fuel premium snack boxes.

Making coupons redeemable for Flight Fuel boxes would be a great way to acknowledge SkyMiles members who don’t drink alcohol. And, in general, passengers who don’t receive 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 $200 airline fee credits run out on our The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Enrollment required. Terms apply.). 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

Most Sky Clubs have staffed bars offering complimentary and premium alcoholic beverages. The latter, of course, carry a charge.

Three forms of payment are accepted at Delta Sky Club bars:

• 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 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 Reserve to Old Forester. Or Silver Oak to whatever house red is uncorked.)

I don’t know how many Medallions have access to Delta Sky Clubs through a qualifying American Express card 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.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.