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Oh Delta, you just had to mess with everything and make our lives worse in 2025. What am I talking about? As Chris posted here, they are rebranding seat names and creating subcategories for each. In an effort to what? you ask? Chris also had a follow-up post boiling down the stupidity into a simple-to-understand summary.
While I am ambivalent over the changes because I got smart enough over the past few years to see that chasing elite status is no longer worth it and the promises really are like grabbing the wind, I also am seeing what is a change that others likely have missed (more on this in a bit).
For many years, TPG (the travel blog The Points Guy) has been one of the most Delta “rah rah!” sites on the internet. They have given TPG Awards to Delta and SkyMiles as the best of the best of the best and as amazing as chocolate (OK, I made the last part up. But you get the idea).
The result of this Delta lovefest has been that the airline has rewarded the website with exclusive tours of new jets, Sky Clubs, and “embargoed” information regarding all kinds of changes. The latter allows blogs and news sites that get this type of privileged info to prepare in advance a post and even ask questions to be fully prepared when the information is allowed to go live.
But TPG also, perhaps due to the endless praise of everything Delta, had for a while one major free advertising perk. When you boarded a Delta plane, TPG’s logo was displayed rather prominently near the aircraft’s door.
But this special benefit has now ended.
You see, TPG has, for the first time in who knows how long, started to not say Delta is the best of everything. In fact, in the latest round of best airlines and award programs, Delta – shockingly – did not win the top spot.
I was stunned. I mean, how egregious do Delta devaluations need to be to not have TPG yelling how great you are? Have there been repercussions for not gushing praise on Delta?
Just take a look:
Delta is updating the “brag billboard” on the side of the jets and has now removed the TPG logo that was so notably featured.
OUCH!
I am not shocked by this as I have, as a Delta-focused blogger for over a decade, seen the reaction to my posts that are often critical of the airline and call them out when they make ugly changes. Even when I was looked upon as a “Delta Fanboy” and did get special treatment, I still pointed out what needed to be improved or changed. As Delta made years of negative changes to the award currency as well as the elite program, and I blogged about them all, I no longer have the perks I once had with Delta as a blogger. Chris has had a bit better luck with occasional invites to media previews. The on-again Boarding Area satire site The Takeoff Nap once joked that we gave an award for being the “Best Airline Starting with ‘D’ and Ending in ‘elta.’”
(To be clear: we know some writers at TPG and one is a long-time friend. I knew Brian Kelley — the OG TPG — when he started the blog years ago. And Chris says he always enjoys running into Zach Griff at various events.)
So, is this a defining moment for TPG and Delta? Will TPG now be more penetrating in their evaluations of not just Delta SkyMiles, but everything Delta does and changes? While I am not holding my breath, I will say it would be nice to see them, with their large audience, call out the airline as they continue to make changes that negatively impact all of us who fly the airline.
What do you think? Does this surprise you as much as it did me? – René
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Losing TPG is a “self inflicted wound” Delta placed on itself. Heading to Europe this Summer and not flying Delta for the first time in decades.
@Marcos – I agree. Delta One award prices to Europe are simply insane and delusional compared to just about every other program.
Delta is fine domestically, but don’t expect any upgrades any longer. Once you fly the long haul international from any of the European or Middle East youll never fly Delta One again. We flew Delta one to Africa, SLC to AMS on the new at the time neo, and it was great. But AMS to JRO we flew KLM and it was SO MUCH BETTER! On our return trip home, we flew Qatar and that is a game changer. Delta One is miles behind other carriers for international that it makes zero sense to book them.
I have seen the TPG emblems on a few Delta planes I have flown…
@dee – Yup. The are slowly replacing all the old ones as shown in the post with the new one without TPG on it.
I agree with everything that’s been posted here about Delta. It’s wild to see an airline burn so many loyal fliers. As for the shift in TPG commentary; TPG is now and always has been a carnival clown conman that would tell us all that hell is a great vacation destination if that’s what he’s paid to say. I haven’t seen value in his posts in years. Delta finally stopped paying him to lie to us.
Do you know if Hell has an affiliate program? Asking for a friend. 😉
That’s why I blindly follow thought leader Gary Leff. He hates all airlines equally.
Does anyone even read TPG anymore?
Yes, yes, they do. They have a staff of some very good reporters and writers. They still rank high on Google. They’re doing something right!
@FNT – They do still break some news and as Chris mentioned a number of the writers are very good and now even better as they cover Delta with an open eye!
I still believe that TPG is a legit source for travel info. In fact, I only use four to get and cross-check my info (TPG, Eye of the Flyer, VFTW, and Travel w/Grant). Which is why it’s important to never only follow one source (something for you blindly FOX News or MSNBC folks to think about perhaps?).
Back to the airlines…on my very first trans-con trip I was 16 years old on TWA. My parents booked me in first because they felt I would be better taken care of as a minor. I sat next to a wise old man (okay he was like…fifty!) and he told me two things I use and remember to this day: (1) It only costs a little more to go first class (2) All airlines suck…TWA just sucks less.
Substitute DeIta for TWA in that statement and I feel that’s where we’re at in 2025. But yeah, happy to see TPG may not just cover Delta with the “mile-high club love blanket” anymore.
Thanks for including us in your Four, Warr!!
I think “Mile-High Club Love Blanket” played Coachella a few weeks ago 😉 .
I am based in Minneapolis – but have now decided to abandon Delta Medallion games (and Amex Reserve with it) … I’ll just buy fares etc ala cart as needed. I’m Diamond with Delta and it is very close to worthless. It ‘is’ worthless from a seat upgrade perspective. My recent flight to Boston Logan I was 57th on the list of passengers for the one available first class seat. Diamond and I am 57th? Imagine what the silver folks are getting.
57th?!