Still Traveling

By Bootleg

January 4, 2006 3:09 PM | Link to this

This decision will furthur cut into the “Big” airlines ability to compete with the “Discount” airlines. The “Big” airlines continue to take away incentives from the weekly business traveler, thus ruining “Brand” loyality. Basically this decision will force the hard core business traveler to the lower cost carriers as the only difference between the two will be Cost and Flight Schedules. They would be smarter to change the way the run their airlines then to find nickle-and-dime ways to short term cost cut.

By ATLborn

January 4, 2006 3:35 PM | Link to this

At one point I joked with my friends that Delta had a vendetta against me because of certain actions they took. A few years ago when i wanted to visit Rio, they cancelled that route; when I wanted to redeem miles for a trip, they’d never have the dates I wanted; when I hoped to take advantage of a sale fare, the days I wanted weren’t on sale or my destination wouldn’t be a part of the sale, etc.

If they screw up the frequent flyer program they can kiss my business goodbye. I travel frequently for business and pleasure and wouldn’t mind at all switching airlines if I’m screwed over once more. The frequent flyer program is the main reason I fly Delta, if they mess with it again for the worse, then I’m gone.

By Vito DeMalteris

January 4, 2006 3:42 PM | Link to this

As indicated by other comments, Delta has switched rules so many times on their frequent flyer program that they no longer have my loyalty when it comes to booking travel. I have put up with their flight cancellations, delays, reductions in service and other inconveniences they have built in to their offering that any changes to the frequent flyer program will cause me to move on. Other airlines are cheaper and more reliable. Good-bye Delta.

By Mike

January 4, 2006 3:57 PM | Link to this

I used to maintain a rolling balance w/Delta in excess of 500,000 miles. However, the last 3 years I’ve binged to use them up before watching them devalue. Ironically, the Capital One commercials are highly accurate - it is nearly impossible to use skymiles without boooking a year in advance.

I now prefer scrounging for Internet only deals that offer no mileage. I’ll take my savings up front in cash.

By Rick

January 4, 2006 4:25 PM | Link to this

The Delta program as it stands is a fraud because there are virtually no seats allocated. It’s a joke. I give away almost all of my points to someone who wants to put up with the hassle. They make money on it because they don’t have to recognize the liability for outstanding points. If they had to recognize the accounting liability for the miles they grant, this mess would stop. Its a loyalty prevention program as it is.

By taco slammer

January 4, 2006 4:33 PM | Link to this

This is definitely not the way to keep your loyal customers happy. If Delta continues to reduce the perks, I’ll reduce the money I spend with them. You can take that to the bank.

By SKINNERgy

January 4, 2006 4:42 PM | Link to this

We’ve build up nearly 75,000 Delta mile because we can’t use them. The only comforting thing is since I can’t fly I don’t have to try to use my Hilton HHonors points. They are nearly as hard to redeem. Maybe I need to book a trip to Cleveland this summer, or Alaska this winter to try to use them.

All of the other writers are correct. If they devalue the Delta miles I will fly (or drive) the cheapest way possible.

By Matt

January 4, 2006 5:17 PM | Link to this

Hopefully, Wendy’s will do some more promotions with the Free Trips on Airtran for buying drinks. That is a great promotion!

By Mark M

January 4, 2006 5:17 PM | Link to this

Frequent Flyer programs continue to show loyalty to that particular airline by the customer. I have a family of six, when I frequent let’s say McDonalds once or twice a week…they never say “hey you’re a great customer…meals on us”. Never!!!! Enjoy your perks people. Flying on low cost carriers won’t support your future trip to Europe will it?

By Dan

January 4, 2006 5:25 PM | Link to this

I happen to like the new options listed above. I think it’s silly to spend the same number of miles for a flight from ATL to NYC as a flight from ATL to Seattle. As long as the redemptions are properly prorated, then, it makes more sense. Buying merchandise with points is another great idea as I’m generally tired of traveling for personal reasons anyways as I travel every week for business. Just my $.02.

By Matt

January 4, 2006 5:39 PM | Link to this

I collected 25k Delta Skymiles over the course of 6 or 8 months last year and redeemed them for a flight to Chicago in August…I booked maybe a month in advance, No problemo. there were even more options for my flight if I had 50k Skymiles.

I would prefer a flight mileage based system, assuming even the longest flights do not exceed the typical 25k mile redemption that exists currently.

By tokyofalcon

January 4, 2006 6:02 PM | Link to this

You know, somehow this turned to a Delta rant! But I must be the lucky one here because I have never had a problem with Delta save one lost baggage on a flight to Peru. No problems with my point redemntions, no problem giving them away to charity, no problems with setting up flights for other people using my points. No delays that were the carriers fault no bad employee issues. Nothing - and this is everything from 15 hour 1st Class International to 30 minute coach flights to even the old tiny planes. However, I do think that people have issues with a particluar airline and mu horror stories as mentioned above are ALL with Northwest. With the exception of our point flight to Paris, nothing goes as advertised with them when I am flying that airline. I really don;t care what happens as long as at some point I can use my FREE flight - and FREE is the optimum word here IMO. I do like the mileage based idea though.

By Eddie

January 4, 2006 6:09 PM | Link to this

The Delta Sky Miles program is just like the rest of the big airlines in that the one person above who had a decent experience redeeming miles is in the minority. I have 140,000 Sky Miles and the ONLY way I can use them is if I use double the miles (their marketing BS is “Sky Choice”) for ANY flight I want because as Rick mentioned, they allocate very few (I believe NONE in many cases) to the regular “Sky Saver” redemption. So now I’ll redeem those as soon as possible - using double what was promised when I signed up - and return to Air Tran, who has one my business for good for reasons in excess of this one (like the fact you can fly one way for half the price as round trip - makes sense to anyone with a brain but Delta hasn’t figured that one out yet).

By Chuck

January 4, 2006 7:12 PM | Link to this

Airtran & Southwest have great deals for adult cry babies on their European flights. You can’t believe the bargain with leg room and the cattle call boarding. The bathrooms in the back of the 737 are to die for at this price. They even give you a piece of cheese upon boarding to go with your whine.

By GTVegas

January 4, 2006 7:32 PM | Link to this

Try being a transplant to a city that Delta doesn’t consider a hub and try using the points to go someplace. It’s a joke. I ended up being able to use them after a letter to the President of Delta, copied to Clark Howard, a couple Senators and the Justice Department. People forget that in many cases these miles are “paid” for, either within the ticket price or the fee paid to the credit card company. They are paid for as an incentive to use that airline or that credit card. In my book, it is fraud to charge you for something that you can not use due to the Company imposed restrictions. Try using these for Hawaii. Then they tell you, “but you can use them, it just costs you double”. Talk about bait and switch to lower their liability.

Chuck - you just don’t get it. They are charging you forr something they have no intention of delivering on unless you fly some ungodly amount each year to put you in that “special” category. At least with Southwest, there has been no capacity related restrictions, just a few black-out dates which I can understand. If Southwest has a seat and you want it, you get it, even if it is the last seat on the plane. No bait and switch there. Some of us, the majority, don’t want to use these miles to go to Europe and I’m not sure you could if you tried during times that would be considered normal for the regular guy to travel.

By Kelli

January 4, 2006 7:32 PM | Link to this

I’ve built up over 200,000 sky miles, and would have more but I used miles for 2 round-trips to Hawaii and bought the Crown Room Club (conveniently, 2 weeks before they raised the rates!). By the way, I booked my Hawaii tickets approximately 8 months in advance to get the Sky Saver rates.

I was 100% loyal to Delta for the 81 flights I took in 2005. I’m already unhappy with the changes they made. (Have you ever tried to get to Gold status when you fly short trips - Atlanta to Florida - all the time? Darn near impossible)Bring back segments for Atlanta-based travelers! However, I can understand them needing to make SOME changes, but I think they need to allow their frequent fliers to have input on those changes.

If they take the SkyMiles program away, or make it virtually unusable, what incentives do travelers have to stay loyal to Delta?

By Mike

January 4, 2006 8:34 PM | Link to this

In Delta’s financial statements they show their liability for their frequent flyer program as roughly $22 for every 25,000 miles. They show no liability for accounts with under 25,000 miles.

So, for years, while they’ve been telling customers that SkyMiles are the next best thing to gold bullion, they’ve been telling Wall Street that SkyMiles are worthless.

It’s Delta’s long standing strategy of, with apologies for misquoting Rudy Gulliani, “overpromise and underdeliver.”

By Realisst

January 4, 2006 8:58 PM | Link to this

I am looking to take my family of four to California this summer. We are looking to go in the middle of June. I plan to use my Sky Miles, just a touch over 190,000. I checked into in and can get a Sky Saver First Class seat into Sacramento or San Francisco on my trip out and a Sky Saver First Class seat out of Los Angeles on the way back. This mean 45,000 sky miles per person for a First Class Seat. Seems like a pretty good deal to me!

By Chris

January 4, 2006 9:12 PM | Link to this

GOODBY TO AMERICAN EXPRESS AND THEIR FF PROGRAM i made a few late payments and they shot my %rate over twenty %

By david

January 5, 2006 8:48 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with ‘tokyofalcon’ and others who do not find tremendous fault with Delta. This is supposed to be a blog about loyalty programs in general; not just Delta. I’m a Million Miler and would take a lot to make me change from my favorite airline. And, contrary to some of our beliefs, these miles are free; we do not pay for them in the usual since. Sure, we get more miles by buying walkup fares, etc. My company would go broke giving away what most of you want. I took my family of five to Italy last year with no hassles-my wife and I in Business Class. I would like to be able to ‘buy’ other items with my miles; great idea.

By W2987

January 5, 2006 8:50 AM | Link to this

I just cancelled my American Express Delta Skymiles card. Definately not worth the annual fee as the miles are worthless. You can hardly find a round trip ticket for 25,000 miles, now Delta wants 50,000 miles for “SkyChoice” tickets. Why spend $50,000 to get one free roundtrip ticket when I can get a free Amazon.com Visa (one of may cash award cards available) and earn $500 in credit to be used on Amazon? Sure, I have to buy merchandise on Amazon but I still have $500 in real merchandise versus skymiles which I can rarely use or when I can, costs me $500 (50,000 miles) for one ticket. Ditch the skymiles and buy a discount ticket for $200.

By Thomas

January 5, 2006 9:09 AM | Link to this

I do not live in Atlanta, so I have some flight options rather than Delta and often make the choice between Delta and Southwest. In the past I usually would choose Delta. That is changing, however, for several reasons. The frequent program is the first. Delta has doubled the miles required to get a “free” flight and essentially blacked out all flights until late spring. Delta makes it hard to use the miles. Southwest, on the other hand, makes it really easy. No problems, no hassels, no over-riding commitment to company rules. The attitude seems to focus on customer service. That is the second complaint. Delta folks are just plain rude. The customer is not the enemy, but you would never know it from the treatment one receives while flying. The fare rate also is important to me. How come Southwest provides better service, cleaner planes, keeps up with luggage, is couteous, seems to be on time and also cheaper. Do you think there may be a management issue here? I hope Delta will start listening to their customers. We really want to stay with them. Delta just makes it hard to do so.

By pete

January 5, 2006 9:18 AM | Link to this

The number of available Delta FF seats available these days is laughable. Where they may have been 15-20 FF seats per flight, it seems as if there may be 1-2. Everytime I try to redeem miles, I’m told, “We don’t have any Frequent Flyer seats left on that flight but, for an additional 25,000 miles, we could get you into a regular coach seat.” What used to ordinarily cost me 25k miles now routinely costs 50k miles at redemption. This is clearly Delta’s way of burning through the outstanding FF miles held by long-time, loyal fliers.

I feel badly that a once-great airline and once-great employer has been reduced to field dung but shame on the Delta Board of Directors. They’re the ones who let Leo & The Boys loot what was left of a previously noble organization.

It might be best for Delta to close its doors completely then somehow re-emerge as a low-cost carrier with the right equipment flying the right routes — you know, like AirTran and Southwest do? But please, not before I use up my last 100,000 miles!

Hope retirement is treating you well, Leo …

By Jim

January 5, 2006 9:24 AM | Link to this

The era of big benefits associated with collecting airline miles is soooo over. So get over it.

By Deltaisdead

January 5, 2006 9:33 AM | Link to this

Wonder if Michele Burns is concerned about this issue???

Anyway, I favor air mileage based point rewards. 25K miles should get me to NYC at least twice.

So long DL! Whoever said they had rude employees was absolutely right!!!! The treat the customer as an enemy on the ground and in the air.

By Deborah Haynie

January 5, 2006 9:41 AM | Link to this

I WAS a loyal customer to Delta Airlines, but as others have posted, their frequent changes to their Frequent flyer program have caused me to start shopping for the lowest fare. I fly at least 4 - 6 times per month for business. My counterpart in San Francisco also flys the same average. He flys with NorthWest and is always eligible for 1st class upgrades (it doesn’t matter what type of ticket he purchased to qualify). On Delta, they give different points towards different programs, so I never know if the ticket I purchased qualifies for the full points on the MLQ program.?…I always have plenty of miles for purchasing tickets (when they are accepted on the flights I need), but I will never have enough for their MLQ program, which allows for the upgrades. I now fly Airtran whenever possible because it is easier to earn flights, and it is less expensive to upgrade.

By scott

January 5, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

Well, after 10 years of frequent flying miles and gold status, I finally decided to try to cash in for 4 tickets a week before the bankrupcy filing. Several hours on the web and phone for either domestic was a joke, no seats and nearly 50,000 per ticket? Then I tried the Islands or London and guess what, no seats over a 4 month period. Finally an agent found me 4 seats to London over Orlando wheere I connect with Virgin for 200,000 miles. What a joke! I gave up on Delta and their additude 3 years ago and fly airtran / continential.

By Michael

January 5, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

I have a trip to Southern California in March and tried to use my Medallion miles for the second time in a year. I have been a million miler with Delta for several years and have only use miles twice in the last two years. The idea of mileage seats being available is a “big joke”. I was told that all the flights from 3 airports in Southern California to Atlanta were not available. This is all flights every day for over a month.

Mileage credits for Delta are a scam. Every time I talked with one of their reps it reminds me of the “Capital One” commercials where they always say NO.

Delta should stop advertising mileage credits because they do not intend to honor the program.

By shelvia stewart

January 5, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

I do feel that revamping the delta skymiles process will be good for those with many, but not quite enough miles to fly. I noticed that when I dine, I do not receive the 5 or 10 miles per dollar I used to earn, but only 3 miles per one dollar.

Another thing to think about is the number of miles a person may have should be allowed to be used and if they do not have enough, sell them a prorated ticket for the difference instead of making them purchase and entire ticket only to rack up more miles they may not be able to redeem. Also, add some retail clothing stores and local spas to the skymiles program. Many that shop for clothes or receive qualifying spa treatments would love the idea of getting miles per dollar for flights.

Jsut my thoughts.

By JJ

January 5, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

I just cashed in some skymiles for the first time last evening for a flight from ATL to LAX in 3 weeks. I had no problems at all. I got round trip for 25,000 miles, although the return flight is the red eye. However, I checked the Delta page several times and the amount of available SkySaver flights changed every time. All I can say is be patient and try it several times a day. This was my first time… the next time I may not be so lucky.

By Liz

January 5, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

I tried to get first class seats to Ireland for next September. Called the FIRST day that seats would be available and got wait-listed for 30 days. I extended the wait list 2 more times, 14 days each, when I was told that no seats had been released and may NOT ever be released for award seats. How can you NOT get an award seat when you call 331 days in advance, first day possible to get seats, wait list for 60 days and then get dropped from the wait list because they can only wait list you for so long. It is a $6000 ticket and it’s taken years to save the 200,000 miles necessary to go. What in the changes will say they HAVE to allow some seats for award travel????

By liz

January 5, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

P.S. My experience is with Delta. I am going to switch to the Capital One card where your miles can be used on ANY airline. My husband has no trouble getting tickets with his Capital One miles, but I am never able to get a FF seat on Delta flights. If this is how they treat all their loyal fliers, no wonder they are having trouble. I was reading thru the other blogs and realize there are a LOT of unhappy Delta customers, but no real slamming of any other airline. Delta better take a hint!! Some Goodwill would go a long way….a lot of these folks wouldn’t fly and pay for the ticket anyway. The miles tickets are extra flights that they can take advantage of, but Delta has made it impossible to use the miles.

By Jackie

January 5, 2006 2:09 PM | Link to this

I hate all the poop on the planes!!!

By Deltaisdead

January 5, 2006 2:49 PM | Link to this

DELTA: No One Goes Around (on FF tickets)!

By william

January 5, 2006 6:02 PM | Link to this

Capital One gives lets you use the mileage on any airline? If that is so, then I am definitely dumping the Delta AmEx that I have had for five years. I have racked up hundreds of thousands of miles and not been able to use them. They might was well reward me in old Confederate Currency.

I’m going to the website now. So long AJC!

By Julia

January 5, 2006 8:39 PM | Link to this

Delta, an airline who wont let Frequent Flier mile redemption get in the way of their employees “Non-Rev” or “buddy pass” seat availability. No wonder they are in trouble. Ever wonder how many of those seats on the plane are filled by Delta Employees, flying as a benefit at no cost to the Employee? If they had released more seats for Frequent Fliers, those empty seats would not have been available for their Non revenue employees to use.

As I said, Delta, an airline that won’t let passenger satisfaction get in the way of their non rev. employees being able to fly whenever they want.

By joseph

January 5, 2006 9:00 PM | Link to this

I have a rolling balance of about 300,000 miles on Skymiles and I have had almost no trouble redeeming them for trips I’ve wanted to take when I’ve wanted to take them (three tickets to South Africa, and two to Buenos Aires in the last year or so). I appreciate that it must be frustrating not to be able to use FF miles, but personally, I’ve not had that problem.

By John

January 6, 2006 9:19 AM | Link to this

To all the whiners out there, I have often wondered why you expect something for free for flying Delta. They met or bet almost every price that Airtran has out of Atlanta, yet you ecpect something for free. Try getting Kroger or Publix or Wal-Mart for that matter to give you “loyalty” miles for shopping with them. If you don’t like what Delta is doing by eliminating the “free” ride, then by all means, please fly Airtran or some other airline and see how much you get from them.

By John

January 6, 2006 9:20 AM | Link to this

To all the whiners out there, I have often wondered why you expect something for free for flying Delta. They meet or beat almost every price that Airtran has out of Atlanta, yet you expect something for free. Try getting Kroger or Publix or Wal-Mart for that matter to give you “loyalty” miles for shopping with them. If you don’t like what Delta is doing by eliminating the “free” ride, then by all means, please fly Airtran or some other airline so that the flights I want won’t be oversold on Delta.

By Rockon

January 6, 2006 9:23 AM | Link to this

Julia, You are an idiot, the employees of Delta only get to fly AFTER all seats are taken. This includes FF mile users. But as usual, someone speaks about something they have NO idea what they are talking about. As a Delta employee, I can tell you that it is harder than ever to fly as a non-rev nowdays because the seats are always taken my some free-loader FF.

By Trey

January 6, 2006 9:25 AM | Link to this

Julia, I agree, you are an idiot!!!!

By DaveFM

January 6, 2006 9:32 AM | Link to this

Liz, Are you so nieve that you think you are going to get something that cost $6000 for free. I have no problem using my FF miles, but then again, I am not asking for a free $6000 ticket either. You must have a set of balls to ask for something like that for free on any airline. LOL this is hilarious. You know, I bought gas at the station across from the Chevrolet dealership for the last 3 years, probably spent over $10,000, maybe Chevrolet will give me a new car. What a Moron!!!

By Consulting-VP

January 6, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Rockon, Shocking that the Delta employee starts off with an insult then continues to whine about how everything is impacting themself. I for one can’t wait for Delta to go out of business. Our consulting organization is already planning a celebration.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

John take your lame Delta defense somewhere else.

Your “argument” comparing Kroger/Publix to any airline is extremely laughable and ridiculous.

If you think DL FF tickets are “Free” then I have a lot of explaining to do for you.

Do you have any idea of Marketing or CRM practices? Do you know that the SkyMiles program is a revenue-generating program for DL and other Legacy carriers????

Heres the only thing I expect from Delta: Proper customer service for giving them my business. This is something they have lost forever. Go back and read any of the AJC DL related blogs and youll see some of their nastiness on display.

I noticed you mentioned AirTran in your double post. I suspect you are a DL employee shaking in their boots as AirTran (along with the other LCCs)continues to decimate your arrogant and bloated bankrupt company??

BTW, I STILL wonder if Michele Burns is concerned about her FF tickets???? Oh yes, thats right she has LIFETIME FREE PASSES! Another fantastic DL decision.

Now while your at Publix pick me up some Cheese. I need it for my whine.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

Heres more good news for the customer service focused DL employees on this blog:

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/delta/stories/0106deltatraffic.html

By Chris

January 6, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

Frequent Flyer Miles are an airline controlled currency that they can control however they see fit and they can devalue or inflate whenever they choose. If they devalue the currency to low the desire to posess the currency is diminished to the point that there is no incentive to posess and acquire the currency.
From this blog one can assume that certain consumers feel that the currency is still desirable creating brand loyalty and others feel that the currency is no longer desirable.
Airlines have to determine at what point the currency valuation is going to give them the maximum return.

By Chris

January 6, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

My wife and I have been able to receive a healthy return on our Frequent Flyer Miles. I would be saddened to see my returns diminish. We are at the point now where we are evaluating our options if the pendulum shifts much further I believe we will find it necessary to make a loyalty switch.

By John

January 6, 2006 1:13 PM | Link to this

To Deltaisdead, Nope, I am not a Delta employee, I actually work for AirTran, but thanks for getting it wrong, just goes to prove that idiots like you don’t do their homework before they start whining. And for the cheese, looks like from all the messages you wrote, you are already “drunk” from your whining. And another thing, PLEASE if you would, continue to fly Delta, here at AirTran, we don’t need your type. It is obvious that you still fly them to know that they have poor customer service, or are you one of those types that just jumps on a bandwagon without knowing what you are talking about, I think you are the latter. Have a nice day!!

By Rockon

January 6, 2006 1:23 PM | Link to this

Consulting-VP, I apologize, I meant to include you in the idiot remark as well. I am so sorry for leaving you out. Could you plese explain exactly what it is that a consulting-VP does? Here at D, we finally figured out that we have too many VP’s on the payroll. Middle management is what has put D in bankruptcy. I am currently a laid off D employee, so maybe you have misunderstood my remark. I am not ever planning to go back to Delta, but it is idiots such as yourself and Julia, that pop off without knowing what you are talking about that takes down a company. I understand why you are so ignorant know, you are a “consulting-VP”, which I would guess to mean that you have sucked up to someone and they made you up a title. LOL You kill me with that. Tell the truth, weren’t you a used car salesman before you became an, uh, “consulting -VP? And if you are planning a celebration, that just goes to prove that you have nothing better to do than spend time worring about a company you obviously have no interest in. Looks like to me you should get some “consulting” on how to spend your time more wisely. I would hate to find out that my company hired you to “consult” (that is funny) and you were blogging about a company you were going to celebrate that folds and goes under. HUM, intersting….

By debi

January 6, 2006 1:32 PM | Link to this

Consulting-VP, What kind of consulting business do you represent that would celebrate a company going out of business? One less company equals one less opportunity for your business. The way I hear it, Delta hires alot of consulting firms, sometimes too many, and you are celebrating them going out of business??? Please let us know which firm you supposedly consult for so I will be sure to NOT use them. Delta has a lot of problems, some with employee moral and some with poor management. I would bet that management got alot of their ideas from consultants like yourself. Also, if you are only a VP, then I would start to look for a job, the trend in America is leaning towards cutting out middle managment. Here at Bank of America, we cut out over 100 VP positions in the last year, positions that we didn’t need. Hope you are a good used car salesman. And for you Rockon, I understand you being disgruntled at loosing your job, you should take the high road and not resort to name calling, even if it fits.

By martha

January 6, 2006 1:52 PM | Link to this

This blog just makes me laugh so hard my side hurts. Here we have a disgruntled former Delta person, a “consulting-VP” (what ever that is), someone named Deltaisdead, all coomplaining about Delta. I would bet that Mr. Consulting-VP and whoever deltaisdead are, that they don’t even pay for their airline tickets, their companies pick up the tab. They are p** and moaning about something they get for free anyhow. And the disgruntled Delta person is still disgruntled, I have one question for you guys, Do any of you feel better for bad-mouthing each other? Did any of it help out Delta or help you get to spend your FF miles that you probably didn’t even pay for in the first place? I have a friend that does the same thing. He uses his personal credit card to pay for his flights so that he can get FF miles and then his company reimburses him for his travel expenses. He doesn’t pay for it, his company does. I tell him the same thing I am telling you crybabies. You have a choice when you purchase the tickets, but he, just like you guys continue to fly with a carrier and then complain about it. If it weren’t Delta you guys were on it would be some other company. You are just p** that it isn’t as easy as it used to be to get something “under the table” deal like this. Airline tickets cost about the same now as they did 10-15 years ago. Why not spend your time p** and moaning about something like the cost of natural gas or the cost of living, which has gone up drastically in the past few years, instead you are moaning about something that is already dirt cheap. But in the end, it is all the same, you had a choice and chose to fly Delta, deep down you really don’t want to leave Delta for AirTran, you want a 1980’s price and at the same time you want to be “whined and dined”. Well it looks like you got the whining part down pat.

By EA

January 6, 2006 1:59 PM | Link to this

The array of redemption stories is making me nervous. I tried to book a flight for my brother using my sky miles. When I called the Delta #, I got someone who sounded like they were in India and reading off a script. Definitely was a language barrier going on. He told me there were NO flights ANYWHERE out of Atlanta before March 1 (this was December) using my sky miles. This didn’t make sense to me and he couldn’t give me a reason. I hung up and called again. Got another person sounding like India with the same language barrier and asked about booking on-line. He wanted to send me to tech support. Bottom line, I was able to book the flight I wanted before March on-line using my sky miles, but on the customer service # they told me there was no availability. I certainly hope he is truly booked on the flight. I don’t want to call customer service and get frustrated with someone who doesn’t even understand me. That more than anything will make me go to another company. Won’t be the first time.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 2:11 PM | Link to this

John

You supposedly work for AirTran and yet you defend Delta. Im not buying it. You didnt even know how to correctly spell your employers name!

Youre an idiot.

Any more Kroger stories???? That was entertaining!

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 2:20 PM | Link to this

oh John:

Considering you are an “AirTran employee” did you see the part where I said the LCC’s (please define that term for me btw)are EATING DELTA’s LUNCH????

I stood up for AirTran and you dont want me to fly on your “employer”? What a fool. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Send me your email and ill make sure that Joe knows his “employees” are telling paying customers to stay away.

Again, YOU ARE AN IDIOT. Try again big boy. You can do better IDIOT.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 2:32 PM | Link to this

John:

Could you please explain this quote from your post to me?

“If you don’t like what Delta is doing by eliminating the “freeâ€? ride, then by all means, please fly Airtran or some other airline so that the flights I want won’t be oversold on Delta.”

Do you as an AirTran employee find yourself flying on DL often???? Flight benefits not so good on your employer these days????

Quit lying John.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 2:49 PM | Link to this

Martha:

You too are an Idiot honey.

Regardless of who pays for an airline ticket (personal or corporate) do you not believe that customer service should be provided by ANY airline in exchange for a ticket?

Btw, my natural gas bill was $330 this month!!!! I wish my company would pay for that!!! Glad im with Scana so i get those valuable DL FF miles!

By John

January 6, 2006 3:12 PM | Link to this

Again, deltaisdead is whining, would someone please get him a bib, he is making a mess.

By John

January 6, 2006 3:15 PM | Link to this

deltaisdead,I would try to explain to you how non rev travel works but you are whining so loud I don’t think you would understand. Just get yourself some “cheese” and sit back and you might learn a thing or two by keeping your mouth shut.

By Ted

January 6, 2006 3:27 PM | Link to this

Sounds like deltisdead is a little bit jealous of the perks the airline employees get. Is that the big green head of envy popping up deltaisdead? It is apparent by your screen name you are WAY over consumed with Delta, if your gas bill is $330, why don’t you try some physical activity to maybe loose some weight instead of sitting on your fat caboose and blogging all day. I am with Scana, with a wife and 2 kids and my bill was only $175. BTW we keep our t’stat on 70. But then again, we aren’t asking for whine and cheese and have all day to sit and blog. From the times on here, you have been at it all day. Does your employer know what you are up to all day??? Or are you unemployed??? I wouldn’t be surprised. I read your comment to Martha and it doesn’t make any more sense than any of John’s. Both of you need to get a life!!! John, I understand what you meant that as an AirTran employee, you are eligible to fly non rev on Delta (listen to this Deltaisdead, you might learn something) but still, it isn’t good policy for your company to tell someone to fly another airline. Would both of you please read some other part of the paper and blog on that, how about finding an article on wine tasting, that way deltaisdead can do what he does best, whine, and John can just get drunk…

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 3:31 PM | Link to this

John

You havent answered a single question i asked yet.

Nonrev my a**. Quit lying John.

By John

January 6, 2006 3:37 PM | Link to this

deltaisdead, I already told you that it is obvious you wouldn’t understand, and by all means, please tell Joe, (like you two are good buddies) what I said. OMG deltaisdead is gonna tell on me. Next thing you know, you will call me chicken… you will take your blog and go home… Please don’t tell on me LOL LOL.. it is also aparent by all the typos, that you are getting a little tipsy from all your whine. You might want to lay off of hard stuff for a while. (as long as we are keeping score on typos) What’s the matter, can you dish it out but can’t take it? What a loser!!!!

By John

January 6, 2006 3:40 PM | Link to this

LOL I agree with Ted. deltaisdead is already drunk from the whineing and I am quickly on my way LOL.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 3:40 PM | Link to this

Ted, youre a riot. Do you moonlight at the Punchline? If not you should look into this as a second career. Your material is good.

Yes thats it. You really nailed it on the head. Im jealous of airline employees. They get so many perks!!!

Low pay, stripped benefits, daily beatdowns from upper management. Yes what a job they choose to do!!

At least you too realize that John is a fraud.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 3:46 PM | Link to this

I can take ALL you can dish John. I can tell from your sophmoric responses that i hit a nerve.

You have proved nothing and are nothing. Ill bet AirTran is glad to have you, but i know you dont work there anyway.

You really dont like being caught in a lie do you?

By John

January 6, 2006 3:48 PM | Link to this

Ok deltaisdead, one more time, just for you, lean in and listen very closely, just because I work for AirTran, that doesn’t mean that I wish bad things to happen to Delta. This blog started over FF miles and somehow you have gotten drunk from your whining and thought it was Delta against AirTran, and wanted to take an opportunity to bash Delta while they are down, just look at your screen name. I am going to give you a news flash. Here we go, listen carefully, are you ready for it, DELTA ISN’T THE ONLY COMPANY THAT THE ARTICLE IN QUESTION WAS TALKING ABOUT. It was about FF miles in general related to the entire airline industry. You know, there are other airlines out there besides Delta and AirTran. But to someone like yourself who has probably never been out side of the county you live in, it is understandable that you would be so ignorant.

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 3:58 PM | Link to this

I have over 75000 miles last quarter ALONE you imbecile to Europe and Asia. Now YOU listen closely…You are a fool that got caught being trigger happy on the keyboard. Im the only one who called it.

Im not the one who told people not to fly my “employers” airline. That defies logic John. Why you would tell people NOT to do business with the company you supposedly work for. Do you want AirTran to go bankrupt also you blathering idiot????

God bless the mentally challenged that appear on these blogs!

By John

January 6, 2006 3:59 PM | Link to this

deltaisdead, you are such a sucker. Look back at the blog… I am John, Martha, debi, Ted, Rockon, DaveFM, and Trey, jsut made up the names and an email address. I had a bet with some of my co-workers here I could sucker some slob into an argument. I don’t work for Delta or Airtran and could care less about either of them. Thanks for being the Butt of our joke. We all had a great laugh at your expense…. so long sucker!!!!

By Ted

January 6, 2006 4:05 PM | Link to this

deltaisdead, you really should either get spell checker or at lease use a dictionary to learn to spell, when you learn to spell check. And yes, by all means, please bless the mentally challenged on this blog, good ole’ deltaisdead, what an idiot. you got 75,000 miles and can’t use them. Why don’t you try Continental or maybe even Southwest and use them there
how does it feel being the butt

signed, John, Ted, debi, Rockon, Trey, martha and whoever else I might be

IDIOT

By debi

January 6, 2006 4:07 PM | Link to this

deltaisdead, LOL LOL you really are an idiot aren’t you LOL LOL that is what you get for being stupid

signed, John, debi, Ted, Martha, DaveFM, Trey and I can’t remember all of them LOL LOL

By Deltaisdead

January 6, 2006 4:08 PM | Link to this

Still not buying it idiot.

By martha

January 6, 2006 4:10 PM | Link to this

deltaisdead, you still think I am an idoit. Looks like you have been had

Signed Martha, John, Ted, Trey, DaveFM, Rockon, and what the heck I can’t remember all of them

By John

January 6, 2006 4:17 PM | Link to this

It figures you wouldn’t, but thanks for the comedy, we have to go home now but we would love to sit and humiliate you some more, but fortunately we have a life to live unlike yourself. So have a nice day with your twisted little world. Deltaisdead, that is such a lame name.

signed, who knows, and who cares other than you … bye idiot. Oh, one more thing, how long will you sit here and see if someone replies to your lame A$$?? Don’t waste too much time.

John, martha, debi, trey, DaveFM, Ted and whoever else

By Deltaisdead

January 9, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

What a freak this moron was!

13 year-olds on the computer. What has the world come to?

By Rebecca

January 10, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Ok, I am tired of hearing all this griping. What airline is perfect. Just because your name is Matt does not mean that all airlines are out to “make your day.” Flying is not a luxery, it never was. These guys are in business to stay in business. This is a volotile business environment that we are in. Give them a break. Ride it out, just like the airlines are doing right now.

By E. Lewis

January 10, 2006 1:30 PM | Link to this

I think that frequent flyer miles are only as valuable as any other promises that the airlines make. Sure they might bring you in with “no black out dates” or “earn more miles with our company credit card”, but they always can, as they have in the past, change the cash in requirements at a moments notice.

Specialty credit cards carry higher fees and interest rates. What was once a 25,000 FFM ticket is now 50,000 or more. Any open seat is now any open designated seat. No black out dates are fine, but what if there are so few seats available that you can’t get a ticket?

The airlines are businesses and they are in the business of making $$$$. If they can change the rules, they will. That is the nature of business.