Delta rule change irks some frequent fliers
Delta Air Lines has made another change to its mileage program that has raised the ire of some of its most frequent fliers.
Effective this week, Delta customers who change their frequent flier award tickets within 72 hours of the flight will not get the miles back.
The airline said more than 1 million award seats at the 72-hour point were going unused, and added that the change will make more award seats available to other frequent fliers -- one of the biggest sore points for travelers.
"When it gets to the point of three days prior to departure, a seat -- similar to any perishable good -- has an expiration," said Delta spokesman Paul Skrbec. "That's where the policies come from."
But frequent fliers say the move decreases the value of Delta's frequent flier program.
Tim Winship, publisher of FrequentFlier.com, said some frequent fliers would book mileage flights at higher tiers to hold a spot and then switch to the low-priced awards made available shortly before the flight.
"This new policy is a way of addressing the problem that they themselves created," Winship said.
Is also addresses some issues airlines have with frequent fliers who book multiple mileage flights they don't intend to use.
Those who were most likely to use such tactics are platinum and medallion level elite SkyMiles members, because they are not subject to the $150 fee for changing an award ticket.
Delta said its agents can review situations to determine whether to make an exception.
But Walt Frank, a platinum-level elite frequent flier on Delta, said many frequent fliers are "tired of this death by a thousand cuts with Delta continuing to trim away the benefits."
About the Author
As business team lead, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories. She graduated from Harvard and has a master's degree from Northwestern.
