Last week was an interesting one for Delta flyers. First, Delta announced a pretty wide-ranging upgrade to its narrow-body fleet interiors. The additional IFE and power is a true upgrade. The seats….that depends on your perspective. A reduction in F seats in the 757 fleet could/should be perceived as a negative as there will obviously be 4 to 6 fewer upgrade opportunities, while the addition (or return) of 4 F seats to the A320 fleet is a positive.
Then, Delta dropped a real bombshell by jacking up its Sky Club membership fee to $695 for the traditional privilege of bringing in 2 guests. They will roll out a $450 individual membership option this Spring, but bringing anyone into the club with you will cost $29 per guest with a max of 2. Carry the Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve cards at $450 a year? You’ll pay for brining in guests too, beginning May 1, 2014. I am taking a wait and see attitude with this announcement. It might work….might not. Nothing against the Sky Clubs, but raising the fee from $450 to $695, leaves me wanting a little more in the way of product and experience.
The events of last week have left me wondering as a Delta flyer, what next? I’ve made no secret of my fondness for Delta Air Lines overall, the treatment I receive as a Platinum Medallion, the operational reliability of what really is a good airline, etc. Delta is simply a fact of MJ travel life that I expect to continue for the foreseeable future. As such, my primary travel goal in 2014, is making sure I maintain Platinum Medallion in 2015. However, recent news that Delta now sees itself as not just an airline, but a “transportation company” have really got me thinking…. the announcements made in early 2014 are only the tip of the iceberg. I don’t expect a quiet year from Delta. What next? Some purely speculative posts coming soon.
MJ, January 13, 2014
[…] On Delta. What Next? […]
The clubs are definitely over crowded in lots of airports, so the concept of limiting the number of visitors on one hand seems appealing. My suggestion is to allow the membership (or DL reserve or Platinum) to have “X” free guests per year. Maybe 6? That would seem to be a fair compromise to me!
Meh. Skypesos are a joke. SO isn’t bothering with Diamond and putting her miles to a worthwhile award program (aka Alaska). Dropping Delta Reserve/Delta Plat and washing her hands of a ludicrous program. (No F international awards?? No one ways?? Minuscule Saver space. All in all a sorry joke).
Some product upgrades are needed, ideally hot food in the lounge