Delta Inceases Miles for its Frequent Flier Awards

[lhbrown]

Hi Everyone,

Here is more bad news on the airline crisis, this time the changes will affect the Delta frequent flier program. I am sure other airlines will shortly follow suite.


Delta Air Lines on Wednesday became the first major carrier to revamp its frequent-flier program, introducing a three-tier system that will require as many as 60,000 miles for a last-minute domestic coach ticket.

The changes will take effect in early September.

The move comes a day after Delta doubled, to $50, the fee it charges for checking a second bag and follows an earlier decision to impose a fuel surcharge of up to $50 for booking a ticket using miles.

Here is the article on the full extent of the changes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/bu...l?ref=business






Message Edited by lhbrown on 07-31-2008 09:01 PM

[bonniejoy03]

Hi LH. Very interesting. I have been having "issues" with USair and I believe they might do the same. I have been watching for tickets to St. Maarten for the month of May from many east coast cities. NOTHING. The lowest point is 60,000. On their web site, they note that as of August 6th, the "premium" award will now be called "standard"?? HUH??? What happened to the 30,000 mileage for the Caribbean? I did call and send an email to USAir and their response was not any help. (limited seats available as I was told but I told them there NEVER was any seats available.) I am still believing things will get better!!!!(of course, I am living a dream!)

[kyshel]

I've been trying to find similar seats with the last of my USAir miles for my niece's honeymoon. At this point, I'm just looking for ANY island destination that doesn't require double miles.

[travel2fun]

Frequent Flier Awardsseats are getting to be a joke! I'm reaching the point where I am better off spending my miles on magazine subscriptions rather than trying to find an award seat to any place I would want to fly.

[lhbrown]

Hi travel2fun,
Don't give up so fast on your miles. Just try to plan your trips way in advance and be creative about it. Try to nail down your flights as early as you possibly can and then try to get your hotel packages. It used to be the other way around, but with the new changes, earlier is better.... These days, I am booking my ff trips as early as 329 days in advance, it might necessitate booking your outgoing flight first and settling for an earlier return date, and then changing to a later return flight at no extra cost, as long as you don't change the destintion.