Welp, time to make the loyalty switch from Southwest to Delta....

[The Tradition]

Hilton just gave me an invitation-only status match to get Delta Silver Medallion, and I got the Gold Delta Amex with a 70,000 point sign-up bonus and no annual fee for the first year.

I've been loyal to Southwest for a few years, but with them switching to assigned seating, they'll be just like everybody else.

And they also have increasingly bad flight options from Orlando to Raleigh, which is where the vast majority of my air travel goes. Delta has much better choices. And the cost is about the same. Southwest isn't a low-fare carrier anymore.

So with this status match incentive, I'm pulling the trigger and will be loyal to Delta this year to see how I like it.

Any Delta fans here who can give me some tips for getting the best experience/value?

 

[Moral]

Some guys have it all.

 

[95Hawk]

Wait. You travel for work, Trad?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Man, they let anyone join these days.

 

[BlIIlken2]

Can I introduce you to the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®?

Spirit Travel More Card Review: Valuable Benefits for Spirit Loyalists - NerdWallet

The card offers broad ongoing rewards and sought-after airline benefits like companion perks, priority boarding and rebates on in-flight dining for frequent Spirit consumers.

www.nerdwallet.com

 

[Colonoscopy]

 

[The Tradition]

Can I introduce you to the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®?

Spirit Travel More Card Review: Valuable Benefits for Spirit Loyalists - NerdWallet

The card offers broad ongoing rewards and sought-after airline benefits like companion perks, priority boarding and rebates on in-flight dining for frequent Spirit consumers.

www.nerdwallet.com

Do you get a commission if I sign up?

 

[SolarHawk]

Trad tries to subtle brag about the weirdest shit.

 

[BlIIlken2]

Do you get a commission if I sign up?

Nope but might be able to keep the company in business 6 extra minutes.

 

[OrlandNole]

Oooohhhh...silver. I bet they give Silver Medallions TWO packages of biscoff cookies.

 

[TheCainer]

Man, they let anyone join these days.

Maybe it's a DEI decision?

 

[Capital1Hawk]

Hilton just gave me an invitation-only status match to get Delta Silver Medallion, and I got the Gold Delta Amex with a 70,000 point sign-up bonus and no annual fee for the first year.

I've been loyal to Southwest for a few years, but with them switching to assigned seating, they'll be just like everybody else.

And they also have increasingly bad flight options from Orlando to Raleigh, which is where the vast majority of my air travel goes. Delta has much better choices. And the cost is about the same. Southwest isn't a low-fare carrier anymore.

So with this status match incentive, I'm pulling the trigger and will be loyal to Delta this year to see how I like it.

Any Delta fans here who can give me some tips for getting the best experience/value?

You are going to lose the SW companion pass. My SW card points have more buying power than my Delta, Hilton and Marriott cards. Throw my first $135k on SW then switch over to using Marriott as main card rest of year. I like flying Delta better but hard to pass on the SW card.

 

[The Tradition]

You are going to lose the SW companion pass. My SW card points have more buying power than my Delta, Hilton and Marriott cards. Throw my first $135k on SW then switch over to using Marriott as main card rest of year. I like flying Delta better but hard to pass on the SW card.

I never flew enough to earn the CP the hard way, but I lucked out and scored one on a promo for our Hawaii vacation. That is a huge perk if you can get it.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

You are going to lose the SW companion pass. My SW card points have more buying power than my Delta, Hilton and Marriott cards. Throw my first $135k on SW then switch over to using Marriott as main card rest of year. I like flying Delta better but hard to pass on the SW card.

Trad, that's how you humble brag.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Who isn’t gold or platinum on Delta? You get companion pass and club passes with the Delta Reserve Card and that level when you use it for a majority of purchases to get to 10,000 MDQ’s annually.

 

[The Tradition]

Who isn’t gold or platinum on Delta? You get companion pass and club passes with the Delta Reserve Card and that level when you use it for a majority of purchases to get to 10,000 MDQ’s annually.

Not gonna get the card with the big annual fee for a test run with Delta to see if I like them.

 

[ping72]

Delta is going to shit. They are losing a lot of the super high mileage travelers that bread their butter.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

B

Not gonna get the card with the big annual fee for a test run with Delta to see if I like them.

Big annual fee? You get the companion pass which cuts the cost of it in half with flights costing as much as they do plus the club passes. It’s a wash with the cost and convenience they offer as well as complimentary upgrades to first or business class. Tell me you are a poor w/o telling me you are a poor.

 

[cfbfan23]

Delta is going to shit. They are losing a lot of the super high mileage travelers that bread their butter.

The Sky Club has gone way downhill in the last few years due to its ties to the Delta Amex card. Long lines to get in are a frequent occurrence, and the restroom wait time is usually better in the terminal. I finally gave mine up.

I wish it was only available for purchase with cash or miles. Keep that credit-card riff-raff out.

 

[The Tradition]

B

Big annual fee? You get the companion pass which cuts the cost of it in half with flights costing as much as they do plus the club passes. It’s a wash with the cost and convenience they offer as well as complimentary upgrades to first or business class. Tell me you are a poor w/o telling me you are a poor.

If I decide I hate the Delta experience, why would I pay $650 to subject my companion to that?

 

[NoleATL]

1. Welcome to Atlanta. Whether you think so or not, you will get stranded here one day. If you're really nice, we could put you up in our sling room for free. Uber is on you. We provide the lube. No condoms allowed.
2. Silver gives you some convenience benefits and free bags. Sky Priority line for checkin, priority tag on bags which sometimes gets them out first, free preferred seats (aisle, exit, near front, etc).
3. Forget getting any upgrades. Delta is ridiculously top heavy in loyalty status. I'm Platinum and was 26 on the list for zero first class seats on my flight to Key West this past Thursday. DL recently said they are SELLING 88% of their first class seats. If you want first, buy it. You may get lucky if you're flying out of a podunk out-station.
4. Regarding performance and reliability, I do believe DL is the best large domestic carrier. You do get free wi-fi when doors are closed.
5. Go ahead and get at least the Delta branded Platinum Amex. You'll get a domestic (and maybe some close intl north/central America) coach free companion ticket. Something like $120 annual credit for rideshares (Uber, Lyft). And, if you can work your way to Gold, you'll get some number of lounge visits. Even with the crowds (which haven't been as bad lately) and so-so product, it is MUCH better than hanging in the terminal. Especially in Atlanta. The Reserve card will up the companion pass to first class (easier to find future availability) and I think you may be able to access Centurion lounges without being Gold or higher. They are MUCH better than many Sky Clubs. Edit to add: with platinum or reserve card, you get $2,500 MQDs and that is the key to higher status. Loyalty levels are 100% based on how much you spend. Delta Vacations is a good way to add to it... you could get yourself to gold with one decent trip booked through DL Vacations.

All this said, as we near retirement, we may jump off the Delta merry go round and chase cheaper fares.

 

[NoleATL]

I wish it was only available for purchase with cash or miles. Keep that credit-card riff-raff out.

Amex pays DL per card swipe for entrance and it is a material amount. I think I once saw $38 per swipe. Not sure how that maths out.

 

[Tenacious E]

1. Welcome to Atlanta. Whether you think so or not, you will get stranded here one day. If you're really nice, we could put you up in our sling room for free. Uber is on you. We provide the lube. No condoms allowed.
2. Silver gives you some convenience benefits and free bags. Sky Priority line for checkin, priority tag on bags which sometimes gets them out first, free preferred seats (aisle, exit, near front, etc).
3. Forget getting any upgrades. Delta is ridiculously top heavy in loyalty status. I'm Platinum and was 26 on the list for zero first class seats on my flight to Key West this past Thursday. DL recently said they are SELLING 88% of their first class seats. If you want first, buy it. You may get lucky if you're flying out of a podunk out-station.
4. Regarding performance and reliability, I do believe DL is the best large domestic carrier. You do get free wi-fi when doors are closed.
5. Go ahead and get at least the Delta branded Platinum Amex. You'll get a domestic (and maybe some close intl north/central America) coach free companion ticket. Something like $120 annual credit for rideshares (Uber, Lyft). And, if you can work your way to Gold, you'll get some number of lounge visits. Even with the crowds (which haven't been as bad lately) and so-so product, it is MUCH better than hanging in the terminal. Especially in Atlanta. The Reserve card will up the companion pass to first class (easier to find future availability) and I think you may be able to access Centurion lounges without being Gold or higher. They are MUCH better than many Sky Clubs. Edit to add: with platinum or reserve card, you get $2,500 MQDs and that is the key to higher status. Loyalty levels are 100% based on how much you spend. Delta Vacations is a good way to add to it... you could get yourself to gold with one decent trip booked through DL Vacations.

All this said, as we near retirement, we may jump off the Delta merry go round and chase cheaper fares.

Good post. I think most of these airlines and programs are equaling out. I have an american airlines card which gives me pretty high status and benefits which I have enjoyed this year. The lounges have been a nice change, but just being able to board the plane ahead of almost everyone else and having a seat up front with guaranteed overhead space for carryon is worth a lot to me.

 

[jasonrann]

I have never been a fan of open seating and have never liked Southwest. IMHO, a big part of air travel becoming a commodity experience sits at their feet. I'll gladly pay more to fly United or Delta.

 

[andrewrayhons]

My company will book mostly through SW flying out of Kansas City, and the few times I've flown United or Delta, the experience is so much better.

Moving to Cedar Rapids in June though, so will be interesting to see how they book my travel going forward. Don't fly as much as I used to, but I plan to after the move.