Delta Economy Comfort Review: Is It Worth It?
This past weekend I went to Dublin (and had a fantastic time) and since I snagged a super-cheap $379 total roundtrip airfare, I knew I'd be stuck in coach since Delta has a super-annoying (read: expensive) international upgrade policy. For anyone unaware, you need to book full fare (Y, B, M class) economy fares, which are often around the same price as discounted business class, and then use 25,000 miles each way to upgrade. They don't even do upgrades at check-in or with a co-pay. If you book a cheap fare, you need to completely re-price your ticket to the full-fare (which includes a $250 re-ticketing surcharge) and then use 25,000 miles each way to upgrade. It's one of the biggest issues I have with the SkyMiles program and I think they lag sorely behind their competitors in this department. To contrast, as a top-tier elite on American Airlines, I get 8 one-way systemwide upgrade certificates that are good on any fare class.
However, the JFK to Dublin flight is only 6 hours and as a Diamond Medallion, I got free Economy Comfort seating as my consolation prize. I also booked 4 months in advance, so I snagged seat 19C, which is ostensibly the best seat on the plane because it's an aisle exit row in the bulkhead with about 6 feet of legroom when the flight attendant isn't in the jumpseat. It's also at door 2L, which means you can deplane before just about anyone else, which makes the customs line shorter.
Economy Comfort seats are the same exact width as normal coach seats, except they have up to 4 inches more of legroom and 50% more recline. Additionally, you get complimentary spirits on international flights (beer and wine are already free) and zone 2 boarding. Delta is installing Economy Comfort on domestic flights, but it will only feature the 4" more legroom and no free drinks.
Cost:
Free for Diamond and Platinum Medallions, Flying Blue Platinum and those who purchase Y, B, M (expensive) coach fares.
50% off for Gold Medallion, Flying Blue Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, and Alaska Airlines MVP Gold.
25% off for Silver Medallion, Flying Blue Silver, SkyTeam Elite, Alaska Airlines MVP.
My experience:
The legroom was nice, but I found the increased recline to be nominal. Service was brusque and I don't feel like Economy Comfort was treated any differently than coach, versus many other airlines, like KLM, who treat their Economy Comfort passengers to an elevated level of service and many even have better, wider seats all together. British Airways even gives Premium Economy passengers a bigger seat and Business Class food!
I think my biggest issue was the lack of padding on the seat. After 6 hours my bottom half felt numb and there's not much room to walk around on a cramped single-aisle 757 (plus the forward coach restroom was out of service for the entire flight).
I haven't flown a lot of Premium Economy products on other airlines, but I do really like KLM's Economy Comfort, which I've flown twice in the past year. The main difference is the completely separate Economy Comfort cabin and 100% increase in recline, which makes a huge difference. I remember thinking, "I could totally be comfortable in this seat going to Asia," whereas with Delta's I was maxed out after 6 hours.
My parents who sat two rows behind me liked the extra legroom (my Dad is 6'3"), but weren't exactly raving about the product. Then again we paid $370 each roundtrip, so I think we were all just happy to be going back to our "homeland" and on the cheap.
Overall, in my opinion it's certainly better than a regular coach seat, but nothing to get too excited about. I don't think I'd pay for it as a Gold/Silver/Non-Medallion unless I wasn't able to secure an exit row, in which case I'd probably shell out the $80 (price for JFK-Dublin upgrade to Economy Comfort) for the sole sake of not going insane in a regular coach seat. Then again, I'm 6'7" and sitting in a regular coach seat on an international flight with someone reclining into me is my worst nightmare!
Anyone else have opinions on Delta's Economy Comfort product or any other airlines premium coach seating?
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.