Book Delta Premium Select Awards Before Impending Devaluation
While Delta has sold an extra-legroom economy seat as "premium economy" for years, it's finally in the process of rolling out a true premium economy product. The new Premium Select launched at the same time as the new Delta One Suites last October on the airline's brand new Airbus A350.
From its launch, passengers who booked Premium Select tickets that included a domestic US connection would fly in first class on those legs. Say you booked Atlanta to Detroit to Tokyo in Premium Select. You'd get first class from Atlanta to Detroit and premium economy from Detroit to Tokyo.
That is, until earlier this week, when Delta Premium Select tickets suddenly lost this first class connection. Premium Select passengers now only get Comfort+ (extra-legroom economy with slightly better perks) on domestic legs — despite some expensive pricing:
Despite this change to revenue flights, Premium Select award tickets are continuing to book into first class on the domestic legs. For example, here are the same flights booked with SkyMiles, which are still getting domestic legs booking into first class:
This ability to get first class on the domestic connection on awards but not revenue tickets makes SkyMiles ever-so-marginally more valuable.
However, it may not remain like this for long. A Delta spokesperson said in order "to ensure a consistent customer experience, Delta aligns the award shopping experience with that of the regular shopping experience." For this seating difference between Premium Select fares and awards, Delta is "evaluating the alignment in this case as well."
While we have no details on when this change may or may not take place, I would take this statement to mean that Delta is in the process of making this change. If first class seats on domestic connections make a difference to you, I'd recommend booking award tickets sooner rather than later.
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