Delta cuts trip customization, quietly eliminates discounted Wi-Fi package
Every airline is making changes to the end-to-end travel experience during the pandemic.
Delta has been at the forefront of the safety and onboard wellbeing campaign. The carrier is blocking seats into 2021, cleaning planes at every turn and more. In April, Delta became the first U.S. airline to extend SkyMiles Medallion elite status through Jan. 2022.
Now, the Atlanta-based carrier is making adjustments to the ticketing process. Specifically, Delta is cutting Trip Extras, effective Thursday, Aug. 27, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the carrier.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
What are Trip Extras?
Trip Extras were a slew of ancillary products available when booking a flight, managing your trip or checking in. For a fee, Delta offered three additional a la carte experiences on top of your ticket — priority boarding, inflight Wi-Fi passes and Mileage Booster.
According to Delta,
"We are retiring Trip Extras effective August 27, but customers will still be able to purchase onboard Wi-Fi ahead of their trip at Delta.com/wifi or once they are on board their flight. All Trip Extras purchased before August 27 will still be available for customers to enjoy."
For $15, coach passengers could purchase priority boarding and secure overhead bin space before others. North America 24-hour Wi-Fi passes were available for $16. Finally, Mileage Booster offered the ability to earn more SkyMiles at a cost of $29 for 1,000 miles, $44 for 2,000 miles and $59 for 3,000 miles.
Related: The complete guide to earning and redeeming Delta SkyMiles
What's changing
As part of this development, Delta is quietly increasing Wi-Fi pricing for those purchasing a pass before flying. Previously, through Trip Extras, an all-day domestic pass was available for $16. Alternatively, you could opt to purchase the same pass for $19 at Delta.com/wifi.
Now, with the elimination of Trip Extras, flyers are no longer able to purchase the discounted $16 pass. As such, the cost jumps by nearly 20% to $19.
Of course, Delta flyers can always use free inflight messaging if they prefer not to pay for internet access. And hopefully, Delta will soon offer fleetwide free Wi-Fi. But in the meantime, the price increase certainly stings for those who pre-purchase Wi-Fi passes.
Priority boarding remains available to elites, SkyMiles Select members, eligible Amex co-branded cardmembers, certain corporate customers and those purchasing premium cabin fares. Note that Delta has temporarily implemented a back-to-front boarding process due to the pandemic, so priority boarding isn't all that helpful right now.
There's no replacement for Mileage Booster, but purchasing additional SkyMiles was hardly a good deal. The 3,000-mile pack was available for 1.97 cents per point, well above TPG's SkyMiles valuation of 1.2 cents per point. Purchasing Mileage Booster only made sense if you were closing in on an award redemption or didn't have a stockpile of Amex Membership Rewards to transfer to Delta.
Related: The best credit cards for Delta flyers
Bottom line
In a way, Delta's timing is puzzling. Because of the reduced travel demand due to the pandemic, carriers are looking for all the cash they can get. Removing Trip Extras now seems like a lost revenue opportunity.
However, Delta likely didn't have too many passengers purchasing these offerings. As it looks to further customize the travel journey, I wouldn't be surprised if Delta relaunched a tailored version of Trip Extras, including the ability to redeem SkyMiles for trip enhancements. It would also be great if first-class flyers could purchase discounted Wi-Fi packs.
Only time will tell what happens next, but for now, Delta flights will have fewer customization options — and a more expensive Wi-Fi package.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.