Last week, roles were reversed here at Points, Miles & Martinis. As most frequent readers know, Alex usually prefers flying with Southwest and I usually fly Delta. But with a few changes due to the storm, we each some how ended up fly the others normal carrier, or carrier team in my case with AirTran. I believe Alex was in shock when he wrote his Delta domestic flight from a Southwest devout post (while mid-flight on a Delta flight by the way) because he missed a few key points, but he also made some good ones as well.

Southwest and Delta both fly 737s, but that is where the similarities stop.

Delta Complimentary Upgrades

Alex mentioned he got stuck in the Guillotine seat, a seat I am all to familiar with because of a last minute same day confirmed change. Even though Alex had a horrible seat with virtually zero legroom, this is not the typical experience of a frequent flyer. Assuming Alex flies 100 segments on Delta, he would be a Platinum member and would likely had a seat view that looked like the picture below.

Economy Comfort

Delta frequent flyers can reserve economy comfort seats for up to 4 extra inches of legroom.

Large Planes With More Room

With Delta, you have the opportunity to fly wide body planes and get upgraded to International Business Class seats on domestic routes.

• I flew Delta’s A330 in international Business Class from Los Angeles where I had a beer with Samantha Brown on a domestic coach ticket
• I also flew Delta’s 777 in international Business Class to Los Angeles in their lie-flat seats
• You can fly Delta’s nternationally configured 747
• You can also fly Delta’s internationally configured 767

Best Bourbon In Sky

Delta serves what I believe is the Best Bourbon in the Sky, and it is complimentary in First or you can get one free as an elite in coach through the Have One On Us coupons.

What Bourbon does Southwest serve their frequent flyers?

SkyClub With Luxury Bar

Diamond frequent flyers with Delta get complimentary access to SkyClubs. Complimentary beverages and snacks are provided. Although you can gain access to the SkyClubs with a credit card like the American Express Platinum credit card.

Does Southwest let you in their lounges as a frequent flyer 🙂

Partners That Flyer Internationally Which You Can Use Miles On

Delta actually has some great airline partners where you can actually redeem for Business Class Internationally.

When did Southwest start flying internationally?

Bottom Line

There are many reasons to Fly Delta and Southwest, and Alex and I choose our carriers for different reason (location, points earning, comfort, etc.)

My argument isn’t against racking up Southwest Rapid Reward points, just that by flying Delta (if reasonable alternative to Southwest) as a frequent flyer there are more benefits than just more points and miles.

Did I miss anything?

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