In marketing, there’s the “good, better, best” concept. For example, think of how Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic are all different brand tiers of one company or how Apple has a budget iPhone 16e, the standard iPhone 16, and then the top-end iPhone 16 Pro. Well, it now seems as though Delta is taking this model to new heights by introducing multiple tiers to each class of service.
First, there are five main types of Delta service — including one slightly adjusted name:
- Delta Main
- Delta Comfort
- Delta First
- Delta Premium Select
- Delta One
That’s right: Delta Comfort+ is now simply Delta Comfort. Although that language change sounds like a downgrade, it’s the same product for the most part. It should also be noted that not every one of these classes will be offered on each Delta flight as Delta Premium Select and Delta One are only offered on long-haul flights aboard wide-body planes. And, with Delta First and Delta One both representing the premium cabin, you won’t find both on the same flight.
What’s new is that you’ll now find multiple options within each of those five categories. Starting with Delta Main, there are now three tiers: Delta Main Basic, Delta Main Classic, and Delta Main Extra. As for the others, each includes both a Classic and an Extra tier. These new options are now on sale for flights on or after October 1st.
So what makes Extra extra? That depends on which tier you’re talking about. For Delta Main Extra, the benefits include earning 7 SkyMiles per $1 spent versus 5 miles per dollar for Classic, boarding in Zone 5 (instead of Zone 6 for SkyMiles members, Zone 7 for non-members, or Zone 8 for Delta Main Basic), the ability to get a refund to your original form of payment rather than an eCredit, and free same-day confirmed changes.
The theme of more miles extends to other Extra tiers as well, with other Extra tiers earning that same 7 SkyMiles per $1 spent rate (and those with Medallion status earning 2 miles per dollar more with Extra than they would with a regular ticket, even after their boosted rates). Similarly, refundability and same-day confirmed changes are also staples of the Extra products. Alas, Delta Main Extra is the only upper-tier option that includes better boarding versus those at the Classic level. Also, Extra won’t be offered for award bookings.
When I first saw the announcement of these tier options, I assumed that it would also include details about the rumored “basic business” class product. Instead, Main Cabin is still the only class to feature a Basic option while the others only gain the Extra upgrade. I’m actually pretty disappointed in this as I was at least curious about what a stripped-down version of Delta One might look like and what it would cost. I probably still couldn’t have afforded it, but a boy can dream.
I’ll also point out that I can’t help but think about Coca-Cola when I see the term “Classic.” Of course, in Coke’s case, the addition of the term was an acknowledgment of an error they’d made. Meanwhile, I can’t help but wonder if it’ll be the opposite effect for Delta.
At the end of the day, I suppose what’s really happening with this update is that they’re rebranding their refundable rates to appear more exciting. That’s not necessarily a bad idea — except that consumer perception so far seems to say that this makes the airline look greedy, pushing an “upgrade” that doesn’t have all that much to offer. I think I’d agree with that point in principle, although I have yet to really see fare info, which is kind of an important part of the story here. Then again, the sample graphic in Delta’s press release shows an example of Main Classic being $527 compared to $767 for Main Extra. That would be a hard pass from me.
Having said all of that, just keep in mind that Extra is only an option! If you’re happy with Classic, you’re welcome to stay at that level. Personally, that’s where I’m at — but I’m interested to see how this “good, better, best” approach works for Delta as it rolls out this fall.