ATL's train...or a four-door Porsche Panamera? (Photo: SocialisBetter)
Delta is being uncharacteristically coy about a flashy new program underway at ATL since early November. Several TICKET readers report being pleasantly surprised by new chauffeur service (via Porsche no less) from the jetway to their cars upon arrival at ATL.
Here’s what we are hearing:
From reader Eason Jordan:
As I disembarked from my LGA-ATL Delta flight last night, I was surprised to see in the jetway two young men holding up signs with the names of six passengers – my name included. When I asked the fellow holding the sign with my name on it what he wanted, he escorted me down the jetway stairs to the tarmac and ushered me into the front passenger seat of a new Porsche Cayenne SUV. He told me Delta recently embarked on a trial program in partnership with Porsche to show their love for top-tier Delta frequent fliers. Two fellow frequent fliers hopped in the back seat, after which we were whisked not to the main terminal but directly to our cars in separate parking lots at opposite sides of the airport. What a ride!
I quizzed the gregarious driver about the program. He said the unpublicized program was the brainchild of Delta’s CEO. Why Porsche’s involvement? Porsche is moving its North American headquarters to a new site adjacent to the airport, and Porsche wants to impress Delta’s most elite passengers – potential Porsche customers. The ATL Delta-Porsche program fields eight always-working passenger-shuttling Porsche vehicles – six SUVs and two sedans. Two vehicles work each select inbound flight. Sometimes the Porsche team shuttles late arriving connecting elites to a far-flung terminal connecting flight, while other times the Porsche team shuttles incoming elites directly from the arriving tarmac to their cars in airport parking lots. My driver said the program caters to medallion fliers – mostly Diamond, but others, too. I’m a three million miler with Delta, and at times I’m among Delta’s most vocal critics. I pleased to say this surprise reward program is a big-time winner, leaving me grateful and dreaming of owning a Porsche SUV.
Here’s another from Reader JK:
Have you heard about the DL/Porche customer appreciation program that started Nov. 1 (I’m sure you have…you know everything!). We landed this morning at ATL, B24. As the door opened, my name and another passengers were announced to proceed to the plane door where we were met by a member of DL’s Elite Service Representatives. He briefly explained that as Diamonds, we were to follow him down the jetway stairs where a Porsche Panamera was waiting. He told us that DL and Porsche were partnering to provide a special customer service for Delta’s best customers. We loaded into the car and he drove us from the tarmac to our cars in the Daily Parking lots! What a thrill!!!! Way to go Delta! Way to go Porsche!
**Porsche because, as you know, it will be building its NA HQ on the site of the old Ford plant adjacent to I-75 and end of runway.
Interestingly, Delta’s being very tight lipped about this. We asked for more details, but Delta would do nothing more than just confirm that the program is indeed in effect. Delta’s only made one public comment about the program over on the FlyerTalk boards:
I see that you’ve noticed a few of the spanking new vehicles trolling around ATL. It’s true that we have a team dedicated to transporting our highest value customers around the Atlanta hub and they’ve got a fleet of several vehicles with which to do so. As part of our partnership with Porsche (which includes shipping cars from Germany to Atlanta), they’ve provided us with a few fancy new rides to add to our VIP fleet. A couple of things to clarify:
1. Delta didn’t pay for these cars.
2. You won’t see any of our executives in these cars – they’re for HVCs [“High Value Customers”] only.
3. The Porsches are quite literally a new toy we get to play with so we’re testing out how to best use them. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, they’ll be used as a “surprise and delight” for some of our best customers.
Have you been picked up in a Porsche yet? Why do you think Delta’s being so coy about this? Perhaps they don’t want to be seen catering to the recently maligned 1%? Maybe they don’t want Medallions to start to expect the service, and complain if they don’t get a ride? Please leave your comments below! And if you get picked up in a Porsche, take a picture and send it to us… we’ll post it right here!
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Thanks for the update, Mark! Glad to know it’s still working for the super elites 🙂
This is an old post, but I though I’d give you a 2017 update. I recently had a tight connection and saw my name as I was exiting the aircraft – there were two of us and the Porsche whisked away down the tarmac to our waiting plane. They closed the door right after we boarded. That’s service. Being a Diamond has its benefits.
I think this is a perk. In my case, I fly quite frequently. I am familiar with the layout of the Atlantal terminals. On June 4,2012, I was completing my last trip to turn over my customer accounts, as it was my last day before retirement.
When we landed, our gate was E-34. I had a tight connection at B-10. Now that is a long trek with but 30 minutes, knowing my plane was boarding as I was departing. Thoughts in my mind were the same as usual, “Why is it the the shortest connections are always at the end of each concourse and three four concourses apart:.
I happened to be the first passenger off the plan. A person was stading by the door with a sheet of paper showing my name and two other names. First impression was something was wrong. The person called my name as if he knew who I was. After introductions, he said he was there to ‘chauffer’ me to my next flight since I had a short connection and it was a courtesy of Delta for frequent flyers.
I was leery. More skeptical as we proceeded out the door and down the steps that are restricted to non-authorized personnel.
Kevin explained the program and what Delta was doing. I was very impressed and thought it would be nice to have this opportunity in the future. But, as my last day before retirement, I wanted to beleive it was a gesture, just for me. I will have this in my mind for may years to come.
Thank you Delta. I will miss all the traveling with such a great airline. When I have occasion to take trips, it will always be on Delta.
Quit your whining! I think it’s a great marketing tool. I’m Diamond.
I’ve actually been picked up twice now–once in the cayenne and just recently in the panamera. Travel as much as we Diamonds do in industries that require us to choose a life leaving our families each week in the wee hours, working long and often gruelling weeks in different cities and strange hotels, then flying home usually late into the evening, getting pulled many directions over the weekend while friends and family compete for our time only to start over again that next Monday.
It’s nice to feel appreciated and special every now and again. I know my job along with travel is my choice. I could take a less paying job. But in the end, I’d still be away from home just as much if not more making less or so I’ve reasoned with myself to keep with the pace.
So maybe you think it’s a waste. But I’ll continue my loyalty to Delta. Why? In both instances I was given that Porsche ride, I was extremely beat down from the week. By the time I made it to my ride (I get picked up), I was wearing a smile, my mood had lightened and I greeted my family with more enthusiasm and love then I imagine I would have had I walked off the plane, dragged my bag down the terminal, waited with strangers for the train, loaded into it like a herd of cows only to ascend up the escalators and out the door to smiling faces with a worn scowl.
Thanks! Delta you made my day! Twice!! I appreciate you too! 😀
We were running really late to connect to our next flight. We landed in A terminal and had to catch our connection out of E terminal. I had given up of making this connection in 15 minutes, but this program shuttled us across the airport and we made the flight with 2 minutes to spare! Previously wondering why bothering to stay loyal, as “the floggings will continue until morale improves” was the order of the day, this really made a very positive impression. It’s a great way to make the frequent traveller feel special. Potential Porsche customer? Sure, but not unless I get to take it for a test drive down the runway!
Even though I’m not a Diamond (or Plat, Gold or Silver, for that matter), I like it! Porsche gave Delta (and itself) a marketing opportunity and Delta chose to use it to reward their top tier. Having a few fancy cars at their disposal isn’t going to fix their other problems, mentioned below, so, why the whining?
Learned of this new perk as I was traveling via DL this week. Visited the website this morning and was asked to complete a survey about (what else) timing for the next automobile I might purchase. Included are questions re: the # of luxury vehicles currently owned and potential next purchase. Guess which car company is at the top of the list in both questions? You guessed it-Porsche!!!
This is the Delta way—you’re either a Diamond Medallion or you don’t exist.
Delta can’t even take care of the basic needs of their passengers never mind the top FF’s. As a Diamond MM I would much rather see less lost luggage, better food/beverage options and be able to use
The complimentary upgrades for companions instead of being whisked around in a Porche.