Woman considered switching her flight from Allegiant to Delta, then saw what ‘benefits’ come with a $200 upgrade: ‘We are getting scammed’

A traveler nearly switched from Allegiant to Delta, only to find a $200 premium upgrade still carried many of the same limits as the cheapest tickets. Annie explained in her TikTok video that she had not flown Delta in a while because Allegiant worked for the routes she needed, and she felt the smaller airline offered better loyalty programs than the larger carriers.

In the video, Annie said she went to book a Delta flight and looked at moving up from basic economy. She stated that basic economy is restrictive because passengers cannot earn points, change their flight, pick their seat, or receive an upgrade. She said the Comfort+ option cost only an extra $200 and that she assumed a premium seat would restore the benefits missing from the lowest fare.

Annie said in the video that she then learned Delta had created different tiers inside the premium section as well. She explained that the airline now offers Comfort Basic, so passengers earn fewer points than they would on a Comfort Main or Comfort Classic seat. She added that they still cannot pick their seat and remain ineligible for upgrades. Annie said, “Like, we are getting scammed here,” and that the restrictions keep getting worse and worse.

Delta adds Comfort Basic tickets with extra legroom and reduced perks

According to The Points Guy, Delta launched Comfort Basic on Nov. 19, 2025, as a skinnier version of its extra-legroom Comfort cabin, currently available only on very select domestic flights. Passengers still receive the roomier rows, early boarding, free alcoholic drinks, dedicated overhead bin space, and Zone 3 boarding.

Some restrictions reportedly resemble those on basic economy, now called Main Basic: seats are assigned after check-in, elite members are not eligible for first-class upgrades, same-day changes are not allowed, and cancellation fees apply.

Passengers do earn SkyMiles and Medallion Qualification Dollars at a reduced rate of 2 miles per dollar spent, and those with Sky Club access can still enter the lounges. Comfort Basic is not currently available for award bookings, per the report. Lounge access has been a sore spot for other Delta customers too, like a basic economy flyer denied Sky Club access.

According to the Star Tribune, Comfort Basic is Delta’s 12th fare type and remains hard to find because it is offered in very select markets. On a one-way flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Fort Myers, Fla., on Jan. 7, Delta Comfort was advertised from $189, with Comfort Basic at $189, Comfort Classic at $229, and the fully refundable Comfort Extra at $289.

Comfort Basic passengers face a fee of $99 to $199 if they change or cancel, cannot select their seat, and see a booking note that seats are assigned after check-in and are likely to be a middle seat. They earn only 2 miles per dollar, cannot receive an upgrade, and cannot make a same-day confirmed change or do same-day standby.

Delta has framed the expanded options as a way to give customers more choice. In July, Delta President Glen Hauenstein said, “I think the segmentation that we’ve done in the main cabin is kind of the template that we’re going to bring to all of our premium cabins over time.” He added, “It’s all about giving people more choice, more pricing options, and more products and services in every cabin.”

Several people who watched Annie’s video expressed frustration with the growing number of restricted fares. One commenter suggested the changes could eventually hurt the airline, writing, “Their greed will be their undoing.” Delta’s pricing has drawn similar TikTok criticism before, including from a traveler shocked by Delta’s Mexico fares.

Another compared Delta’s current approach to a low-cost carrier but without the low prices, stating, “Delta is practically spirit now except it’s not cheap.” A third commenter said they would abandon air travel altogether if better alternatives existed, writing, “I swear if they had high speed trains. I would be done.”

Others focused on the cost. One wrote, “Delta is so unbelievably expensive for genuinely no reason.” Another said, “Delta has gotten out of hand!!! It’s not worth it anymore. First Class CLASSIC blew t–f outta me!!” A final commenter pointed out the wide price differences for the same trip, writing, “Mind you we’re all going to the same destination for completely different prices.”