Members of frequent flier programs have managed to remain relatively unscathed during recent fuel surcharge and airline fee hikes. However, Delta Air Lines has brought all of that to an end.

The carrier announced that it will now tack on a $25 fuel surcharge for Award Travel between the 50 states and Canada, and a $50 fuel surcharge for Award Travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations.

For more on Delta Airlines’ latest move and the continuing decline of frequent flier perks, visit RickSeaney.com.

Delta has a sweet perk for travelers from Los Angeles: if you fly Business Class to London Heathrow on Delta’s code-share partner Air France, you get free chauffeur service to and from the London airport.

It’s only good through May 30, but you can still get this service even if you’ve already purchased your tickets. Here’s what you do:

• Book your chauffeur and flight reservations simultaneously by contacting Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212
• Coordinate chauffeur service with your existing Business Class flight reservation by dialing the Delta Chauffeur Service Desk at 1-800-268-0555

Unfortunately, the chauffeur service is not available on the Los Angeles end of the trip.

Delta Airlines’ Business Elite airfare sale is still going. You can enjoy all of the luxury, space, and comfort of business class while jetting off to destinations throughout Europe.

The key to this airfare sale is advance purchase. The biggest savings on business class airline tickets are reserved for those who buy 50 days in advance. If you wait until 30 day out, you can end up spending over $1000 more each way.

Keep reading for sample Business Elite airfares from Delta Air Lines…

We see Y-Up (actually H-Up on Delta Airlines) airfares from Baltimore to Cleveland on a fairly consistent basis. The majority of flights along this route don’t even offer first class seating, but if you want to kick back on your way to Cleveland in style, you can fly first class on Delta Air Lines from Baltimore for $372+.

Keep reading for booking details…

The majority of the Delta Air Lines/Northwest Airlines merger talk has focused on how it will affect airline ticket prices, capacity control, and other potential mergers. However, there is concern among longstanding Northwest Airlines WorldPerks members regarding their frequent flier miles and any other benefits they may have picked up along the way.

Chris Elliott was kind enough to post correspondence from Northwest Airlines to its WorldPerks members on his site. In case you missed it, keep reading to see what Northwest and WorldPerks had to say about the future of your frequent flier miles…

It’s time to fly first class for less than coach again with a Y-Up airfare. Delta Air Lines is offering a Y-Up airfare (technically an H-Up on Delta) from Phoenix to Seattle for $426+ R/T for travel dates in mid-March.

As a point of reference, flying coach from Phoenix to Seattle on the same day on Delta could cost you as much as $515+ R/T. So, why not fly in style for less?

Keep reading for booking details and for information on how to fly first class for less than coach from your home airport…

Last week, we took a look at the perks of international business class flights on United Airlines. Let’s keep things going with a look at what Delta Air Lines offers its international business class travelers.

Like many international business class programs, Delta’s BusinessElite service starts before you ever step on the plane. You can enjoy priority check in and spend your time before the flight relaxing at Delta’s Crown Room Club lounge.

One of Delta’s goals is to get their international business class passengers checked in and boarded on the plane quickly. Once onboard, those passengers can start taking full advantage of BusinessElite…

Delta Air Lines is ramping up their business class service, and right now you can find Business Class Leisure airfares at a discount to destinations all over the world.

If you want to enjoy the 160 degree recline, 5-course meal, multi-media entertainment, and all the other joys Delta Business Class has to offer at a reduced price, you have to book 50 days in advance. That’s important to keep in mind, because you can end up spending considerably more money if you don’t book early on these flights.

Keep reading for some sample one-way business class airfares that are currently available on Delta Air Lines…