Points Scrounger

Oh no? As an Alaska elite who's not averse to a bit of gate-licing, I've usually boarded not long after first class, with many DL Sky-priority elites behind me. On many routes, Zone 1 would be a significant delay, although there should still be overhead space somewhat nearby.

meballard

For the purpose of pretty much guaranteeing space in the overhead bin before you board before a large percentage of people it isn't much difference. There is a larger number of people who board though because it includes people that have a boarding benefit from their AMEX card.

PV_Premier

for those of us who have precheck via Nexus/GE, it really doesn't matter so much given that most airports are now going toward PRE at least at peak times. i haven't missed PRE since my GE interview (knock on wood).

in addition, enforcement of the priority security lanes is pretty lax at many airports. i'll just flash my MVPG card if it becomes an issue and see what happens if PRE is out of the picture for some reason.

UAAAPeter

My AS MVP is in real peril now - I am really upset about the bags especially as UA has dumped BKK.

I really have to rethink my loyalties and it annoys me when this comes mid year like this.

But are we surprised at this behavior? Not in the least. DL's behavior is like a spoiled adolescent these days as they think they are doing so well. And maybe they are, but for darn sure it won't last as in this business it never does. And then the chickens will come home to roost. Chapter 13 yet again.

Basically there are too few airlines competing. It is rare that there are 3 old timers that are strong in any market - so that leaves one or at the most two on most routes. And that means we now have a monopoly or duopoly in many cases. Gee our elected representatives in DC did us a big favor - as usual.

Maybe I just stick with UA and AA as at least they are nice to me. DL has poleaxed me more than once. Like some years ago when they pulled the PDX Crown room for a while and would not refund the fee I had just paid. Arrogance then and arrogance now. They even had the cheek to say I had too many L fares for their liking. And anyway I can never get FF tickets at the low redemption mileage on DL. Oh well it is only a corporation and corporations don't have a soul so why am I getting uptight you are thinking? Good point.

Waitlisted

Thanks folks for the answers. Truthfully, as we both have global entry anyway, seems we are really only losing a free bag (or two), and the ability to buy up to better seats at a discount.

Seems we still get "priority check-in" (not sure if this means the sky priority check-in line or not), and zone 1 isn't so bad in comparison to Sky priority getting on the plane.

Does anyone know how this will affect our relationship with KLM? In the past I have been able to use the sky priority check-in line if the original ticket was booked on DL from the US to AMS.

PV_Premier

if we can just hang onto earning EQMs until EOY, i will be a happy camper. i'm too far invested in AS and qualifying via DL at this point in the year to turn back now.

Quintious

The only thing I'll miss there is access to the security lines. But since I'm TSA Pre, maybe it doesn't even matter...seems odd that that'd be one of the things they'd nix.

Waitlisted

Might be a good time to post the DL baggage rules. The $25 fee for the first bag only applies between the US/Canada and to the US/Canada/Caribbean. So trips to Europe, middle east, etc, etc still allow one free 50lb bag (in coach) per person.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...p/checked.html

PWMTrav

DL doesn't treat it's own elites pretty well, check out what's been going on there

If there's one thing I like about DL it's their redemption of Skymiles on partners. On DL metal, good luck ever finding anything at their lowest "saver" tier, but on partners there's only one award chart. Up until recently, which I just took advantage of, it was 100k with no fuel surcharges on AF BOS-CDG-FLR. It's now 125k, but given what other carriers have done, it isn't bad - and DL is an Amex MR partner.

As I tell others, I love DL - for partner awards. I have no interest in flying them

Seattlenerd

For those curious, here's the relevant text from the Alaska Airlines email. While I'm glad the preferred seating is being maintained, several of the takeaways are pretty significant (and those "complimentary upgrades" have never come through for me).

Elite Benefits on Delta are Changing

Effective May 1, 2014, your benefits as an MVP Gold 75K will be changing when you fly on Delta. We'd like to take a moment to recap the changes you can expect to see, including an end to baggage fee waivers and Sky Priority Boarding. You'll still continue to enjoy benefits like Complimentary Upgrades and Zone 1 Boarding as well as earning miles and redeeming them for award travel on Delta.

We work hard to make your experience the best it can be, and hope that you enjoy the other benefits that come with being a Mileage Plan™ Elite customer. Thank you for flying with us and being such an important part of Alaska Airlines. We look forward to serving you on board.

Your Delta Experience
What to Expect

Ending May 1:
ο Baggage Fee Waivers for Delta flights ticketed after April 30, 2014
ο Sky Priority Boarding
ο Delta's Express Security Lanes
ο Priority Baggage
ο 50% off Economy Comfort Seats

You'll Still Enjoy:
ο Priority Check-In
ο 100% Elite Bonus Miles
ο Complimentary Upgrades Lower 48
ο Preferred Seating
ο Zone 1 Priority Boarding

tombiro

Guess I'll be going through the AS terminal if I ever fly DL out of LAX, etc. Just bummed about this for those times I want to fly DL to CDG and then AF, etc. from there. Blah.

Onward!

[edit: good news about the Europe trips still including 50lbs, though]

Doc Savage

If you've ever had the displeasure of being forced to fly on US, you know that there is no way that will improve anything. We'll be lucky if they don't bring AA down their level.

Eastbay1K

Perhaps you mean Chapter 11. Although if there are chickens, it could be a Chapter 12.

meballard

If it becomes the same as what MVPs have gotten up to this point, at some airports it'll be the SkyPriority check-in, at other airports (mainly larger ones) it'll be a separate line for Silver/MVP/etc, which is still almost always better than the non-elite check-in area (only reason I say almost is that if there is no line for the non-elite, then there is no difference).

98103

This was not as bad as I had envisioned. I suspect things will change significantly on 1 January, but at least I know I can book DL to Europe this year. The one thing I'll miss is the more restricted choices to Europe and Asia, should I wish to maintain MVP status. I'm not a big fan of LHR, but better that to Europe than ORD or JFK. AMS, on the other hand, I quite like. Oh, and bummed about the EC discount going away.

I will brAAce myself for chAAnges to my flying hAAbits next yeAAr