Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns - Now You Can Move FF Miles to Delta

Frontier is now allowing its stranded Wisconsin flyers to move all those FF miles you have to Delta and SkyMiles.

You have to have a Wisconsin address on file with Frontier.

Here is the email portion. A unique link is in the email that they send you.......

As you know, in recent months Frontier has announced significant reductions to its Milwaukee flight schedule as part of a companywide effort to return to profitability. We realize that the reductions may inconvenience you and make it difficult for you to earn and use the Frontier EarlyReturns miles you already have.

Therefore, as a courtesy, we are offering you the one-time opportunity to convert your Frontier EarlyReturns miles into Delta miles. Delta Air Lines is growing its presence in Milwaukee, and by July, expects to have 31 nonstop flights each weekday from Milwaukee to Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York Kennedy and New York LaGuardia. Delta and Delta Connection® carriers serve more than 340 destinations worldwide — offering you nearly unlimited travel opportunities from Milwaukee.

Mile conversions will be done on an even basis — for example, 1,000 EarlyReturns miles will equal 1,000 Delta miles. To convert your miles from Frontier to Delta, please register by 8/31/12. Please allow up to 8 weeks for the miles to appear in your Delta SkyMiles account.

Do you think this means that you can transfer miles into ANY delta account ie doesn't have to have the same name?

I am so thrilld for this because of Frontier pulling out of GRB and ATW leaves me no choice but to drive to MKE.

My husband and I both have accounts, when I made the exchange for him it looked like everything was fine as a message popped up with his name on the account from Frontier regarding the transfer. When I clicked the exchange for my account , same message popped up with his name on the account. So I hope my miles transferred. Any thoughts?

Goodby Frontier!

Babs

I have not yet received an email, but I found the page to initiate the transfer.

http://www.frontierairlines.com/frequent-flyers/hot-offers/skymiles-exchange

FAQ's on the offer:

http://www.frontierairlines.com/faqs/delta-skymiles-exchange-faqs

Note that the entire account balance must be transferred, and once transferred, the transaction cannot be cancelled/reversed.

Thanks, tvnwz, for posting the info.

Wow any chance this is a olive branch from RJET to try to get some of the new DL 76 seat flying :D?

Anyway, its a welcome move that will probably help a lot of people out assuming it is broad enough. A lot of the Midwest Miles that were earned over the years were probably at times flown on DL equipment anyway.

I'm excited about this one, too - as I've flown Frontier very infrequently, and now I suspect it will be even less as they remove flights from MKE. So, padding my Delta account with a few extra miles is a sweet bonus!

A lot of the Midwest Miles that were earned over the years were probably at times flown on DL equipment anyway.

I earned a lot that way. And redeemed a lot of WorldPerks flights on YX metal as well. Particularly the KC non-stop was great. Now...sigh...

LOL...I would have posted this earlier this afternoon, but person after person has been coming up to me for advice.

As a Summit I also got this message:

Additionally, you will retain your Summit-level status on Frontier through its current expiration date and have the opportunity to experience Silver Medallion® status on Delta for 90 days. To retain Silver Medallion status, you will need to earn 8,000 Medallion Qualification Miles or 10 Medallion Qualification Segments on Delta or Delta Connection flights within the 90-day period

Although it's kind of an Auf Wiedersehen from Frontier, I give them a lot of credit for their effort on this. They could have simply done nothing, which is what I expected. I'm not sure there's much if any precident for this when a hub shuts down, is there?

I do wonder if this was initiated by Delta, and if so it's a smart move on their part to try and solidify their own beach head in Milwaukee at a time when plenty of Frontier flyers are up for grabs. One wonders what sort of monetary exchange is taking place between Frontier and Delta on this deal. Even if this is all Delta's doing and it's not costing Frontier a cent, Frontier still could have turned their back.

Regardless of who initiated it, I think it's a great opportunity for YX/F9 refugees in Wisconsin to salvage their miles.

This is great, I just got the Frontier mileage card in February. Then they stopped flights from MKE to DFW. I can't tell you how many times I was going to go to points.com to get aadvantage miles. This is a happy day. Thank you and goodbye.

LOL...I would have posted this earlier this afternoon, but person after person has been coming up to me for advice.

As a Summit I also got this message:

Additionally, you will retain your Summit-level status on Frontier through its current expiration date and have the opportunity to experience Silver Medallion® status on Delta for 90 days. To retain Silver Medallion status, you will need to earn 8,000 Medallion Qualification Miles or 10 Medallion Qualification Segments on Delta or Delta Connection flights within the 90-day period

Although it's kind of an Auf Wiedersehen from Frontier, I give them a lot of credit for their effort on this. They could have simply done nothing, which is what I expected. I'm not sure there's much if any precident for this when a hub shuts down, is there?

I do wonder if this was initiated by Delta, and if so it's a smart move on their part to try and solidify their own beach head in Milwaukee at a time when plenty of Frontier flyers are up for grabs. One wonders what sort of monetary exchange is taking place between Frontier and Delta on this deal. Even if this is all Delta's doing and it's not costing Frontier a cent, Frontier still could have turned their back.

Regardless of who initiated it, I think it's a great opportunity for YX/F9 refugees in Wisconsin to salvage their miles.

This is a great move by F9. If it was initiated/pushed by Delta, that's outstanding news that MKE is still important to DL.

It also shows that F9 is trying to steer folks away from WN/FL at MKE.

I am curious to see if the name on the F9 account has to match the name on the DL account. I'll try it tonight.

Is codeshare coming to Denver or maybe system wide? Maybe Delta would buy Frontier?? :D

Is codeshare coming to Denver or maybe system wide? Maybe Delta would buy Frontier?? :D
I hope not.

Didn't Delta try to work with buying Midwest & that fell thru?

For me just as well. I was going to do one more trip on Frontier but via MSP instead hoping to do 2 one ways - one with miles and one with a $75 credit I received for my bag being destroyed. I'll probably just transfer the miles & ditch the $75 credit as I don't know if it's transferable to anyone else.

Maybe Delta would buy Frontier?? :D

I can only hope!

I've been advising people left and right on this today -- it was hard to get any work accomplished this afternoon once the e-mail came out.

My advice:

(a) You've got through 8/31 to do this, so think it through first and don't jump the gun.

(b) You can only do it one time, so ideally the transfer is your last activity in the Frontier program.

(c) If you are still using a Frontier credit card, stop now and wait until your last miles post, or until 8/31, to transfer.

(d) If you still have Frontier flights coming, similarly hold off transferring until those miles post.

(e) Anecdotally it seems Delta miles can be notably harder to redeem, and I don't recall if Delta has a 12,500 one way award. If you have award travel you might use on Frontier, consider locking that in rather than moving your miles to Delta and taking your chances.

(f) If you are elite, Delta will comp you Silver fro 90 days and give you the chance to solidify that status with 8000 miles or 10 segments in that 90 days. Start the clock ticking at the best time you can. If your summer is slow but fall will be busy with travel, for example, register later. Or if you're likely flying Delta a lot in July and August, be sure to enroll before then.

This is a fantastic chance to avoid having "worthless" points stranded in an orphan program. If you use it, use it to your best advantage/

Knope,
I have no trouble redeeming miles. It's just how many miles you want to pay. Currently, there are no one-way awards and low level for redemption is 25,000 miles round trip. That low level is often hard to find, but not impossible, depending on where you are going. I often find the redemption rate to mirror the ticket price. Higher priced tickets available means award redemption will go up to 40-50-65K mileage redemption on a round trip.

Your suggestions are right on. No need to jump in right away, but plan a strategy of redemption that maximizes your investment.

... and I don't recall if Delta has a 12,500 one way award.

Delta does not price one-ways at half r/t. The minimum domestic redemption is low coach + low coach at 25K miles. If no return is booked, a dummy return consumes miles in the same class of service and low/medium/high award band. DL does allow (route-specific) domestic stopovers, however, unlike AA and UA.

When I look back at when my credit card statement closes each month, and the corresponding mile credit is posted, it's the next day. So that's very encouraging. However:

(a) I'm not positive if they post that quickly, or when they get around to posting they backdate it. My last CC statement codes 5/17 and shows posted to my FF account 5/18. Even if they just posted it today (backdated to 5/17) that's less than 20 days delay. (It might be much quicker than that...possibly it really does post the next day...but I can't be certain right now.)

(b) My other concern is if the bonus miles don't get posted as quickly as your run-of-the-mill miles. If you can get to the earning bonus fast, I'd guess you've got a very good shot at having it in your Frontier account prior to 8/31.

My gut says go for it. If worse comes to worse, what did you lose? You could have charged that $750 to another card that would have given you a small reward (750 miles on another airline, or small cash rebate on Discover, or some other smallish reward.)

So if I transfer all my miles does my F9 account close?

This is a really impressive move. And, I certainly hope it doesn't portend the future of an broader ownership position.

So if I transfer all my miles does my F9 account close?

I don't believe so. Elite members still retain their status, and so that suggests it doesn't close the account out.

This is a really impressive move. And, I certainly hope it doesn't portend the future of an broader ownership position.

I wouldn't think so. Delta is interested in the customers Frontier is leaving on the table in Wisconsin. It wouldn't suprise me if Delta approached Frontier knowing that they'd like to get the liability of millions of miles off their books. It's a win-win for both airlines, IMHO.

So if I transfer all my miles does my F9 account close?
No, it just drops your balance to zero.

When I look back at when my credit card statement closes each month, and the corresponding mile credit is posted, it's the next day. So that's very encouraging. However:

(a) I'm not positive if they post that quickly, or when they get around to posting they backdate it. My last CC statement codes 5/17 and shows posted to my FF account 5/18. Even if they just posted it today (backdated to 5/17) that's less than 20 days delay. (It might be much quicker than that...possibly it really does post the next day...but I can't be certain right now.)

(b) My other concern is if the bonus miles don't get posted as quickly as your run-of-the-mill miles. If you can get to the earning bonus fast, I'd guess you've got a very good shot at having it in your Frontier account prior to 8/31.

My gut says go for it. If worse comes to worse, what did you lose? You could have charged that $750 to another card that would have given you a small reward (750 miles on another airline, or small cash rebate on Discover, or some other smallish reward.)

Thinking about signing up for the Frontier Credit Card to get the bonus miles...does anyone have any information on how long it takes the 25k sign up +10k for spending $750 to show up in your account? Seems like almost 3 months should be enough time.

It's a win-win for both airlines, IMHO.

Agreed.

Is codeshare coming to Denver or maybe system wide? Maybe Delta would buy Frontier?? :D

They have not announced a codeshare and they probably never will. DL really doesn't like F9, but they really would like to "win" MKE over WN and this is a great way to accomplish that.

Where's the love for customers based at MCI? It seems like we're in the same boat as MKE as far as the F9 retrenchment goes. However, I'd prefer an option to transfer to AA, UA, or US over DL if I had a choice.

ExitRowAisle
A Dissatisfied 2nd Class Starwood Platinum Member

So if I transfer all my miles does my F9 account close?

It closes after two years of no activity, according to current rules.

Can they be transferred to someone's Delta account with a different name?
How long till the transfer posts?

Darth Delta says to MKE Frontier pax - " I am your father, search your feelings, you know it to be true".

" Join me on the dark side and together we can defeat Southwest".

:D

knope2001
Delta is interested in the customers Frontier is leaving on the table in Wisconsin. It wouldn't suprise me if Delta approached Frontier knowing that they'd like to get the liability of millions of miles off their books. It's a win-win for both airlines, IMHO.

^

Ridding the books of the liability of all those miles is a great step towards making a F9 sale more viable.
The new Delta pilot TA is causing serious pilot heartburn; it offers the likelihood of more mainline flying via Southwest's 717s, but also more 76-seat contract (non-Delta) flying. Pilot concern is that RJET will be contracted to fly Q400s for Delta.
Don't think that Delta feels much love for F9, but is willing to work with RJET in their mutual interest against SWA.

^

Ridding the books of the liability of all those miles is a great step towards making a F9 sale more viable.
The new Delta pilot TA is causing serious pilot heartburn; it offers the likelihood of more mainline flying via Southwest's 717s, but also more 76-seat contract (non-Delta) flying. Pilot concern is that RJET will be contracted to fly Q400s for Delta.
Don't think that Delta feels much love for F9, but is willing to work with RJET in their mutual interest against SWA.

Delta LOVES Frontier, but Delta LOVEs labor peace with its pilots too. The labor/scope issues were the only thing IMO all along preventing a great big Delta/ Frontier lovefest.

I do agree with you, hat attack, that people need to connect the dots. Delta's May PRASM down because Southwest was eating its ham sandwiches.

So Delta is offering its pilots a 20% pay increase and 717 flying in exchange for scope relief; they must want it badly.

I've been advising people left and right on this today -- it was hard to get any work accomplished this afternoon once the e-mail came out.

My advice:

(a) You've got through 8/31 to do this, so think it through first and don't jump the gun.

(b) You can only do it one time, so ideally the transfer is your last activity in the Frontier program.

(c) If you are still using a Frontier credit card, stop now and wait until your last miles post, or until 8/31, to transfer.

(d) If you still have Frontier flights coming, similarly hold off transferring until those miles post.

(e) Anecdotally it seems Delta miles can be notably harder to redeem, and I don't recall if Delta has a 12,500 one way award. If you have award travel you might use on Frontier, consider locking that in rather than moving your miles to Delta and taking your chances.

(f) If you are elite, Delta will comp you Silver fro 90 days and give you the chance to solidify that status with 8000 miles or 10 segments in that 90 days. Start the clock ticking at the best time you can. If your summer is slow but fall will be busy with travel, for example, register later. Or if you're likely flying Delta a lot in July and August, be sure to enroll before then.

This is a fantastic chance to avoid having "worthless" points stranded in an orphan program. If you use it, use it to your best advantage/

Great advice!

Also, can any Frontier member do this? It's obviously targeted to one set of customers, but is there anything to prevent another member from taking advantage of this deal? I love Frontier and flying out of Provo is extremely convenient for me, but SLC is a Delta hub and I would have opportunities for non-stops instead of always having to work around a Denver connection... Please note, I'm not actually considering this, but I can see other flyers in my situation using the same thought processes.

Great advice!

Also, can any Frontier member do this? It's obviously targeted to one set of customers, but is there anything to prevent another member from taking advantage of this deal? I love Frontier and flying out of Provo is extremely convenient for me, but SLC is a Delta hub and I would have opportunities for non-stops instead of always having to work around a Denver connection... Please note, I'm not actually considering this, but I can see other flyers in my situation using the same thought processes.

It is only available to residents of WI.

hazelrah
Delta LOVES Frontier, but Delta LOVEs labor peace with its pilots too. The labor/scope issues were the only thing IMO all along preventing a great big Delta/ Frontier lovefest.
...
So Delta is offering its pilots a 20% pay increase and 717 flying in exchange for scope relief; they must want it badly.

Delta has been lining their ducks in a row since the SWA purchase of AirTran.
Bedford is trying to wrangle some type of Delta/Skyteam/RJET alliance - either formal or informal (the Frontier FFmileage assumption and RJET pursuit of contract flying). Ultimately, it will probably be pretty limited - but Delta is open to discussion.

Relations btw Delta and their pilot group have been tense for a while. The pilots are not blown away by the pay raises and unhappy about further reduction in scope. Pilot group was pretty intent on raises that would put them "one cent above SWA pilot pay rate" as a matter of pride and this contract offer won't do it.
The Yea/Nay debate has grown unusually contentious within the pilot group (their was a physical altercation btw pilots at the ATL contract roadshow this week), but in the end, I think the pay raises will be just good enough for them to give up more scope and open the door to contract RJET flying.

It is only available to residents of WI.

Could you not just change your mailing address to a Wisconsin mailing address? Not that I am recommending this!

Delta LOVES Frontier, but Delta LOVEs labor peace with its pilots too. The labor/scope issues were the only thing IMO all along preventing a great big Delta/ Frontier lovefest.

Delta is going to need some firm to fly the ~70 added 76-passenger jets allowed by the new scope clause if the mainline pilots approve the deal. RJET subsidiaries are obvious competitors for that.

Could you not just change your mailing address to a Wisconsin mailing address? Not that I am recommending this!

IIRC, the last time they offered a promo just for Wisconsin residents, changing your address did not work.

ExitRowAisle
A Dissatisfied 2nd Class Starwood Platinum Member

Could you not just change your mailing address to a Wisconsin mailing address? Not that I am recommending this!

It's funny you mention that, I just moved from AUS to MKE and forgot to change my F9 address until last night, so hopefully it'll work for me if I decide to try it.

Delta is going to need some firm to fly the ~70 added 76-passenger jets allowed by the new scope clause if the mainline pilots approve the deal. RJET subsidiaries are obvious competitors for that.

RJET already flies a lot of E70s for DL, and DL seems to enjoy the service as they added 14 of the planes that were flying for F9 last year. RJET would be a shoe in for at least some of the expanded flying.

Hi All-

I got this e-mail yesterday and was honestly perplexed what to do. Cons: In my experience, Delta has very few flights out of Milwaukee. Also, I like to spread my miles across a few airlines, as it helps when one airline doesn't have award seats available, but another airline does. You can maximize the chances of getting an award seat. Pros: Delta has a lot more international flights.

Unknowns: I would love input on any.

Will Frontier cut more flights from Milwaukee? If so, Frontier does not fly from Chicago that I am aware, so this will leave me up a creek. Anyone know?

Will Delta really add flights to Milwaukee? Anyone know?

In my experience, Frontier FF miles have been pretty easy to use. Delta miles were easy, but seem to have gotten more complex the last time I tried for a ticket. Have others experienced this?

Thanks for any thoughts!

Erin

Cons: In my experience, Delta has very few flights out of Milwaukee.
They might not have a ton of P2P stuff from MKE, but they've pretty much solidified themselves as the #2 carrier here following the added routes to LGA/JFK.



Will Frontier cut more flights from Milwaukee? If so, Frontier does not fly from Chicago that I am aware, so this will leave me up a creek. Anyone know?

Well, we all know that RHI will eventually be gone and that leaves DEN, DCA, and MCO (which is less than daily), so really there isn't much more to cut. And F9 does have flights from MDW.

Frontier does not fly from Chicago that I am aware.
Erin,

They fly out of both O'Hare and Midway in Chicago.

Although anything is possible, and some other opinions might disagree, I doubt Frontier will drop Milwaukee outright. I do think that Washington and Orlando flights are a maybe/maybe not proposition. But Frontier served Milwaukee long before there was any link to Midwest or Republic, and there's no particular reason to think MKE-DEN is in any more danger than STL-DEN, BNA-DEN, OMA-DEN, etc. That Southwest is reducing MKE-DEN from 3x to 2x in November suggests that Frontier is holding its own in the market.

In addition to Chicago, Frontier also serves Madison with flights to Denver, Washington, and Orlando. Madison flights to Washington and Orlando are a maybe/maybe not proposition for the longer term, too. So that's another notch of insurance.

Although anything is possible, and some other opinions might disagree, I doubt Frontier will drop Milwaukee outright. I do think that Washington and Orlando flights are a maybe/maybe not proposition. But Frontier served Milwaukee long before there was any link to Midwest or Republic, and there's no particular reason to think MKE-DEN is in any more danger than STL-DEN, BNA-DEN, OMA-DEN, etc. That Southwest is reducing MKE-DEN from 3x to 2x in November suggests that Frontier is holding its own in the market.

In addition to Chicago, Frontier also serves Madison with flights to Denver, Washington, and Orlando. Madison flights to Washington and Orlando are a maybe/maybe not proposition for the longer term, too. So that's another notch of insurance.

Agreed. They will continue to have a decent presence on the MKE-DEN market just like before RJET was anywhere near the picture. I would expect MCO to stay, although I think its more because their build up at MCO and not particularly because its MKE. DCA is a who knows type thing. The slots are under RJET's control, and some of them are limited to where they are being flown. I'd expect them to maybe try DCA-MCO, but I doubt they are rolling in the money with 1x daily E90 service at MKE.

Honestly I'd rather see them try ORD-DCA say 3x daily on the E90, but that might make some of the big boys angry.

Oh, by the way, you have to have UPDATED your address in Frontier's system to an actual Wisconsin address BEFORE June 5th -- the day of the email. A convenient way to screw who-knows-how-many Frontier customers who were caught off-guard with non-updated addresses and can't take advantage of the offer. They literally sent out the announcement June 5 but arbitrarily decided the cut-off for updating addresses was June 4.

I'm in the midst of an email pissing match with a Frontier Loyalty Agent named Marcia because I've been unable to swap the EF miles in my two daughters' accounts to Delta because their addresses had not been updated. I made the update today but the website says too bad.

Here's Marcia's response:


The Delta SkyMiles Mileage Exchange offer is only available to EarlyReturns members who had a valid Wisconsin address in their profile on or before June 4, 2012. The database of EarlyReturns members eligible to participate was sealed on that date.

Address updates to EarlyReturns accounts on or after June 5, 2012 to a Wisconsin address do not meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the Mileage Exchange offer. No exceptions will be made.

We are sorry, updating XXXXX's and XXXXX's addresses on June 5, 2012 will not make them eligible to participate in the Delta SkyMiles Mileage exchange program.

Sincerely,

Marcia
EarlyReturns Loyalty Agent
Frontier Airlines

Nice, hu?

That's over 10,000 miles total we're being screwed out of. I'll be happy to retract or update this post if Marcia comes through for me, but I'm not holding my breath.

Good for WI flyers, but not for northern IL folks.

Update: No love from Marcia. I told her I would be letting all the good folks at FlyerTalk know how Frontier has chosen to screw over much of its customer base. So clever to announce an "offer" the day after secretly imposing a deadline that renders the "offer" useless to many. I'd love to know how many others are in the same boat.

Update: No love from Marcia. I told her I would be letting all the good folks at FlyerTalk know how Frontier has chosen to screw over much of its customer base. So clever to announce an "offer" the day after secretly imposing a deadline that renders the "offer" useless to many. I'd love to know how many others are in the same boat.

It sounds like you are trying to bully F9 into catering to you. It is your fault for not keeping your account details accurate. I'm glad they imposed a hard deadline so that people from Boston or LA can't scam the system. It is unfortunate for you but Marcia is only doing her job.

That's over 10,000 miles total we're being screwed out of. I'll be happy to retract or update this post if Marcia comes through for me, but I'm not holding my breath.

A whole 10000 miles? You could have gotten a magazine subscription!

Good for WI flyers, but not for northern IL folks.

That's a good point. I wonder if they'd consider opening it up to IL as well.

Update: No love from Marcia. I told her I would be letting all the good folks at FlyerTalk know how Frontier has chosen to screw over much of its customer base. So clever to announce an "offer" the day after secretly imposing a deadline that renders the "offer" useless to many. I'd love to know how many others are in the same boat.

You should take it to their Facebook or Twitter customer care teams, offer proof that your daughters moved before the cut-off date, and that you're not just trying to scam the deal, as I'm sure many are trying.

Hi All-

I got this e-mail yesterday and was honestly perplexed what to do. Cons: In my experience, Delta has very few flights out of Milwaukee. Also, I like to spread my miles across a few airlines, as it helps when one airline doesn't have award seats available, but another airline does. You can maximize the chances of getting an award seat. Pros: Delta has a lot more international flights.

Unknowns: I would love input on any.

Will Frontier cut more flights from Milwaukee? If so, Frontier does not fly from Chicago that I am aware, so this will leave me up a creek. Anyone know?

Will Delta really add flights to Milwaukee? Anyone know?

In my experience, Frontier FF miles have been pretty easy to use. Delta miles were easy, but seem to have gotten more complex the last time I tried for a ticket. Have others experienced this?

Thanks for any thoughts!

Erin

Cons: Early return miles are useless. Unless you live in denver or like magazines.

Pros: Delta sky-miles transfer 1:2 to Hilton. I may keep the miles for a while but I know a sinking ship when I see one

Pros: Delta sky-miles transfer 1:2 to Hilton.

You may want to check current (Delta-origin) sources on that. Direct Delta to HHonors transfers ended Feb. 2003. If they had come back, it would be news on the DL forum.

Update: No love from Marcia. I told her I would be letting all the good folks at FlyerTalk know how Frontier has chosen to screw over much of its customer base. So clever to announce an "offer" the day after secretly imposing a deadline that renders the "offer" useless to many. I'd love to know how many others are in the same boat.

Really? You know you can still use the miles on Frontier.
They are still valid. Nobody screwed anyone.

I was wrong

Tried transferring mine, it didn't let me. I use to have a WI address in my profile (I've got two addresses I use) but for whatever reason I switched it to a non-WI one a while ago. Too bad as I normally only used F9/YX in and out of Wisconsin. :(

So who do you think was insistent on Wisconsin addresses, F9 or DL? If both sides are happy with Wisconsin people transferring, I don't understand the logic of not allowing others.

I think if you look at it from Delta's point of view, a lot of the questions are answered.

Delta is taking over a liability of Frontier's, and they are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart. Altough we don't know what sort of financial or asset consideration (if any) Frontier is giving Delta to take over the obligation of millions of frequent flyer miles, it's safe to say this is a specific, focused initiative on Delta's part.

Delta is only doing this because they see a rather unusual opportunity in Milwaukee to make significant inroads in the frequent flyer base.

(a) Frequent travelers primiarly invested in F9 are orphans looking for a home

(b) Frequent travelers primarily invsted in FL are especially vulnerable to poaching because of the uncoventional takeover they face from Southwest. Delta has probably already see benefit in Atlanta and sees opportunity in MKE.

Although other cities have been de-hubbed too (some fairly quickly and some more gradually), in most cases the legacy airline still stuck around with a few dozen flights to hubs and key point-to-point destinations. Think AA in St Louis, for example. But in Milwaukee, Frontier is unable and disinterested in continuing to serve the base, and so lots of flyers are trying to decide who to concentrate their flying with.

Delta isn't particularly interested in encouraging Frontier customers to come their direction by essentially comping them frequent flyer miles. Delta is interested in encouraging Frontier Milwaukee customers to come their direction. The special circumstances and unusual vulnerability are the key making it worth the effort and expense.

The same circumstances don't exist in Kansas City. The FF bases was always a lot smaller, and the repeated ups and downs at MCI the past few years prbably wrung out a lot of the loyal base and left Frontier to fill planes with less-loyal leisure travelers. Delta has already won a lot of traffic in MCI with their increased flight schedule. And there's not the AirTran vulnerability there either.

Why all of Wisconsin and not northern Illinois? It doesn't likely hurt much to do all of Wisconsin because there are likely not many people who'd convert miles beyond Madison and the Fox Valley (ATW/GRB)...markets which leak traffic to MKE in some cases anyway, and Delta doesn't want those people to give up on MSN/ATW/GRB and drive to Milwaukee for Southwest. As for losing northern Illinois, I do think it might have made sense to include Lake and McHenry counties, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. Once you start getting into northern Illinois you get into areas where people's alternative to Frontier's pullbacks is not to fly Southwest in Milwaukee, but to fly O'Hare.

I'm guessing the deal between F9 and DL was defined by Delta and doesn't give Frontier much latitude or flexibility. And it's certainly not an arbitrary date that accounts needed to have a Wisconin address by 6/4. People would come out of the woodwork to find someone with a Wisconsin address to move their FF address to if there were enough miles at stake.

The reason you don't see this sort of offer often (if ever) before is becuase of the specific and unusual circumstance. And that circumstance just doesn't exist in Kansas City, or Illinois, or elsewhere. I'm pretty confident that Delta is calling the shots on this one because they're taking on the liability. And they know who their target is and are limiting it to that alone.

I was looking at the Delta Skymiles credit card offer. 95 bucks a year? I guess I could open that and close my Amex green card account.

I just did it, only had 9k miles--from Midwest flights, and a lot more in Delta.

Got this after:

Your request to transfer miles from your Frontier EarlyReturns account to your Delta SkyMiles account has been received. We will verify your account information and process your request. Please allow up to 8 weeks for your miles to be deposited into your Delta SkyMiles account.

Summit and Ascent members, your request will be verified and you will be notified by Delta via email when your Status Match Challenge is activated. You may also check your Medallion status by logging into your account on Delta.com.

If you have questions about this offer, you may contact Frontier at 1-800-432-1359. If you have any questions about the SkyMiles Program please visit delta.com/SkyMiles or contact Delta at 1-800-221-1212

All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide.

I frankly don't see the huge difference in customers' psyches between some of those in Milwaukee that may now face having to book connecting flights rather than taking a direct flight and those in Kansas City or elsewhere faced with the exact same issue, but if Delta is actually interested in acquiring meaningful future business from former Frontier customers, shouldn't it have taken a page out of AA's playbook and offered a deal to current Frontier Ascent and Summit members not based out of Denver?

Maybe Frontier wouldn't go for that, but it doesn't have to be a mutual decision.

ExitRowAisle
A Dissatisfied 2nd Class Starwood Platinum Member

I think if you look at it from Delta's point of view, a lot of the questions are answered.

Delta is taking over a liability of Frontier's, and they are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart. Altough we don't know what sort of financial or asset consideration (if any) Frontier is giving Delta to take over the obligation of millions of frequent flyer miles, it's safe to say this is a specific, focused initiative on Delta's part.

Delta is only doing this because they see a rather unusual opportunity in Milwaukee to make significant inroads in the frequent flyer base.



Your post presents an excellent analysis, knope.

Your post presents an excellent analysis, knope.

As it always does.

I frankly don't see the huge difference in customers' psyches between some of those in Milwaukee that may now face having to book connecting flights rather than taking a direct flight and those in Kansas City or elsewhere faced with the exact same issue, but if Delta is actually interested in acquiring meaningful future business from former Frontier customers, shouldn't it have taken a page out of AA's playbook and offered a deal to current Frontier Ascent and Summit members not based out of Denver?

Maybe Frontier wouldn't go for that, but it doesn't have to be a mutual decision.

ExitRowAisle
A Dissatisfied 2nd Class Starwood Platinum Member

The thing is they WANT the Milwaukee Frontier customers. Years ago Northwest almost made Milwaukee a hub, in the end they changed their mind. They wanted to buy Midwest, that didn't work out. They started adding some direct flights out of here and then the Delta thing happened, Frontier bought Midwest and Southwest moved in and DL lost a lot of market share. Now with Frontier moving out (almost) UA/Co merger and Southwest/AirTran merger DL is in a great position to pick up unhappy fliers and this is a great way to do it.

Let's please remember, Frontier did not buy Midwest. Republic Holdings bought Midwest. They also bought Frontier during bankruptcy. As an ex-Midwest guy, I prefer to keep the Frontier/Midwest things seperate. In the end, the Frontier name stayed and so did Denver.
I have moved on, but the subject is still a sore one. With almost 20 years at Midwest, the wounds will take time to heal.
Peace.

I received correspondence in today's mail from "EarlyReturns Frontier's Mileage Program." The correspondence appears to be the same as the email message and information posted on the website, including FAQs.

At the very end of the correspondence, the following message appears:

Offer to transfer is limited to members with a valid Wisconsin address in the EarlyReturns database as of June 4, 2012.

The letter is dated June 11, 2012.

I transferred miles from an F9 account. It now shows a zero balance and notes the transfer to DL on 6/12.

The miles have not yet shown up in the DL account.

I transferred miles from an F9 account. It now shows a zero balance and notes the transfer to DL on 6/12.

The miles have not yet shown up in the DL account.

Same here. This is a bit annoying...still waiting on Delta

Today (6/20) I noticed the miles back in my Frontier account for both my wife and I, at least according to my AwardWallet. They did say 6-8 weeks, but after the relatively quick transfer from Frontier, I was hoping for something sooner in Skymiles. Back to waiting

My miles posted to Delta today.

My miles posted to Delta today.

The miles posted today to an associate's SkyMiles account, as well, apparently this afternoon.

Nothing yet here. Did the names on the account have to match? Mrs. Newsman transferred hers to my account. I hope that wasn't a problem.

My miles posted on DL's website today as well.

Miles have posted to both my and my wife's Delta accounts.

Email received today:

Dear XXXXX,
As you know, in recent months Frontier has announced significant reductions to its Milwaukee flight schedule as part of a companywide effort to return to profitability. We realize that the reductions may inconvenience you and make it difficult for you to earn and use the Frontier EarlyReturns miles you already have.

Therefore, as a courtesy, we are offering you the one-time opportunity to convert your Frontier EarlyReturns miles into Delta miles. Delta Air Lines is growing its presence in Milwaukee, and in July, expects to have 31 nonstop flights each weekday from Milwaukee to Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York Kennedy and New York LaGuardia. Delta and Delta Connection® carriers serve more than 340 destinations worldwide – offering you nearly unlimited travel opportunities from Milwaukee.

Mile conversions will be done on an even basis – for example, 1,000 EarlyReturns miles will equal 1,000 Delta miles. To convert your miles from Frontier to Delta, register by 8/31/12. Please allow up to 8 weeks for the miles to appear in your Delta SkyMiles account.


Register to convert miles.
Read FAQs.

Sincerely,

Your EarlyReturns Team

It's almost as if the copy were written by Delta, themselves!

I had 13,000 miles in my Frontier account. When I found out that I could transfer my miles to Delta, I quickly applied for the Frontier CC. I got my balance up to almost 50,000 miles. I took advantage of the Southwest and Delta offers. I already have the 50000 Southwest miles, still wait for the Delta miles.

The best part is I turned 13,000 orphan miles into 100,000 usable miles!:D

(if I can find a use for my Skypesos):rolleyes:

Has anyone had any experience with transferring miles after the June 4th database cutoff? I never posted my MKE address in my EarlyReturns account prior to that date. Just read the FAQ tonight and found that was a pre-req to the transfer.

Emailed customer service and hopefully they will humor me. If not, looks like I'm booking a few points-based tickets to DEN.

Yes, we had an easy transfer. Miles transferred from Frontier EarlyRewards to Delta SkyMiles in just a few days.

Received this message with above-referenced title, from Frontier EarlyReturns:

Dear XXXXX
As you know, Frontier has significantly reduced its Milwaukee flight schedule as part of a companywide effort to return to profitability. We realize that the reductions may make it difficult for you to earn and use the Frontier EarlyReturns miles you already have. Therefore, as a courtesy, we are offering you the one-time opportunity to convert your Frontier EarlyReturns miles into Delta miles. Delta Air Lines is growing its presence in Milwaukee and now offers more than 30 nonstop flights from the city each weekday. And Delta and Delta Connection® carriers serve 340 destinations worldwide – offering you nearly unlimited travel opportunities from Milwaukee.
Mile conversions will be done on an even basis – for example, 1,000 EarlyReturns miles will equal 1,000 Delta miles. To convert your miles from Frontier to Delta, register no later than 8/31/12. Please allow up to 8 weeks for the miles to appear in your Delta SkyMiles account.

Sincerely,
Your EarlyReturns Team

I just got the same email notifying me of my last chance to transfer miles

I submitted my request to transfer my miles over a month ago.
Was this a general email?
Did anyone get this who had already had received their Delta miles from Frontier?

Don't forget to get your gift from Southwest before 8/31/12.

Frontier EarlyReturns is now placing phone calls to those WI members who have not yet taken advantage of the "one-time" offer to move their ER miles over to DL SkyMiles. Personal calls are being placed with a reminder that the deadline is August 31. The calls are not recordings, and the message mentions the member's first name.

"Thank you for being a loyal customer/flyer" is heard at the beginning and end of the message.

Has anyone else received the same type of phone call, lately?

I just got the same email notifying me of my last chance to transfer miles

I submitted my request to transfer my miles over a month ago.
Was this a general email?
Did anyone get this who had already had received their Delta miles from Frontier?

Also submitted mine over a month ago with nothing happening and got that same email. I asked if they could check and see if they showed a record of receiving my request and was told they had no way to do that.

Kind of thinking about submitting it again just in case I made a typo or something.

Also submitted mine over a month ago with nothing happening and got that same email. I asked if they could check and see if they showed a record of receiving my request and was told they had no way to do that.

Kind of thinking about submitting it again just in case I made a typo or something.

I highly suggest resubmitting, if it's been awhile since a request was originally sent, and no activity has been posted to FF accounts. It's obviously better to duplicate, than to have a request fall between the cracks. Since this is a very unusual process, it would be surprising not to have some glitches. Perhaps, that's why the ER department was placing personal phone calls - there must have been some problems.

Final day to accept mileage transfer offer: Friday, August 31.

I highly suggest resubmitting, if it's been awhile since a request was originally sent, and no activity has been posted to FF accounts. It's obviously better to duplicate, than to have a request fall between the cracks. Since this is a very unusual process, it would be surprising not to have some glitches. Perhaps, that's why the ER department was placing personal phone calls - there must have been some problems.

Final day to accept mileage transfer offer: Friday, August 31.

I submitted for my Frontier milage transfer on July 21 on the phone. After many phone calls to see how this was going, to make a long story short, today Oct. 14, 2012 I was told "there is no way to transfer my miles to Delta now". This is odd because my husband's miles were submitted at the same time as mine and were transferred to Delta last month. What is my current recourse? Anybody have an idea?

I submitted for my Frontier milage transfer on July 21 on the phone. After many phone calls to see how this was going, to make a long story short, today Oct. 14, 2012 I was told "there is no way to transfer my miles to Delta now". This is odd because my husband's miles were submitted at the same time as mine and were transferred to Delta last month. What is my current recourse? Anybody have an idea?

Did you make note of the time you called/name of person at Frontier who handled the original request? This information would lend some credibility, though, I don't know the logistics and if it is at all possible to transfer the miles to DL, at this point. I believe that the calls are recorded, but I don't know for how long the recordings are retained.

If you have not already, you might try contacting Customer Relations at
800-432-1359. First say "other options," then "complaints and compliments"; their hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (Mountain Time).

If your husband's miles were submitted at the same time/same phone call, they should have some way of looking it up. If they can no longer submit the transfer to Delta, due to their error, there should be some meaningful compensation for their mess-up.

There were probably quite a few glitches, due to the very unusual nature of the offer. I hope they can ultimately provide some satisfaction to you.

Thanks for your comments. I have a list of calls, times, people I talked to. I plan on writing a letter to Frontier. Interestingly one of my calls to Delta said they would accept the mileage if the request was submitted before the closing date, which it was.

Has anyone else received the DL Status Match Challenge, as a result of transferring their ER miles over to DL and having elite status with F9?

Email received from DL:

You are now enrolled in the SkyMiles Medallion Status Match Challenge.

Dear xx xxxxxxxx,

Thank you for enrolling in the SkyMiles Medallion® Status Match Challenge.

Your elite status match request has been approved, and we would like to welcome you to the SkyMiles Medallion program. Medallion status offers a host of benefits, including priority boarding, Complimentary Medallion Upgrades for paid Tickets, baggage fee waivers, Preferred Seating and more.

Your Silver status is now valid for the next 90 days and will print on your future boarding passes. To keep your Medallion status through xxxxx xx xxxx, you will need to complete the following requirements within the 90-day timeframe:

Fly 8,000 Medallion Qualification Miles OR 10 Medallion Qualification Segments on flights operated by Delta or Delta Connection®.

Thank you again for participating in the Status Match Challenge and for your interest in the Medallion program.

Yup, I got mine on Friday as well. I am glad it waited because I have a fair chance of flying enough segements by the expiration date to maintain DL silver. In the past few mostly Amtrak as we signed a chunk of Chicago clients. Unfortunately the client we've got coming up in Cincinnati just delayed into spring, dang it....

Not that silver means that much, but it's better than nothing.

If we are on the same flight I will send back my bottle of water... :)

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/state-to-investigate-more-mileage-conversion-complaints-from-frontier-fliers-rg8ajb6-186712761.html

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/state-to-investigate-more-mileage-conversion-complaints-from-frontier-fliers-rg8ajb6-186712761.html

Don't count on an airline ever trying to help their former frequent fliers again.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/186875452.html

Frontier was aware of problems, well into the offer. That was why they placed personal phone calls to some customers.

I believe that there was good intent in the offer, but not the best execution. If Frontier was negligent or deficient, it should be their responsibility, both legally and ethically, to make things right for the WI ER members who accepted the offer.

Frontier was aware of problems, well into the offer. That was why they placed personal phone calls to some customers.

I believe that there was good intent in the offer, but not the best execution. If Frontier was negligent or deficient, it should be their responsibility, both legally and ethically, to make things right for the WI ER members who accepted the offer.

Frontier has agreed to review all the complaints:

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/pi/frontier-airlines-will-address-mileage-conversion-complaints-4p8i2i7-188774771.html

"Frontier Airlines will address mileage conversion complaints

Faced with more than 200 consumer complaints, Frontier Airlines is now promising to take a second look at customers' problems transferring their frequent flier miles to Delta."

Hopefully this will resolve the outstanding issues and draw a line under the unhappy history of Frontier at MKE.

To anyone who still has outstanding issues with this:

I did file the complaint online with the WI Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. I got a letter in the mail a week later from an Consumer Protection Investigator who is handling all the Frontier complaints saying she is trying to work with Frontier on this. I figured it would die there.

Today, I got an email from Delta (who i never contacted directly) apologizing for the problem, and deposited the balance of my Frontier miles in my Skymiles account "as a gesture of goodwill". Yup it actually said that.

I shot a txt to a co-worker who has no Delta status, but filed the same paperwork as me. Nothing from Delta as of yet for him. Maybe Delta is just giving the disputed miles to their Medallion members?

Oh, and as of right now, my EarlyReturns account still all my miles...