Delta million miler
Apr 30, 2012, 11:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Diamond; Delta Platinum; Priority Club Platinum.
Posts: 44
Delta million miler
First of all, before all the negative comments --- i'm not bitter about Delta's MM status and haven't been jilted... I'm only just approaching 500k.
But, why is Delta's MM program sooo much weaker than United's?
1MM on United gets you lifetime GOLD + status for a companion.
2MM gets you lifetime platinum, 3MM = lifetime 1K, and 4MM = "global status" (whatever that means).
Delta is WEAK in this department.
But, why is Delta's MM program sooo much weaker than United's?
1MM on United gets you lifetime GOLD + status for a companion.
2MM gets you lifetime platinum, 3MM = lifetime 1K, and 4MM = "global status" (whatever that means).
Delta is WEAK in this department.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:10 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
First of all, before all the negative comments --- i'm not bitter about Delta's MM status and haven't been jilted... I'm only just approaching 500k.
But, why is Delta's MM program sooo much weaker than United's?
1MM on United gets you lifetime GOLD + status for a companion.
2MM gets you lifetime platinum, 3MM = lifetime 1K, and 4MM = "global status" (whatever that means).
Delta is WEAK in this department.
But, why is Delta's MM program sooo much weaker than United's?
1MM on United gets you lifetime GOLD + status for a companion.
2MM gets you lifetime platinum, 3MM = lifetime 1K, and 4MM = "global status" (whatever that means).
Delta is WEAK in this department.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:10 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
First of all, before all the negative comments --- i'm not bitter about Delta's MM status and haven't been jilted... I'm only just approaching 500k.
But, why is Delta's MM program sooo much weaker than United's?
1MM on United gets you lifetime GOLD + status for a companion.
2MM gets you lifetime platinum, 3MM = lifetime 1K, and 4MM = "global status" (whatever that means).
Delta is WEAK in this department.
But, why is Delta's MM program sooo much weaker than United's?
1MM on United gets you lifetime GOLD + status for a companion.
2MM gets you lifetime platinum, 3MM = lifetime 1K, and 4MM = "global status" (whatever that means).
Delta is WEAK in this department.
Easy come, easy to dismiss.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:26 am
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
Delta knows that no one is going to choose their preferred airline based on the strength of the Million Miler program and most likely no one, after accumulating a few million, is going to leave so why do they have to be competitive in it?
Apr 30, 2012, 11:31 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
Staying the course for lifetime Gold was very valuable to me pre Diamond and water down of the tiers....
Apr 30, 2012, 11:34 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SEA, NYC
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 645
OP, this is really a no-brainer. You don't see elites flocking to UA right now, so the easy answer is that DL doesn't have to be competitive. Also, MM's are much easier to come by on DL. And finally, DL caters to DM's and other HVC's currently bringing in money, rather than MM's that brought money in the past. I mean, what other airline will pick you up in a Porsche to help you make that connection?
Apr 30, 2012, 11:35 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
I think you'd be surprised how perceptive the younger generations are with regard to long-term benefits, especially when they plan to be loyal to an airline for many years.
I see much more apathy amongst the 50-somethings than the 20-somethings when it comes to FF programs.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:40 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: AA PLT 2.7 MM, DL GLD, UA Prem, BW Diamond, PC PLT, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,285
The answer is simple. For many years all miles flown or not counted toward DL MM status. When the change was made there were many MMrs who got there through credit card, hotel, dining bonuses etc. UA on the other hand has always been MM via BIS only.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:46 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
..and make no mistake, the pot at the end of a rainbow is a very core part of customer rentention...
Apr 30, 2012, 11:46 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
I always missed this benefit since coming to DL.
It would be nice to know how many ACTUAL miles I've flown (no segment minimums or other BS miles included). Even if you earn non-BIS miles, you have to admit that this is a fair way to count MM miles.
It would be nice to know how many ACTUAL miles I've flown (no segment minimums or other BS miles included). Even if you earn non-BIS miles, you have to admit that this is a fair way to count MM miles.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:53 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Maybe Delta has figured out that 1 million miles on United brings more misery than two million on Delta. 
The OP is welcome to go the the United forum and search for the terms:
'employee class', yielding 481 hits
'prison matron', yielding 149 hits
That's just getting started.
The OP is welcome to go the the United forum and search for the terms:
'employee class', yielding 481 hits
'prison matron', yielding 149 hits
That's just getting started.
Apr 30, 2012, 11:54 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: IND
Programs: Delta Diamond / United 1K / HHonors Diamond
Posts: 104
I actually just 'flocked' to United from Delta, rising M fare classes to Sydney primarily to blame. Went from $2200 to $5000+ in about 2 years, United ranges $2500-3500. Not to mention much better award redemption. Took me hook line and sinker on a status match in February.
Apr 30, 2012, 2:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Sil, MR Gold
Posts: 4,550
I actually just 'flocked' to United from Delta, rising M fare classes to Sydney primarily to blame. Went from $2200 to $5000+ in about 2 years, United ranges $2500-3500. Not to mention much better award redemption. Took me hook line and sinker on a status match in February.