$$$ based SM a total Croc.
Nov 20, 2012, 7:08 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
Come on Dean, do you really think Delta would announce the in time for us tons with carriers for our 1st quarter business? While all other airlines give some sort of courtesy to their FF, Delta has shown us time and again that they don't. They don't announce their plans ahead of time and normally not until they are already in place. If this happens, which I do elect it will, I predict we would not know until March.
I also believe several of the changes have been deigned to reflect this coming change.
I also believe several of the changes have been deigned to reflect this coming change.
Nov 20, 2012, 7:27 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,285
I'm pretty calm and not really concerned re dilution of SMiles.
The point I was making is that fake and bogus posts caused many people like you to burn miles. Like lemmings everyone jump on in a frenzy not often seen before.
The big 4 might bight the bullet next year but what ever happens we won't know the real facts from seeing it here before they announce it. FT is great at relaying people's experiences, predicting the future, not so good.
The point I was making is that fake and bogus posts caused many people like you to burn miles. Like lemmings everyone jump on in a frenzy not often seen before.
The big 4 might bight the bullet next year but what ever happens we won't know the real facts from seeing it here before they announce it. FT is great at relaying people's experiences, predicting the future, not so good.
After all... miles aren't worth anything until you actually redeem them for a ticket.
Nov 20, 2012, 8:20 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
Come on Dean, do you really think Delta would announce the in time for us tons with carriers for our 1st quarter business? While all other airlines give some sort of courtesy to their FF, Delta has shown us time and again that they don't. They don't announce their plans ahead of time and normally not until they are already in place. If this happens, which I do elect it will, I predict we would not know until March.
David
Nov 20, 2012, 8:29 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
So certain are you, OP? We'll see...
To me the real variable is what the new program will look like. I don't fault anyone who spent all their miles and bailed on Skymiles, but to me it was too speculative.
And yeah, IBTL, or at least this should be merged into the rumor thread.
To me the real variable is what the new program will look like. I don't fault anyone who spent all their miles and bailed on Skymiles, but to me it was too speculative.
And yeah, IBTL, or at least this should be merged into the rumor thread.
Nov 20, 2012, 11:14 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ATL/LAX
Programs: Delta Diamond 2MM, AA EXP
Posts: 705
Come on Dean, do you really think Delta would announce the in time for us tons with carriers for our 1st quarter business? While all other airlines give some sort of courtesy to their FF, Delta has shown us time and again that they don't. They don't announce their plans ahead of time and normally not until they are already in place. If this happens, which I do elect it will, I predict we would not know until March.
I also believe several of the changes have been deigned to reflect this coming change.
I also believe several of the changes have been deigned to reflect this coming change.
Nov 20, 2012, 11:17 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ATL/LAX
Programs: Delta Diamond 2MM, AA EXP
Posts: 705
Fake and bogus posts or not, it has never been smart to carry enormous balances of miles in any frequent flyer program. The universal trend over the last decade or two has been one of devaluation. It's only a matter of how fast. I feel much better with a smaller balance in programs and a larger balance within CC programs... I can still convert them to miles as needed, but am more insulated from devaluations.
After all... miles aren't worth anything until you actually redeem them for a ticket.
After all... miles aren't worth anything until you actually redeem them for a ticket.
Nov 20, 2012, 12:34 pm
#22
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: OMA
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott. Hilton Diamond, Hertz something...
Posts: 1,265
Get rid of them as soon as is practical.... miles have saved me $10s of thousands over the past 6 years. Have put me and my family in BE many times when I never would have paid cold hard cash for the "privilege"
Will never understand anyone calling them worthless or skypesos.
Nov 20, 2012, 6:00 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
DL is neither stupid nor honest. Does anyone really expect them to announce changes early enough for people to make a choice early in the program year when it's easier to concentrate on another carrier and earn elite status there.
Point 2. DL and every carrier needs all kinds of pax. ...kettles, high value flyers, high mileage fliers, etc. IMHO they don't have a competitive program for either high value or high mileage flyers. So they're struggling to come up with something. The fundamental problems though is that you can't trade benefits for loyalty when you've already sold all the benefits to AMEX.
Point 2. DL and every carrier needs all kinds of pax. ...kettles, high value flyers, high mileage fliers, etc. IMHO they don't have a competitive program for either high value or high mileage flyers. So they're struggling to come up with something. The fundamental problems though is that you can't trade benefits for loyalty when you've already sold all the benefits to AMEX.
Nov 20, 2012, 6:02 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
^I keep my balance a little lower, about 150K unless I have something specific like a family trip in mind.
Get rid of them as soon as is practical.... miles have saved me $10s of thousands over the past 6 years. Have put me and my family in BE many times when I never would have paid cold hard cash for the "privilege"
Will never understand anyone calling them worthless or skypesos.
Get rid of them as soon as is practical.... miles have saved me $10s of thousands over the past 6 years. Have put me and my family in BE many times when I never would have paid cold hard cash for the "privilege"
Will never understand anyone calling them worthless or skypesos.
Nov 20, 2012, 6:50 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
Party on if you wish. I'm in more of a "calm before the storm" mindset.
[pure speculation]
My prediction is that we will see at least two if not three of the US legacy carriers switch over to a revenue-based system next year. My bet is that DL will switch. The other will be UA or US, and I'm leaning towards UA. My guess is that AA will not, being preoccupied with other matters.
If such a program comes to fruition, those carrying large balances will be badly burned no matter what the plan is for existing miles. You can be all but assured a conversion rate won't be favorable. And grandfathered miles haven't exactly had a stellar history.
[/pure speculation]
I've burned nearly three quarters of a million miles this year - and have done so at exclusively Low levels (with no small amount of work). My balance hit 4 digits this month.
At this point I view carrying large balances with airlines as the high risk option, and view it as much safer to bank points with programs that allow you to convert into miles if you wish - such as AmEx MR instead of DL. If DL makes no changes, then you're golden - just transfer the miles when you need them and party on like before. If DL hits the big red button to destroy the world, then at least you've got other places to go.
[pure speculation]
My prediction is that we will see at least two if not three of the US legacy carriers switch over to a revenue-based system next year. My bet is that DL will switch. The other will be UA or US, and I'm leaning towards UA. My guess is that AA will not, being preoccupied with other matters.
If such a program comes to fruition, those carrying large balances will be badly burned no matter what the plan is for existing miles. You can be all but assured a conversion rate won't be favorable. And grandfathered miles haven't exactly had a stellar history.
[/pure speculation]
I've burned nearly three quarters of a million miles this year - and have done so at exclusively Low levels (with no small amount of work). My balance hit 4 digits this month.
At this point I view carrying large balances with airlines as the high risk option, and view it as much safer to bank points with programs that allow you to convert into miles if you wish - such as AmEx MR instead of DL. If DL makes no changes, then you're golden - just transfer the miles when you need them and party on like before. If DL hits the big red button to destroy the world, then at least you've got other places to go.
Nov 20, 2012, 6:58 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 732
Well, what's one person's grammer school is another's grammar.
Nov 20, 2012, 11:32 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Programs: DL GE
Posts: 1,654
I have it on no authority from an imaginary reliable source that the discussion here did or did not change the direction of SmileMiles.
The rumors posted here may or may not have been a good and or bad thing after all! Only someone other then any of us will ever know!
Keep up the good work people, or don't!
The rumors posted here may or may not have been a good and or bad thing after all! Only someone other then any of us will ever know!
Keep up the good work people, or don't!