mikepa

rylan

I forget the exact details of who posted what, but I do remember discussion about the codename Polaris release and EoS, along with the phases and 2012 timeline... which they're running about 12-18 months behind.

timmy83

Not likely. This would be majorly disincentivizing, as so many corporate travelers have to book through TA. They would effectively kill any chance of success with that strategy.

mikepa

I wonder if MM still get FO without the spend?

Dieuwer

Corporate contracts could be made exempt.

javabytes

O hai!

DLdweeb

Can DL possibly be more inept when it comes to 1) clear, honest communication of policy with customers, and 2) distribution of said policy?

And another thing....why does DL hate MRs? Often they happen on Saturdays when loads are lighter and DL chooses to offer attractive fares. Why are those folks punished by filling otherwise empty seats at prices DL has established?

KissFlyGoodbye

Not that hard to change your address or grab a po box in Canada to forward your once a year skymiles cards and credit card spam to your home address.

pbarnette

It still doesn't align with this. What LedgeT posted was that there was a switch to revenue-based earning and burning. Release 0 was communication, Release 0.5 was basically the launch of the earning schedule, Release 1 was revenue-based earning, and Release 2 was on hold.

There was no mention of what look to be a minor re-jiggering of MQMs earned for a handful of fare classes or the addition of a minimum spend threshold. There was no incremental, phased approach mentioned in LedgeT's info and certainly nothing like what we see here. LedgeT may still ultimately be proven correct on the construction of a possible future program but what has been posted here in no way aligns with it.

timmy83

Again, this all follows their clear policy of being disingenuous with their customers. Dropping immediately effective changes from the sky, announcing an exciting new corporate social media team who is both silent and effectively useless at disseminating information or helping with questions, and sharing with us through website leaks appear to be a part of their policy. I wish it wasn't like this, but it appears to be their means of interaction with paying customers. That said, I don't know if any of the other legacy carriers are better from this perspective (although I am ignorant towards their social presence)

RealHJ

My point here was that Polaris Chicago is here (quite late, but is now here at last), that's all. And Polaris Chicago is not faring well. And obviously the current award search is just a temporary band-aid solution, thrown in that doesn't look or function consistently with the rest of it. It was said that FBATR would be aligned with Polaris Chicago release timing. That did not take place (but Polaris is here). Obviously DL chose to release the early alpha version of Polaris Chicago out live first, without FBATR, given that it still has countless bugs and issues (and core design flaws) to work out with it.

That was my only point, that Polaris Chicago is here. So if that part of the seemingly leaked memo is true, well, the rest of it is also likely true (at least, back from that time, though the priorities and timelines have likely changed considerably since then). If Polaris Chicago came, as was said there, well, the rest also will likely come, but just like Polaris, likely quite a bit late, and not quite as originally envisoned by DL.

Dieuwer

?

http://polarischicago.com/

blug

In the CEO letter on Dec's Sky Magazine, Richard Anderson kept emphasizing how important it is to have direct and honest communication with customers. It was a joke, really. Direct and honest communication means telling customers not only how great you are, but also what your problems are and how you are going to fix it. This never ever happens with DL.

DL's philosophy is to treat customers as morons. They make it appear to some people that Skymiles is such a great program; DL's credit cards are such great value; DL's 3-tier award is so great, etcetc.

And it does work in many cases. I have a friend living in NYC with no DL status who keeps using the DL Gold Amex without a clue how to wisely use DL miles.

jetta2.0t

No one held a gun to your head and told you to buy tickets on Delta for Spring or Summer in advance. Take some personal responsibility already!! Delta can and does divulge changes at will, this isn't some secret in the airline industry..........or any industry!

jrkmsp

So, based strictly on what others have said, I'm not freaking out about this. I'm a new FO, discovering just how prevalent some medallion status is. In my mind, these changes are tailormade to make people in my position feel a little less worthless. Basically, I travel frequently for business (but am no road warrior), once-a-monthish, and regularly for personal reasons, 4 or 5 times per year. Being a hub captive, my fares are high and most of my travel is on Delta. I did the math and with travel already booked in 2013, I'll have ~18K MQMs and have spent ~$2600. Within that total is a trans-atlantic flight, which changes the equation a bit, I realize. When it's all said and done this year, I'm expecting to be bumping up again 50K MQM for the first time (I only moved to Minneapolis and Delta in late 2011) and it seems like I'll be pretty close to $5K in spend as well. Probably a little bit over, in fact.

What would make me sad/apprehensive is revenue-based accrual. I've managed a Europe award ticket and two domestic tickets with my accrual to date. I'd hate to see that upset. Then again, maybe it would work in my favor..That, remains to be seen.

Incidentally, I saw a powerpoint recently where Delta spells out its HVC (high-value customer). Adults, 25-54, HHI of $100K+, Member of at least one FF program, Travel frequently, primarily for business.

Additionally, they are "Always connected to technology, and need connectivity to be successful," "Proud of their status and want to be separated from the pack."

Lastly, it described in great specificity who it wants as its future HVC: people starting families later, people who thrive on an amazing social experience and social validation (rather than expensive status items), people who love storytelling experiences, people who will pay more for comfort and services, but also look for a VIP deal. Especially, they're looking to people who are digital and ecommerce natives.

Not all of that applies, but it starts to, I think, address that shift. So, people who purchase economy comfort, that spend is suddenly recognized by the medallion program through MQDs. Same with their Trip Extras. That, to me, says "people who will pay more for comfort and services, but also look for a VIP deal."

Anyway, I've prattled on too long about something that's not even official. But I thought I'd offer some first-hand experience about what this new earning scheme would mean for me, as well as how it fits in with where Delta's going with its future.