2015 SkyMiles Program News from Delta
Feb 26, 2014, 5:48 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NYC
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Not bad for everyone
Keeping the mqms may help them retain customers for cheaper flights (which they certainly need to sell) rather than only booking expensive tickets. I have no doubt that they're considering such things, but they may see value in incentivising cost and quantity of travel separately. Otherwise maybe they lose your transcons and then even some of your shorthaul? There may be value to them in keeping you away from competitor's planes and they may see this as a way to do so more cheaply.
Feb 26, 2014, 5:49 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2003
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But on a positive note the miles I have been saving for years might now become easier to use? I assume a mile before 2015 and a mile earned after 2015 is still a redeemable mile. Keeping my fingers crossed that more low award seat availability and one way awards may make my miles more usable!
Feb 26, 2014, 5:49 am
#48
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Well, I should reach million miler quicker
I buy mostly last minute refundable tickets, so Y or B fare
I spent $36,200 last year and received 85,000 mqm and 107,000 miles
I guess the changes wouldn't affect my MQM and I would still be PM, but I would have received at a minimum 250,000 miles
Or I could be reading it very wrong early in the morning and I am all screwed up....now if we wait until 2016 and GM, PM, DM will be tied 100% to spend
I buy mostly last minute refundable tickets, so Y or B fare
I spent $36,200 last year and received 85,000 mqm and 107,000 miles
I guess the changes wouldn't affect my MQM and I would still be PM, but I would have received at a minimum 250,000 miles
Or I could be reading it very wrong early in the morning and I am all screwed up....now if we wait until 2016 and GM, PM, DM will be tied 100% to spend
Feb 26, 2014, 5:53 am
#49
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Oh other thing... the revenue based earning excludes govt taxes and fees, so you only earn like you do for MQDs... which means for intl travel its even less than the total ticket cost.
What do you want to bet that partner airline earning rates will be horrid as well? "Flights marketed and ticketed by Delta’s partner airlines will earn mileage based on a percentage of the distance flown as determined by the fare class paid."
Earning rate for bulk/discounted/consolidator/group tickets is posted. Note none of these earn MQDs as of 2015 (and DL Vacations is in this group as well). http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ial-fares.html
Also note there is a mileage earning cap of 75,000 per ticket. So for those pax that purchase a $10k intl J ticket, no earning 100k+ miles for you.
What do you want to bet that partner airline earning rates will be horrid as well? "Flights marketed and ticketed by Delta’s partner airlines will earn mileage based on a percentage of the distance flown as determined by the fare class paid."
Earning rate for bulk/discounted/consolidator/group tickets is posted. Note none of these earn MQDs as of 2015 (and DL Vacations is in this group as well). http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ial-fares.html
Also note there is a mileage earning cap of 75,000 per ticket. So for those pax that purchase a $10k intl J ticket, no earning 100k+ miles for you.
Feb 26, 2014, 5:54 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: Delta diamond, SPG platinum, Hyatt diamond
Posts: 351
2015 SkyMiles Program News from Delta
Wow. Based in my calcs as a diamond I would see a ~40% decrease in miles earned for last year. I have been a diamond since the first year but since I live in Chicago might be time to try United.
Feb 26, 2014, 5:57 am
#52
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Anyone been playing around with the mileage earning comparison tool on the DL website? Almost every flight I take would be earning less (sometimes substantially less) than currently.
Of course without knowing the new award charts and availability its hard to say how it works out, but its safe to assume this change will be in favor of the 'house'.
Of course without knowing the new award charts and availability its hard to say how it works out, but its safe to assume this change will be in favor of the 'house'.
Feb 26, 2014, 5:57 am
#53
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Feb 26, 2014, 5:58 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Feb 26, 2014, 5:59 am
#55
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Also I get miles are a liability for them, but what are they doing to address the stack of miles given at random with very little justification.
A few weeks ago when Atlanta was impacted by the snow, I had a flight cancel out. It was weather related and there's nothing Delta could have done, however, a few days later I received an unsolicited email letting me know they would be depositing 25,000 miles to my account. I certainly wasn't going to turn them down but this sure seems like a fast way to devalue miles.
A few weeks ago when Atlanta was impacted by the snow, I had a flight cancel out. It was weather related and there's nothing Delta could have done, however, a few days later I received an unsolicited email letting me know they would be depositing 25,000 miles to my account. I certainly wasn't going to turn them down but this sure seems like a fast way to devalue miles.
Feb 26, 2014, 5:59 am
#56
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I'll offer odds that the lowest level is higher than it is now at least for some regions. Or maybe it will even be FBATR--there's no reason they can't introduce that now. They say the new charts will be ready in Q4--anyone want to bet they're waiting for people to requalify so they can then dump FBATR on us? LMAO
Feb 26, 2014, 6:03 am
#57
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It's even worse if you're a DM with a DL AmEx card. This is a surprising rule, given the goals of the overall changes. ($5967 = 75,000 miles/13)
Feb 26, 2014, 6:03 am
#58
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NYC
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I'll offer odds that the lowest level is higher than it is now at least for some regions. Or maybe it will even be FBATR--there's no reason they can't introduce that now. They say the new charts will be ready in Q4--anyone want to bet they're waiting for people to requalify so they can then dump FBATR on us? LMAO
Once they do this there's no reason to stay loyal at all...
Feb 26, 2014, 6:03 am
#59
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RDM earning bonuses for medallions compared to general members have dropped precipitously for everyone except DM.
One thing that strikes me is how complex the program has become. For FTers who pay close attention that's not a problem but for most people, including business travelers who may be valuable customers but just don't have the time or desire to keep up with it, I don't see how they will ever figure it out. There are going to be a lot of frustrated first-time posters or social media rants in the near future.
Can't wait for the Kool-Aid drinkers to show up in this thread. Actually shouldn't they be drinkers of cosmos made of Gordon's and Kook-Aid?
RIP Skymiles, 1981-2014
One thing that strikes me is how complex the program has become. For FTers who pay close attention that's not a problem but for most people, including business travelers who may be valuable customers but just don't have the time or desire to keep up with it, I don't see how they will ever figure it out. There are going to be a lot of frustrated first-time posters or social media rants in the near future.
Can't wait for the Kool-Aid drinkers to show up in this thread. Actually shouldn't they be drinkers of cosmos made of Gordon's and Kook-Aid?
RIP Skymiles, 1981-2014
Feb 26, 2014, 6:05 am
#60
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