Why Skymiles 2015 looks good to me
Apr 24, 2014, 10:43 am
#121
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM, MM
Posts: 2,970
The time value loss(at my rate) associated with connecting is more than my total Delta ticket cost. Nevertheless, I still sacrifice my sleep and occasionally take a connecting flight if it's a good deal($300-400 less than Delta), but not always. That's part of the reason for my low MQMs.
Apr 24, 2014, 10:55 am
#122
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
Really?
Just off the top of my head, because I recently flew it, I did a search for ATL-MEM - out 5/12, back 5/15. The return is actually four full weeks from today.
DL has the only nonstop for $553. A 1-stop on DL is $452, and the only thing lower is FL at $422. Not exactly a gigantic difference, and you're spending over 7 hours travelling each way for that cheaper FL fare (shorter connections, still over 4 hours total transit time, are $446).
With the 500 mile minimum, the DL nonstop is a bit over $0.50 cpm. Doesn't take many of those to get your average CPM up to where OP's stats are.
If your employer doesn't think it's worth an extra $110 to save you 6 hours of travel time (or $130 to save 12 extra hours), they probably shouldn't be asking you to travel in the first place.
Just off the top of my head, because I recently flew it, I did a search for ATL-MEM - out 5/12, back 5/15. The return is actually four full weeks from today.
DL has the only nonstop for $553. A 1-stop on DL is $452, and the only thing lower is FL at $422. Not exactly a gigantic difference, and you're spending over 7 hours travelling each way for that cheaper FL fare (shorter connections, still over 4 hours total transit time, are $446).
With the 500 mile minimum, the DL nonstop is a bit over $0.50 cpm. Doesn't take many of those to get your average CPM up to where OP's stats are.
If your employer doesn't think it's worth an extra $110 to save you 6 hours of travel time (or $130 to save 12 extra hours), they probably shouldn't be asking you to travel in the first place.
I use Concur and it will green light any fare within about $150 if it's a connection. If it's direct, I can book any flight over a connection if the connection saves less than $200 or adds more than 2 hours.
Apr 24, 2014, 11:44 am
#123
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,172
Apr 24, 2014, 11:51 am
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Those are really cheap fares. Try pricing MSP-OKC or even RST-OKC. And my spend is almost half of the OPs. I'm paying way higher fares that $553 lately.
I use Concur and it will green light any fare within about $150 if it's a connection. If it's direct, I can book any flight over a connection if the connection saves less than $200 or adds more than 2 hours.
I use Concur and it will green light any fare within about $150 if it's a connection. If it's direct, I can book any flight over a connection if the connection saves less than $200 or adds more than 2 hours.
So...are you saying that you aren't shopping around enough and your employer should audit your plane tickets, too?
If OP consistently booked the ATL-MEM-ATL route I just found for the 18.5 RTs represented by their 37 MQS this year, they'd be just about spot on to those MQDs ($10230 minus taxes/fees). But apparently those are "really cheap fares"...
Last edited by gooselee; Apr 24, 2014 at 11:57 am
Apr 24, 2014, 12:13 pm
#125
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM, MM
Posts: 2,970
So...are you saying that you aren't shopping around enough and your employer should audit your plane tickets, too?
If OP consistently booked the ATL-MEM-ATL route I just found for the 18.5 RTs represented by their 37 MQS this year, they'd be just about spot on to those MQDs ($10230 minus taxes/fees). But apparently those are "really cheap fares"...
Apr 24, 2014, 12:17 pm
#126
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
So...are you saying that you aren't shopping around enough and your employer should audit your plane tickets, too?
If OP consistently booked the ATL-MEM-ATL route I just found for the 18.5 RTs represented by their 37 MQS this year, they'd be just about spot on to those MQDs ($10230 minus taxes/fees). But apparently those are "really cheap fares"...
Apr 24, 2014, 1:32 pm
#127
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
As I stated in an earlier post I wish Delta would do away with rollover miles and give more SWU's. Status is WAY too easy to obtain on Delta compared to other carriers. People continually say on FT WFBF. If someone wants status, same thing, fly the required BIS miles required each year.
The Global Upgrades are a great benefit and help make a big distinction between PM and DM, something Delta lacked in the past. But with the old certificates, you were required to buy an M or B fare, which aren't cheap and couldn't even confirmed 90% of the time. Delta is making a big improvement (for now) with the global certs.
I like that Delta gives out a free skyclub membership to diamonds (and it will be even more valuable next week since people will have to pay to bring in guests and it will be less crowded), but as I stated before I would be willing to pay for a skyclub membership if it meant a better lounge experience like an AA flagship lounge.
Also the virgin partnership is great. I don't think anyone on here is going to complain about having access to the Virgin skyclub at LHR at T3.
Coterminal benefit is also great for Diamonds. I am flying to DC tomorrow, last minute trip and coach to Reagan where I want to fly is more than a FCM ticket to Baltimore. I simply booked a cheap first class ticket to Baltimore and called the diamond benefit and used the coterminal benefit and SDC'd into a first class seat to Reagan and saved a lot of money. That could be a benefit on United and an EP American benefit as well not sure.
The Global Upgrades are a great benefit and help make a big distinction between PM and DM, something Delta lacked in the past. But with the old certificates, you were required to buy an M or B fare, which aren't cheap and couldn't even confirmed 90% of the time. Delta is making a big improvement (for now) with the global certs.
I like that Delta gives out a free skyclub membership to diamonds (and it will be even more valuable next week since people will have to pay to bring in guests and it will be less crowded), but as I stated before I would be willing to pay for a skyclub membership if it meant a better lounge experience like an AA flagship lounge.
Also the virgin partnership is great. I don't think anyone on here is going to complain about having access to the Virgin skyclub at LHR at T3.
Coterminal benefit is also great for Diamonds. I am flying to DC tomorrow, last minute trip and coach to Reagan where I want to fly is more than a FCM ticket to Baltimore. I simply booked a cheap first class ticket to Baltimore and called the diamond benefit and used the coterminal benefit and SDC'd into a first class seat to Reagan and saved a lot of money. That could be a benefit on United and an EP American benefit as well not sure.
Blows my mind!
Apr 24, 2014, 1:46 pm
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Though I can't exactly blame him for using that loophole as DL opened the door for it. And in theory, coterminal changes aren't allowed (it's an unpublished DM benefit), so, again in theory, this shouldn't have been possible.
I suppose DL could leave the premium cabin SDC flexibility there and clamp down on coterminal changes, but all that would change is a couple words in the title of the upcoming complaint/devaluation/I'm-leaving-for-AA thread.
Apr 24, 2014, 3:07 pm
#129
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
So...are you saying that you aren't shopping around enough and your employer should audit your plane tickets, too?
If OP consistently booked the ATL-MEM-ATL route I just found for the 18.5 RTs represented by their 37 MQS this year, they'd be just about spot on to those MQDs ($10230 minus taxes/fees). But apparently those are "really cheap fares"...
He has more than 18,500 MQMs so I guess he didn't book them all to MEM. But, If I were to book OKC, RAP, OMA, etc. all the time, I would be way up there too for MQDs. I fly to a lot of cheap cities too like PHX and LAS and if I have to go to the Bay Area, I usually fly to OAK via LAX. It's usually much cheaper than SFO.
Apr 24, 2014, 4:31 pm
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
So...are you saying that you aren't shopping around enough and your employer should audit your plane tickets, too?
If OP consistently booked the ATL-MEM-ATL route I just found for the 18.5 RTs represented by their 37 MQS this year, they'd be just about spot on to those MQDs ($10230 minus taxes/fees). But apparently those are "really cheap fares"...
He has more than 18,500 MQMs so I guess he didn't book them all to MEM. But, If I were to book OKC, RAP, OMA, etc. all the time, I would be way up there too for MQDs. I fly to a lot of cheap cities too like PHX and LAS and if I have to go to the Bay Area, I usually fly to OAK via LAX. It's usually much cheaper than SFO.
Maybe OP has rollover. Maybe he hasn't taken a long MR/VR that you do every so often. OP may have only 18.5k MQM this year and just some rollover. Neither you or I know. We also don't know if OP also uses Concur and every one of his trips has been green lighted.
What I do know it that it's a bit silly to first accuse OP of spending to much, and then when offered an example of how OPs travel pattern could very well be the cheapest logical fares each and every time, follow up by saying that those are "really cheap fares" and you often book more expensive ones.
At this point, I'm a bit unsure what you're even arguing.
Apr 24, 2014, 4:48 pm
#131
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
As I once administered Concur for my company, I'm quite familiar with how it functions on both the front end and back end.
Maybe OP has rollover. Maybe he hasn't taken a long MR/VR that you do every so often. OP may have only 18.5k MQM this year and just some rollover. Neither you or I know. We also don't know if OP also uses Concur and every one of his trips has been green lighted.
What I do know it that it's a bit silly to first accuse OP of spending to much, and then when offered an example of how OPs travel pattern could very well be the cheapest logical fares each and every time, follow up by saying that those are "really cheap fares" and you often book more expensive ones.
At this point, I'm a bit unsure what you're even arguing.
Maybe OP has rollover. Maybe he hasn't taken a long MR/VR that you do every so often. OP may have only 18.5k MQM this year and just some rollover. Neither you or I know. We also don't know if OP also uses Concur and every one of his trips has been green lighted.
What I do know it that it's a bit silly to first accuse OP of spending to much, and then when offered an example of how OPs travel pattern could very well be the cheapest logical fares each and every time, follow up by saying that those are "really cheap fares" and you often book more expensive ones.
At this point, I'm a bit unsure what you're even arguing.
Apr 24, 2014, 5:52 pm
#133
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: 16,273
SkyMiles 2015 looks good to me. Makes it easier for me to start flying AA more, like I will be tomorrow. Fortunately my Kryptonium status is valid everywhere. They know who I am and will even let me ride in the jumpseat.
Last edited by javabytes; Apr 24, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Apr 24, 2014, 5:59 pm
#134
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
United's business class isn't that bad and you can use the global upgrades on Lufthansa which has a better business product IMO than Delta.
I like the direct aisle access on Delta, but if I'm flying with my wife it isn't a big deal having her for a seat mate. I have to fly Delta 125K miles to earn four certificates and only have to fly United 100K for six. United gives an additional 2 for every 50K flown past 100K. I will probably have over 150K MQMs on Delta this year so that would mean my wife and I could take 2 round trips on a cheap fare internationally with United as opposed to one on Delta.
I was able to make FCM work great for me this morning. I had to book a last minute trip to DC for tomorrow. I prefer Reagan over Baltimore. Baltimore FCM last minute was cheaper than Economy to DCA since DCA . I noticed first class is open both ways so booked BWI in first, called the diamond desk and SDC'd into the DCA flight into first^^^^ Flying into Reagan airport on a confirmed first class seat for less than what a coach ticket cost on the same route. I would have never been able to have done that if it wasn't for the recent change to the SDC policy for FCM fares.
I like the direct aisle access on Delta, but if I'm flying with my wife it isn't a big deal having her for a seat mate. I have to fly Delta 125K miles to earn four certificates and only have to fly United 100K for six. United gives an additional 2 for every 50K flown past 100K. I will probably have over 150K MQMs on Delta this year so that would mean my wife and I could take 2 round trips on a cheap fare internationally with United as opposed to one on Delta.
I was able to make FCM work great for me this morning. I had to book a last minute trip to DC for tomorrow. I prefer Reagan over Baltimore. Baltimore FCM last minute was cheaper than Economy to DCA since DCA . I noticed first class is open both ways so booked BWI in first, called the diamond desk and SDC'd into the DCA flight into first^^^^ Flying into Reagan airport on a confirmed first class seat for less than what a coach ticket cost on the same route. I would have never been able to have done that if it wasn't for the recent change to the SDC policy for FCM fares.
Last edited by bubbashow; Apr 24, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Apr 24, 2014, 6:15 pm
#135
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington,DC
Posts: 1,822
Doesn't make me mad...I just shake my head. Why would someone post a loophole (which is acceptable to Delta) - so it can be closed?
I used to know a way to get NWA WBC tickets at low level to Europe on every TATL flight I needed. I didn't share it with anyone and it lasted for years.
I used to know a way to get NWA WBC tickets at low level to Europe on every TATL flight I needed. I didn't share it with anyone and it lasted for years.