suvayanr

What's worse? I predicted a 20k shortfall this year so flew RDU-JFK-SFO-JFK-CDG-GOT-CDG-AMS-ATL-DTW-SFO-JFK-RDU in one weekend. Then I ended up having to fly a lot more for other trips and so it was just one crazy weekend!

andrewk829

It seems to me that moving up from Silver to Gold creates worthwhile incremental benefits, as does moving up from Platinum to Diamond. But the incremental benefits of Platinum versus Gold just are not too compelling.

In fact, in anticipation of a light travel year in 2015, I am debating whether to try to land just shy of 75,000 miles in order to preserve rollover miles . . . I'd rather be (a) Gold in 2015 and Gold in 2016 than (b) Platinum in 2015 and Silver (or maybe even "peon") in 2016.

And that brings up an interesting issue . . . in my opinion, Delta should offer folks the option of sacrificing membership in the next higher elite tier if they would rather rollover the miles. Especially if there are others like me who would actually forego flying on Delta specifically to preserve rollover miles.

3Cforme

One who does a lot of international long-haul travel will find free EC compelling (especially if traveling with family in the same reservation). Free award changes and redeposits can be very useful, too.

MSPeconomist

Plus PM phone calls tend to go to Chisholm.

CKDGM

I'm making the push to PM this year for a few reasons:

1. Partner benefits.

SPG Crossover Rewards start giving the good stuff at PM (Elite check-in, late checkout, etc), and I stay in Starwood hotels often enough to get good use out of this. VS lounge access has been opened up to GMs at the US end of the trip, but LHR is still PM/DM only if you're not in Upper Class.

2. International EC.

I'm planning to make more international trips next year, and won't always want to (or be able to) be on a partner with Premium Economy and buy up to it. EC isn't as good but it'll make those long hauls a little less painful.

3. Award redeposit/reissue fee waiver.

I may or may not book reward trips next year (either for myself or for others), but if I do I really like having the flexibility this gives.

4. Choice benefits.

I miss the old SWUs, but I can always find a use for a $200 voucher.

5. Higher upgrade priority.

My upgrade experience this year as a GM has been either "clear at the window" (a few really easy flights) or "You're #12 on the list for the 2 remaining seats" (the rest of the time). I figure this way I'll get to be #6 on the list for the 2 remaining seats instead.

jrl767

I'll respectfully disagree ... looking at my travel plans for 2015 and early 2016, the ability to change award tickets w/o penalty will be huge

some of this travel may be international, so free EC will be significant

and at least half my domestic travel is likely to be JFK <--> SEA, so the possibility of those TCON UGs is always nice

this is indeed an interesting thought, but I have to say it's really impractical in terms of running/administering the program ... I think it would have to be an irrevocable opt-in decision with a firm deadline (if you don't choose this option by xx date, the standard rules apply), and I can hear the squawks of dozens of people who would want DL to let them change their mind as their travel plans changed (especially late in the year)

javabytes

I've seldom been so lucky