Only Diamonds can now request medallion upgrade JFK-LAX/SFO - effective immediately
Mar 27, 2015, 10:24 am
#196
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Global Certs, Sky Club membership, 2 RDM per 0.9$, SDC co-terminal, boarding with PREM... combined these are pretty huge. Taking away the rare TCON UG from PM doesn't create an incentive for me to try for DM... it creates an incentive for me to book lowest/best routings regardless of airline.
Space available upgrades on almost EVERY OTHER domestic flight, + some Hawaii + Canada + Mexico + some Carribean + some Latin American flights - - just NOT JFK to LAX or SFO - - 2 routes in the entire continental USA!
Mar 27, 2015, 1:14 pm
#197
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I had not been trying to list the benefits of DM vs. PM. Not sure why people responded that way. But I think each person is different in how they value any benefit. For example, the Skyclub membership isn't as valuable to me as other benefits, because on a dollar basis, other benefits are more valuable, e.g. GUCs. For me, I was seriously contemplating moving to AA until they brought back transcon upgrades and created the GUCs, which are valuable to me in a way that SWUs were not.
In my opinion, the value of DM is higher upgrade position and the GUCs. I'm sure others value other benefits differently.
Mar 27, 2015, 2:41 pm
#198
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Mar 27, 2015, 3:17 pm
#199
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
If you fly a lot SFO-JFK (as I do) then this loss of a benefit is a biggie. If you fly up and down the West Coast then no biggie I suppose. Since most of my trips are actually last minute I'm buying more and more tickets up front which I guess at the end of the day is what DL wants.
Mar 27, 2015, 4:54 pm
#200
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LA CA
Programs: DL PM, Marriott GE
Posts: 58
As a PM that flys predominately LAX-JFK and was about 3,000 miles short of DM last year. Losing this was a huge stick in the eye from Delta. If I had know that this change was coming I would have done a quick MR at the end of last year.
FYI I was upgraded on about 50% of my transcontinental flights last year!
Mar 28, 2015, 10:25 am
#201
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
Tell that to the 2 DMs that were upgraded on my flight today!!!
As a PM that flys predominately LAX-JFK and was about 3,000 miles short of DM last year. Losing this was a huge stick in the eye from Delta. If I had know that this change was coming I would have done a quick MR at the end of last year.
FYI I was upgraded on about 50% of my transcontinental flights last year!
As a PM that flys predominately LAX-JFK and was about 3,000 miles short of DM last year. Losing this was a huge stick in the eye from Delta. If I had know that this change was coming I would have done a quick MR at the end of last year.
FYI I was upgraded on about 50% of my transcontinental flights last year!
Mar 28, 2015, 6:48 pm
#202
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LA CA
Programs: DL PM, Marriott GE
Posts: 58
No idea, I was responding to someone telling me that there we no open DO seats on that day. I do know there that there were 5 on the upgrade list and two were upgraded.
2 weeks ago I used 12,500 miles to grab the second to last of 6 available DO seats. The last one went to a Non-Rev deadheading back to LAX.
WHY? WHY ON EARTH WOULD I LIE ABOUT IT!!!! I'm always amused by people on this website accusing others of lying.
Its all about timing, particularly taking the last flight out (DL 427), generally I flew on a K+ fare, never anything above a S.
2 weeks ago I used 12,500 miles to grab the second to last of 6 available DO seats. The last one went to a Non-Rev deadheading back to LAX.
WHY? WHY ON EARTH WOULD I LIE ABOUT IT!!!! I'm always amused by people on this website accusing others of lying.
Its all about timing, particularly taking the last flight out (DL 427), generally I flew on a K+ fare, never anything above a S.
Mar 29, 2015, 10:46 am
#203
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
Hahah -he is just salty jealous. I love reading that kind of stuff and the response to them.
And you're right, "Timing is key...thats why I have no kids..." - sorry I just had to.
Mar 29, 2015, 11:54 am
#204
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NY
Programs: DL DIA, HHonors DIA, Marriott PlA
Posts: 161
As a DM who dropped to PM, I agree with this assessment. While I was still DM I was regularly missing these upgrades, which makes removing them from PMs yet another unnecessary stab in the back, especially since PMs don't even have the option to get UG certs usable on this route any more.
I no longer adjust my travel patterns to fly times to maximize upgrade chances. I'd rather spend more time at home (or my destination, when appropriate).
I no longer adjust my travel patterns to fly times to maximize upgrade chances. I'd rather spend more time at home (or my destination, when appropriate).
BUT, by getting me used to EC then I won't need DM status and start to look for options, cheaper flights, and look at other airlines.
Mar 29, 2015, 1:51 pm
#205
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: HKY
Programs: DL-DM MM & RW, UAL- PS, Marriott Lifetime PLT, SPG-PLT, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 4,468
+1 As a DM, I'VE NEVER gotten the DM UG. What DL is teaching DM's to do is to fly in the back of the airplane in EC+. They create revenue from FC and devalue DM membership. I've actually resigned myself to EC+/EC and learned in the 10 flights I've taken to just relax and it's not so bad.
BUT, by getting me used to EC then I won't need DM status and start to look for options, cheaper flights, and look at other airlines.
BUT, by getting me used to EC then I won't need DM status and start to look for options, cheaper flights, and look at other airlines.
So on a flight from PHX-ATL, tomorrow FL846.
8 Seats available in FC within 24 hour window and no UG.
No UG at 5 day availability
Thanks again DL. Thanks for making it easy for me to make sure the everyone I talk to I remind how bad DL is.
Thanks for making the program now the worst and making it easy for me.
I
8 seats in FC, and now upgrade at 5 day or 24 hour window?
Every survey you send me, I make sure I say I will NEVER recommend DL. I'm stuck for 2104, but not for 2015.
NOTE: Yes trolls, you will respond with the same ignorant responses:
1. More UG's for me. NOPE you're still not getting them either
2. Move on. I will, next year.
3. Stop whining, nothing you can do. BS. Be loud about how bad DL is.
Finally, I'm working with my advertising agency to create an ad to be placed in the NYT and the WSJ. I'll be hoping to start a non profit who's membership is made up of DL DM's who are tired of the BS and make a statement.
8 Seats available in FC within 24 hour window and no UG.
No UG at 5 day availability
Thanks again DL. Thanks for making it easy for me to make sure the everyone I talk to I remind how bad DL is.
Thanks for making the program now the worst and making it easy for me.
I
8 seats in FC, and now upgrade at 5 day or 24 hour window?
Every survey you send me, I make sure I say I will NEVER recommend DL. I'm stuck for 2104, but not for 2015.
NOTE: Yes trolls, you will respond with the same ignorant responses:
1. More UG's for me. NOPE you're still not getting them either
2. Move on. I will, next year.
3. Stop whining, nothing you can do. BS. Be loud about how bad DL is.
Finally, I'm working with my advertising agency to create an ad to be placed in the NYT and the WSJ. I'll be hoping to start a non profit who's membership is made up of DL DM's who are tired of the BS and make a statement.
Mar 29, 2015, 2:42 pm
#206
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
the last time I got jealous was back in 6th grade when my best friend wound up taking my girlfriend to the dance. I suppose a PM's % can be 50% if your basing it on 2 flights and he wound up getting the one UG on the 6:20 AM LAX to JFK. Other then that, nowadays, a PM wouldn't stand a chance, nor does a lowly DM for that matter either. I was on one of the red eyes LAX to JFK last night. That flight was sold out in J since last week!
Mar 29, 2015, 5:31 pm
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
+1 As a DM, I'VE NEVER gotten the DM UG. What DL is teaching DM's to do is to fly in the back of the airplane in EC+. They create revenue from FC and devalue DM membership. I've actually resigned myself to EC+/EC and learned in the 10 flights I've taken to just relax and it's not so bad.
BUT, by getting me used to EC then I won't need DM status and start to look for options, cheaper flights, and look at other airlines.
BUT, by getting me used to EC then I won't need DM status and start to look for options, cheaper flights, and look at other airlines.
Mar 30, 2015, 7:23 am
#208
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
Mar 30, 2015, 7:32 am
#209
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
the last time I got jealous was back in 6th grade when my best friend wound up taking my girlfriend to the dance. I suppose a PM's % can be 50% if your basing it on 2 flights and he wound up getting the one UG on the 6:20 AM LAX to JFK. Other then that, nowadays, a PM wouldn't stand a chance, nor does a lowly DM for that matter either. I was on one of the red eyes LAX to JFK last night. That flight was sold out in J since last week!