DL hardly acknowledging silver medallion anymore?
#46
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
Why don't you just tell the board to get rid of silver at your next shareholder meeting? I bet Delta saved a good $500 not sending out silver medallion cards this year. You be sure to high five them on that.
#47
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Of course it might also reflect a formerly valuable customer who now directs business elsewhere. None of us here are the experts on whether Delta wants or needs to get that former business back, but turning silver into dirt doesn't exactly help with that if it is in fact important to their business.
BTW, "accomplishment" heh heh, nice one. Anyone who thinks flying lots of miles is an accomplishment is warped.
BTW, "accomplishment" heh heh, nice one. Anyone who thinks flying lots of miles is an accomplishment is warped.
#48
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 585
Of course it might also reflect a formerly valuable customer who now directs business elsewhere. None of us here are the experts on whether Delta wants or needs to get that former business back, but turning silver into dirt doesn't exactly help with that if it is in fact important to their business.
BTW, "accomplishment" heh heh, nice one. Anyone who thinks flying lots of miles is an accomplishment is warped.
BTW, "accomplishment" heh heh, nice one. Anyone who thinks flying lots of miles is an accomplishment is warped.
I consider that an accomplishment
#49
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 217
No, they don't. See this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24504015-post22.html
So... Today almost all benefits you can get through $95/year amex. Except maybe exit rows. Other than that - extra miles are not that huge with 25k flying (I mean $3k spending), and EC at T-24 isn't a big deal because of, again, only 25k. Plus, mostly it'd be nothing or middle seat at T-24 on popular routes.
So, mostly I agree - being a FO isn't something that special.
#50
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
They would also not want to give CC holders GM status as that implies ST Elite+ benefits which includes lounge access for international travel
#51
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
To those who claims 25,000 miles a year is nothing, you need to consider other markets outside of US or Europe where flying is not a norm. In the Asia markets, to fly 25,000 miles a year is not something to scoff at and typically can only be achieved if long haul international travel is involved. NA and Europe airlines who hopes to grow their market share in Asia (hence develop their overall network) are fortunately still sensitive to that.
My sense is that this is also why the MQD requirements are waived for non-US based customers. Since it is proven they could award Miles based on spent, the only other reason why MQD is not required is probably that they do not want to alienate the Asian market.
My sense is that this is also why the MQD requirements are waived for non-US based customers. Since it is proven they could award Miles based on spent, the only other reason why MQD is not required is probably that they do not want to alienate the Asian market.
#52
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
#53
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mid Atlantic
Programs: Delta Plat, one-time United Plat, Amex Plat, Marriott Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, Bus Pass
Posts: 1,237
#54
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: central Wisconsin
Programs: DL-FO, amex platinum, ducks unlimited, pheasants forever
Posts: 154
One could fly 49,999 miles or 59 segments and remain FO.
Last year I had almost 40 segments which in today's flying "climate" was more than enough for me. Preferred seats and C+ are the only reasons I try to maintain FO. A very small token from DL for low value customers.
Last year I had almost 40 segments which in today's flying "climate" was more than enough for me. Preferred seats and C+ are the only reasons I try to maintain FO. A very small token from DL for low value customers.
#55
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CMH
Programs: united
Posts: 129
Not hearing a welcome message is not the end of the day. However you can still score an upgrade if you select an off peak flight on the right route which to me is a nice benefit and also the Comfort + seats at the 24 hour mark. IMHO, those two are the major perks for an FO. @:-)
As a gold I basically never get upgrades -- typically below 10 on the upgrade list, often below 30. It is hard to imagine that silver would ever get upgraded, even on off-peak routes.
#56
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Get over it. DL is not rewarding anyone's flying or, for that matter, rewarding anyfor anything. SMs is a marketing tool with limited resources. You cannot UG everyone on the plane. If you give certain benefits to everyone they become less desirable. For example, if FO boarded with SP+, PMs and GMs would get crowded out of earlier boarding.
DL has made a decision how to allocate the limited resources. In many cases, DL has determined they can maximize the effectiveness of the marketing tool by limiting certain benefits to DM and/or PM and/or GM. It's obviously more cost effective and has a better impact on the bottom line if FOs are not included in certain benefits. Either accept what is being offered or move to a different airline.
DL has made a decision how to allocate the limited resources. In many cases, DL has determined they can maximize the effectiveness of the marketing tool by limiting certain benefits to DM and/or PM and/or GM. It's obviously more cost effective and has a better impact on the bottom line if FOs are not included in certain benefits. Either accept what is being offered or move to a different airline.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
AS Elites have reported getting upgraded on DL a number of times on the inter-west flights out of the LAX and SEA hubs. Also reports of FC seats going empty. If AS elites are getting upgraded on these routes, it's a safe bet that so are Silver Medallions as they are higher in the upgrade priority. Yes, upgrades are much more difficult out of the eastern hubs where there are large DL FF bases, but it's not quite universally true that upgrades are difficult everywhere.
#58
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 189
I'm silver and I get more upgrades than I would have expected. I typically fly to smaller regions from ATL and on the way out, I'm way down the list and the flight's usually oversold. But on the way back, I have a decent shot. My last 2 trips this month I was upgraded on the way back and it was done before I ever even got to the airport. I just see it on the app.
But my brother is a DM and since he's a consultant, he's on the consultant heavy routes and he's usually 20th or 30th on the list. So I think it is route dependent; but if you're silver, you're probably not going to get upgraded on any route where people would actually go to voluntarily. Although I did get upgraded once from PBI to ATL.
But my brother is a DM and since he's a consultant, he's on the consultant heavy routes and he's usually 20th or 30th on the list. So I think it is route dependent; but if you're silver, you're probably not going to get upgraded on any route where people would actually go to voluntarily. Although I did get upgraded once from PBI to ATL.
#60
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 385
As a former FO, I know well that the benefits don't go much beyond those of amex cardholders. But, I was surprised by what I heard on my recent flight. During the FA welcome message, I'm used to hearing "we extend a special welcome to our medallion members" and this last time it was "we extend a special welcome to our diamond, platinum, and gold medallion members."
I see this as further evidence that DM is the new PM, PM is the new GM, GM is the new FO, and FO isn't even really a thing anymore.
I know that one FA greeting is obviously not a definitive sign of change, but I found this sadly hilarious in the face of all of the recent changes.
I see this as further evidence that DM is the new PM, PM is the new GM, GM is the new FO, and FO isn't even really a thing anymore.
I know that one FA greeting is obviously not a definitive sign of change, but I found this sadly hilarious in the face of all of the recent changes.