SkyMiles July Announcements
 

Today we are communicating a number of updates to the SkyMiles program. Below is a snapshot of what you can expect. To learn more visit http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...d-updates.html later this afternoon or check your email shortly if you are opted into Travel News and Updates.

COAST TO COAST COMFORT
For Diamond and Platinum members we are introducing greater flexibility with your Medallion Choice Benefits. Effective July 21, 2015 you can use Regional Upgrade Certificates in addition to Global Upgrade Certificates for a Delta One™ seat on eligible transcontinental flights between New York - JFK and Los Angeles - LAX or San Francisco - SFO. Regional Certificates are part of the wide array of Choice Benefits Diamond and Platinum Medallion members are able to select upon status qualification.

OUR LOWEST AWARDS
When we announced the SkyMiles 2015 program we committed to making more award seats available at the lowest prices and compared to last year, we’ve increased Award availability by more than double at the lowest prices to make it easier to use your miles. You’ll also find One-Way Awards starting at just 7,500 miles (plus taxes and fees) now through February 2016. To see the best availability and deals, search at least 21 days prior to departure and use our Award Calendar by selecting “flexible days” when searching for a flight. For more information visit: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tml?icid=FS_US

HEADS UP FOR SUMMER 2016
We know your miles are important to you, so we want to provide the most notice possible regarding Award price changes. For travel on or after June 1, 2016, the number of miles needed will change based on destination, demand and other dynamics. Most Award prices will remain unchanged. Miles needed to upgrade under the Mileage Upgrade Award program will increase, and to provide greater access to these upgrades, we’ve expanded the eligible types of fares. Learn more about Mileage Upgrade Award changes: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...de-awards.html

MORE WAYS TO EARN
Starting July 21, 2015, you can now earn MQDs and miles when purchasing Preferred Seats, Delta Comfort+, and paid upgrades to the Premium cabin.

EASIER WAYS TO REDEEM
It’s easier to use your miles with the ability to book Awards at delta.com on more partner airlines than ever (22 total now). We are working to add more partner airlines over time.

Thank you

Thanks for coming here to announce this.

As a bi-coastal Platinum, this is long overdue so thank you!

COAST TO COAST COMFORT
For Diamond and Platinum members we are introducing greater flexibility with your Medallion Choice Benefits. Effective July 21, 2015 you can use Regional Upgrade Certificates in addition to Global Upgrade Certificates for a Delta One™ seat on eligible transcontinental flights between New York - JFK and Los Angeles - LAX or San Francisco - SFO. Regional Certificates are part of the wide array of Choice Benefits Diamond and Platinum Medallion members are able to select upon status qualification.

This just devalued the DM free elite upgrades on these flights. It's implicity an transfer of benefits from DMs to PMs, which is very unusual.

SkyMiles July Announcements
 

Eager to see the new upgrade eligible fares. But will try to use all my skymiles before next summer.

Not necessarily

If upgrades are at the gate

DM get complimentary as today
PM have to use RUC but are behind Diamonds in pecking order

I acknowledge it might not work that way but as stated I don't see a DM downgrade

This page doesn't seem to be updated. Also, the fare classes required seem to still be the same.

Well, now we know why they got rid of mileage award charts. Looks like they really are going to revenue based award pricing.

So bye bye Delta AMEX
Hello Citibank 2% cash back

Thanks for throwing cold water on an otherwise reasonably good announcement. but whatever floats your boat....

Thanks SkyMilesTeam for coming to announce this. I appreciate the interaction.

I'm assuming that the transcons will follow the policy of other domestic flights in putting instrument supported RUC (or GUC or SWU) upgrades ahead of free elite upgrades in the priority list for gate upgrades. With more people able to use instruments (PM in addition to DM, plus more DMs who are willing to use a RUC but not a GUC on these flights), DMs will be less likely to get free elite upgrades at the gate.

For the few transcons that make upgrade space available in advance, it's up to DL how that space is allocated between OP/RP and OU/RU. I would assume that the overwhelming majority of upgrades will continue to be processed at the gate.

.....said by a PM who gains from this. It's not unreasonable to point out who are the winner and who are the losers when a policy change is announced.

These are up now. Can't wait to see how many more miles it's going to be now.

Added SHQK for int'l (this will make lots of people happy if the miles required don't go up too much).

Added back the LUT fares for domestic

While the trans-con change does devalue that route a bit for DMs, one should also remember that DMs can choose regional upgrades as well. So this isn't a total loss for a DM who wants to upgrade on this route. The value of a regional upgrade went up for both PMs and DMs.