Diamond is the new Silver?
Sep 28, 2015, 11:01 am
#61
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Here
Posts: 224
Or anniversary, or birthday, or "get out of doghouse free" gift. I use my PM choice for a Tiffany GC and one of my DM choices for a second.
Sep 28, 2015, 12:47 pm
#62
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Programs: Bonvoy LTT, Hyatt Exp, AA 1MM, UA Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 970
Sep 28, 2015, 1:52 pm
#63
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lynbrook, NY
Programs: Delta Ham Sandwich, IHG Spire, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 83
But, that's not any funnnnnn!! You're missing out on the "game" of . . . .
Will I get the UG - - or won't I?
Checking every evening at the time when the UG window passes to see if it cleared!
If it doesn't, checking the UG list every 10 minutes all day before departure!
Will Shena rear her ugly head, so I can post it on FlyerTalk?
UG's don't clear, so, then, you can come here to bit$ch about it!
See, paying takes the fun out of it!!!
Will I get the UG - - or won't I?
Checking every evening at the time when the UG window passes to see if it cleared!
If it doesn't, checking the UG list every 10 minutes all day before departure!
Will Shena rear her ugly head, so I can post it on FlyerTalk?
UG's don't clear, so, then, you can come here to bit$ch about it!
See, paying takes the fun out of it!!!
Sep 28, 2015, 2:19 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Sep 28, 2015, 2:38 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: JFK,ATL,LGA (the rest of the world follows)
Programs: DL KM/DM/2MM (NH Plat emeritus, CO Plat emeritus, and no place like home)
Posts: 3,190
No, it is not the new FO. That said, the ability to redeem certain published benefits (as well as unpublished benefits) has been declining.
The people who answer the diamond desk calls are not always diamond desk people anymore,
The ability to request certain exemptions has been declining,
and the feeling of 'we will go the extra mile for you' is certainly not always around. I live out the problems listed in this thread (e.g. actual available upgrade list).
The ability, and willingness, of agents to actually go and manual 'write in' something if the computer gets it wrong (and it does).
The percentage of times agents need to call a supervisor or tech support to solve a problem has been increasing, and as a result the time I need to 'hold in line' increases as well, to the point I almost missed a flight
The general 'if there is a way to interpret the rule in your favor, we'd do it' approach is further away than it used to be. Not the old 'no waivers, no favors', but certainly not the 'let's help you out!' approach.
Finished venting. Move on.
The people who answer the diamond desk calls are not always diamond desk people anymore,
The ability to request certain exemptions has been declining,
and the feeling of 'we will go the extra mile for you' is certainly not always around. I live out the problems listed in this thread (e.g. actual available upgrade list).
The ability, and willingness, of agents to actually go and manual 'write in' something if the computer gets it wrong (and it does).
The percentage of times agents need to call a supervisor or tech support to solve a problem has been increasing, and as a result the time I need to 'hold in line' increases as well, to the point I almost missed a flight
The general 'if there is a way to interpret the rule in your favor, we'd do it' approach is further away than it used to be. Not the old 'no waivers, no favors', but certainly not the 'let's help you out!' approach.
Finished venting. Move on.
Sep 28, 2015, 2:40 pm
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM, AA PLT, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,056
Sep 28, 2015, 2:46 pm
#67
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: National Capitol Region
Programs: Delta Dirt Medallion,AA,USairways, WN Rapid Rewards, National Emerald Club
Posts: 3,912
I've shopped all the lagacies domestically and it's frequently the case that you can purchase F for $200 over coach - Delta, United, AA, they are ALL doing it.
FF programs are just icing on the cake these days. IMO this is the healthiest perspective.
Sep 28, 2015, 5:18 pm
#68
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tricoastal - London, New York, Silicon Valley
Programs: DL DM/2.5MM, 20 Years Top Tier on DL, UA 1K, AC E75k, MR/SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,309
TFD
Sep 28, 2015, 6:12 pm
#69
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SJU
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 152
As misguided as this comment is, if only it were true. The Princess and I chase status with several Reserve cards and fly BC most every time for free on OOM. Please please more people believe in his OPM idea. We will be so grateful. Please and thank you.
Sep 30, 2015, 8:18 am
#71
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I'm so tired of these threads. Missing one upgrade hardly makes Diamond have the same value as Silver.
Sep 30, 2015, 8:23 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
Sep 30, 2015, 9:01 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
Sep 30, 2015, 9:07 am
#74
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
They don't seem to list the "paid" and "flown" fares anymore, but based on what I remember, at least the last 15 of mine were upgraded. Yep, 15 of 15. Not counting awards and CRJ's, of course.
I stopped scrolling at that point so could be more. Many of these were easy (PHF-ATL, ATL-VPS) but not all (ATL-LAS, DFW). And generally during rush hours.
I stopped scrolling at that point so could be more. Many of these were easy (PHF-ATL, ATL-VPS) but not all (ATL-LAS, DFW). And generally during rush hours.
Sep 30, 2015, 9:32 am
#75
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IND
Programs: DL DM, SPG AMB, National EE
Posts: 1,301
It all depends on time and route. My upgrades this year are definitely down from last year. But, I'm also doing more long haul flights at peak times.
Last week I was about to not get upgraded for the thursday evening consultant shuttle from MSP to IND. But, I got to the airport a little early and got the last seat on the earlier flight home. Sure, it was 20A on a CRJ and we were landing before the drink cart made it back, but as a DM i jumped over 20+ on the standby list for that seat. I'll take getting home 2 hours early over a couple woodfords every time.
Last week I was about to not get upgraded for the thursday evening consultant shuttle from MSP to IND. But, I got to the airport a little early and got the last seat on the earlier flight home. Sure, it was 20A on a CRJ and we were landing before the drink cart made it back, but as a DM i jumped over 20+ on the standby list for that seat. I'll take getting home 2 hours early over a couple woodfords every time.
