Delta to change 1st/C+ upgrades for two based on highest medallion level
May 19, 2016, 11:13 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA EXP, AS MVP75K GOLD, HHonors Diamond, BW Diamond, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 382
May 19, 2016, 11:32 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Near ATL AVL GSP
Programs: DLDime & MM - Marriott LifePlat - Hertz Prez - Hyatt Dissapointedist
Posts: 224
I think I responded to every Fight survey I received since Nov. When it asked "How likely are you to recommend Delta to others" my scores were never 4 or 5. I always explained that there should be something for 1 companion when traveling with the Medallion. However, I didn't think they'd go this far (or even listen).
May 19, 2016, 11:34 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
May 19, 2016, 11:39 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
In my case, wife gets "some" benefit because she is one tier lower than me (plat), but overall I'd rather not have this new so-called benefit.
Re-reading the posts, I see that the change really helps people screwed over by Delta's new C+ policy. I'm sympathetic, but I'd prefer the new "free companion upgrade" to apply ONLY to C+. Then I'd be totally supportive of this to correct a real and unnecessary problem Delta created in monetizing C+.
Last edited by Bowgie; May 19, 2016 at 11:45 pm
May 20, 2016, 12:02 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
What if Only One Seat is Available?
Others have alluded to this.
Suppose one F seat is available, and the upgrade list looks like this:
1. Diamond Bowgie + my Silver Nephew
2. Mr. Plat Businessman traveling alone
What happens? Two possibilities:
1. GA calls me to the podium and asks if I want the upgrade (and leave Sonny in cattle class).
2. GA sees ONE open seat, and goes to the highest ONE seat request on the upgrade list.
Now I'd like THAT one clarified by Delta.
Suppose one F seat is available, and the upgrade list looks like this:
1. Diamond Bowgie + my Silver Nephew
2. Mr. Plat Businessman traveling alone
What happens? Two possibilities:
1. GA calls me to the podium and asks if I want the upgrade (and leave Sonny in cattle class).
2. GA sees ONE open seat, and goes to the highest ONE seat request on the upgrade list.
Now I'd like THAT one clarified by Delta.
May 20, 2016, 5:26 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,089
Others have alluded to this.
Suppose one F seat is available, and the upgrade list looks like this:
1. Diamond Bowgie + my Silver Nephew
2. Mr. Plat Businessman traveling alone
What happens? Two possibilities:
1. GA calls me to the podium and asks if I want the upgrade (and leave Sonny in cattle class).
2. GA sees ONE open seat, and goes to the highest ONE seat request on the upgrade list.
Now I'd like THAT one clarified by Delta.
Suppose one F seat is available, and the upgrade list looks like this:
1. Diamond Bowgie + my Silver Nephew
2. Mr. Plat Businessman traveling alone
What happens? Two possibilities:
1. GA calls me to the podium and asks if I want the upgrade (and leave Sonny in cattle class).
2. GA sees ONE open seat, and goes to the highest ONE seat request on the upgrade list.
Now I'd like THAT one clarified by Delta.
May 20, 2016, 5:48 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PM, IHG Spire
Posts: 356
Excellent...I see this as them fixing the snafu on Comfort+ with a single companion. Glad I made my complaint known.
Let's not act like they are ever going to leave 2 unsold seats in FC available to make this an issue...
Let's not act like they are ever going to leave 2 unsold seats in FC available to make this an issue...
May 20, 2016, 5:48 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
It's a devaluation if you're competing against a Diamond in a higher fare bucket (or same fare/earlier request) who also has a companion upgrade request. How often do you think that's going to be the case?
May 20, 2016, 6:27 am
#40
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
May 20, 2016, 6:34 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, DL DM, UA 1K, MR PP
Posts: 352
I like this change a lot. I like the idea of the rare instance that I do travel with a companion, we can at least sit in C+ together, and possibly F/J.
I think it won't have as much of an effect overall as people might think as far as the UG list for DMs. Most of us travel alone anyway, especially during the week. Maybe Saturday/Sunday flights will get more competitive.
I am sure Delta will adjust inventory accordingly so that UG rates stay similar at lower levels, which may be beneficial for everyone.
I think it won't have as much of an effect overall as people might think as far as the UG list for DMs. Most of us travel alone anyway, especially during the week. Maybe Saturday/Sunday flights will get more competitive.
I am sure Delta will adjust inventory accordingly so that UG rates stay similar at lower levels, which may be beneficial for everyone.
May 20, 2016, 6:38 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
You can not please everyone. As a DM I gift GM to my wife as one of my benefits. So if she is traveling with me, she now gets a better UG shot. Lets give this some time and see how it pans out. 
May 20, 2016, 6:51 am
#43
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
May 20, 2016, 6:53 am
#44
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
This is not a good change for me. For business, I usually buy first. When I travel for vacation, I'm on low fares. Now I'll be trumped for upgrades by another diamond's low or no status companion. If it this had been limited to comfort plus/EC, it wouldn't bother me much. But getting jumped over for open first class seats by someone's travel buddy strikes me as unfair to those who travel actually earned the status.
May 20, 2016, 6:55 am
#45
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
You hit on an interesting point (maybe off topic and should be in another thread). If your wife, when she travels, mostly travels with you then this change may very well shake up what Choice Benefit we all pick each year as well! @:-)^:-: