New Three-Tier System/Award Calendar In Effect
Oct 17, 2008, 10:49 am
#196
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orange County and oftentimes London
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, HH Diamond, AA EXP, VS Gold, BAEC Silver, Global Entry, UK RT
Posts: 539
Well this is the first time I can claim to be annoyed with skymiles. I have been trying to get enough miles for a RT to athens with the GF first class and actually had dates and everything that would work and now they made this change. While in theory nothing major should have changed it appears they have made the international flights nearly all medium or above level (when before just 3 days ago half were low). Also even when searching the lows for possible new dates the lowest RT I could find was costing 150k compared to the 100k. Can anyone here at all find dates from IAH to ATH that actually cost their 'low' value? This isn't for my use I am just wondering if they actually exist now.
Quite annoyed and definitely thinking of switching over to AA/Con
Quite annoyed and definitely thinking of switching over to AA/Con
Oct 17, 2008, 10:55 am
#197
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SLC
Programs: DL DM-1MM
Posts: 309
i do like the new calendar
but when you see 'LOW' i wish the mileage returned was actually 'LOW'. 32,500 and 40,000 seem to qualify all the time as the Lowest redeemable values when i've been searching lately. 32,500 isn't awful by any means, but it isn't quite what i've been expecting.
Oct 17, 2008, 10:58 am
#198
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Bu.. bu... but the email I got this morning from DL announcing the new three-tier program said they issued a whole "150,000" award tickets during "peak" travel periods during 2007. Assuming 4,000 daily flights, and 10 "peak" travel days, that's a whole 4 people per flight. 
The new program is bad, bad, bad....
The new program is bad, bad, bad....
Oct 17, 2008, 11:04 am
#199
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orange County and oftentimes London
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, HH Diamond, AA EXP, VS Gold, BAEC Silver, Global Entry, UK RT
Posts: 539
The ironic thing is that I am checking in the "off-season" for Europe but I guess that does not make a difference to DL.
Oct 17, 2008, 11:27 am
#200
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,561
all the more reason to make gold this year... then status match to CO. The 3 tier program is gonna be horrible... Glad I burned 400k NW miles before the junk fees went in and the merger goes through.
Oct 17, 2008, 12:10 pm
#201
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
DL wants to separate you from your miles as fast as possible and guarantee you the great opportunity of getting a bad deal compared to the competition.
Oct 17, 2008, 1:36 pm
#202
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BRI
Programs: UA Premier Gold, DL FO, DL MM, Marriott Gold, Hyatt platinum
Posts: 914
So let's add it up. We have devalued skymiles, ridiculous new award fees, and a deceitful three-tier award system, all complemented by an award calendar that usually doesn't work.
Thanks, Delta, for taking such great care of your loyal customers.
Thanks, Delta, for taking such great care of your loyal customers.
Oct 17, 2008, 1:45 pm
#203
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
I'm on AA for my next trip to the west coast.
Oct 17, 2008, 2:23 pm
#204
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,289
I believe that they've added additional tiers, not taken away the lower ones. If a low/saver award isn't available now, it wouldn't have been under the old structure either. Also, on a CPM basis, I am seeing much higher values per mile than year or two ago. Not sure how you've concluded devaluation, and it is even more confusing why you assert it is deceitful.
If the award fees are "ridiculous" and the airlines are unable to raise prices effectively because of the inherently slow process of reducing over-capacity, how do you propose they increase revenues to return to profitability?
The award calendar clearly has issues, including where it will show "low" but no "low" option is selectable when you proceed. DeltaWebDev has posted that they are working on this and that it is challenging with the data demands. Certainly frustrating though.
Oct 17, 2008, 3:10 pm
#205
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BRI
Programs: UA Premier Gold, DL FO, DL MM, Marriott Gold, Hyatt platinum
Posts: 914
Oct 17, 2008, 3:17 pm
#206
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: BNA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Diamond, *wood plat, UA 1kc
Posts: 921
It should have been fixed before it was deployed. No excuse for such bush-league stuff.
Oct 17, 2008, 3:29 pm
#207
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Madison, Al. USA
Posts: 110
Originally Posted by RealDLInsider
Hi everyone.
As you know, we’re in the process of implementing our new three-tiered SkyMiles Award redemption structure. We’re in the soft-launch phase, which includes making the necessary technology updates at delta.com.
As you also know, we’ve experienced a few glitches along the way. With new technology, it often takes time to ensure things are up and running exactly as they should be. Know that we value your business. We’re working quickly to resolve the issues we’ve encountered; and we’re listening to all of the feedback you’re sharing with us along the way.
We want you to know that with the new Award structure you’ll find you have more flexibility and more options when you’re redeeming miles for Award travel. And, with last-seat Award availability, any unsold seat on the plane is yours.
We’re making a change that I truly believe will benefit you, our most valued customers, and I thank you for your patience as well roll out the new program. As always, I appreciate your feedback. We’re listening.
Jeff
And....
Two weeks later and not one apparent change (or correction) has been made. Come on now...
You have announced lie-flat seats on LHR flights as "Elite fliers demand it". What about flyers cashing in their miles on-line.....by definition, most of us are elite.
__________________
64K+ DL BIS miles YTD
...Well lets make that three weeks later......and if anything the situation is worse. You literally, if you have the time...can spend hours searching for the right combination, if you can even get that far. Still get error messages galour, just like the first few days, and searching for international......you don't even get the calendar function (which is useless anyway) half the time. It just goes straight to flight selections (on the cost method), and of course, the schedule method.....who knows what you will get, it is like reaching down in a barrel to see what you might pull out.
Guess I have vented enough....for what it is worth. Apparently all goes on deaf ears. Very, very frustrating. You would think Delta would be able to resolve at least some of this by now. Even a little. One can always hope.
Hi everyone.
As you know, we’re in the process of implementing our new three-tiered SkyMiles Award redemption structure. We’re in the soft-launch phase, which includes making the necessary technology updates at delta.com.
As you also know, we’ve experienced a few glitches along the way. With new technology, it often takes time to ensure things are up and running exactly as they should be. Know that we value your business. We’re working quickly to resolve the issues we’ve encountered; and we’re listening to all of the feedback you’re sharing with us along the way.
We want you to know that with the new Award structure you’ll find you have more flexibility and more options when you’re redeeming miles for Award travel. And, with last-seat Award availability, any unsold seat on the plane is yours.
We’re making a change that I truly believe will benefit you, our most valued customers, and I thank you for your patience as well roll out the new program. As always, I appreciate your feedback. We’re listening.
Jeff
And....
Two weeks later and not one apparent change (or correction) has been made. Come on now...
You have announced lie-flat seats on LHR flights as "Elite fliers demand it". What about flyers cashing in their miles on-line.....by definition, most of us are elite.
__________________
64K+ DL BIS miles YTD
...Well lets make that three weeks later......and if anything the situation is worse. You literally, if you have the time...can spend hours searching for the right combination, if you can even get that far. Still get error messages galour, just like the first few days, and searching for international......you don't even get the calendar function (which is useless anyway) half the time. It just goes straight to flight selections (on the cost method), and of course, the schedule method.....who knows what you will get, it is like reaching down in a barrel to see what you might pull out.
Guess I have vented enough....for what it is worth. Apparently all goes on deaf ears. Very, very frustrating. You would think Delta would be able to resolve at least some of this by now. Even a little. One can always hope.
Oct 17, 2008, 3:54 pm
#208
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Deceitfulness is evident in denying that the three-tier award system is a vehicle for a massive SkyMiles devaluation.
The 2008 Award for Fleecing the Frequent Flyer goes to Delta SkyMiles.
The 2008 Award for Fleecing the Frequent Flyer goes to Delta SkyMiles.
Oct 17, 2008, 3:59 pm
#209
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
Originally Posted by RealDLInsider
Hi everyone.
As you know, we’re in the process of implementing our new three-tiered SkyMiles Award redemption structure. We’re in the soft-launch phase, which includes making the necessary technology updates at delta.com.
As you also know, we’ve experienced a few glitches along the way. With new technology, it often takes time to ensure things are up and running exactly as they should be. Know that we value your business. We’re working quickly to resolve the issues we’ve encountered; and we’re listening to all of the feedback you’re sharing with us along the way.
We want you to know that with the new Award structure you’ll find you have more flexibility and more options when you’re redeeming miles for Award travel. And, with last-seat Award availability, any unsold seat on the plane is yours.
We’re making a change that I truly believe will benefit you, our most valued customers, and I thank you for your patience as well roll out the new program. As always, I appreciate your feedback. We’re listening.
Jeff
And....
Two weeks later and not one apparent change (or correction) has been made. Come on now...
You have announced lie-flat seats on LHR flights as "Elite fliers demand it". What about flyers cashing in their miles on-line.....by definition, most of us are elite.
__________________
64K+ DL BIS miles YTD
...Well lets make that three weeks later......and if anything the situation is worse. You literally, if you have the time...can spend hours searching for the right combination, if you can even get that far. Still get error messages galour, just like the first few days, and searching for international......you don't even get the calendar function (which is useless anyway) half the time. It just goes straight to flight selections (on the cost method), and of course, the schedule method.....who knows what you will get, it is like reaching down in a barrel to see what you might pull out.
Guess I have vented enough....for what it is worth. Apparently all goes on deaf ears. Very, very frustrating. You would think Delta would be able to resolve at least some of this by now. Even a little. One can always hope.
Hi everyone.
As you know, we’re in the process of implementing our new three-tiered SkyMiles Award redemption structure. We’re in the soft-launch phase, which includes making the necessary technology updates at delta.com.
As you also know, we’ve experienced a few glitches along the way. With new technology, it often takes time to ensure things are up and running exactly as they should be. Know that we value your business. We’re working quickly to resolve the issues we’ve encountered; and we’re listening to all of the feedback you’re sharing with us along the way.
We want you to know that with the new Award structure you’ll find you have more flexibility and more options when you’re redeeming miles for Award travel. And, with last-seat Award availability, any unsold seat on the plane is yours.
We’re making a change that I truly believe will benefit you, our most valued customers, and I thank you for your patience as well roll out the new program. As always, I appreciate your feedback. We’re listening.
Jeff
And....
Two weeks later and not one apparent change (or correction) has been made. Come on now...
You have announced lie-flat seats on LHR flights as "Elite fliers demand it". What about flyers cashing in their miles on-line.....by definition, most of us are elite.
__________________
64K+ DL BIS miles YTD
...Well lets make that three weeks later......and if anything the situation is worse. You literally, if you have the time...can spend hours searching for the right combination, if you can even get that far. Still get error messages galour, just like the first few days, and searching for international......you don't even get the calendar function (which is useless anyway) half the time. It just goes straight to flight selections (on the cost method), and of course, the schedule method.....who knows what you will get, it is like reaching down in a barrel to see what you might pull out.
Guess I have vented enough....for what it is worth. Apparently all goes on deaf ears. Very, very frustrating. You would think Delta would be able to resolve at least some of this by now. Even a little. One can always hope.
I fly delta because i am a schmuck......but someday i will wake up. for what it is worth, got my first SW award ticket booked.....signs of my future.
Oct 17, 2008, 4:06 pm
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,537
I know the Freddies are about awarding the best in the industry, but I'd like to see some worst category awards. 
Finally, something DL would win!
Finally, something DL would win!