International Delta flights also will come with guaranteed reward tickets for available seats, but in some cases it will cost you an eye-popping number of SkyMiles. For instance, a reward ticket for a last available first-class seat on a flight to Asia will cost 370,000 SkyMiles.
Wow. Can't wait to see what the other international tickets will cost...
ATLANTA (AP) - Delta Air Lines Inc. is giving frequent fliers a guaranteed ability to redeem miles for a reward ticket if a seat is available on a particular flight — but it will cost you.
The article left out how this is a "customer giveback", perhaps even of the sort talked about by DL SkyMiles management.
Last year, the guaranteed ability to redeem miles for a reward ticket if a seat was available on a particular flight was a SkyMiles feature too. DL took it away from SkyMiles customers and is now going to soon give it back at higher mileage prices than was the case when DL eliminated that feature in order to play this smoke and mirrors game to devalue SkyMiles.
The smoke and mirrors seems to be working for DL, if the article is anything to go by. No surprise. At least they mentioned one whopping big number of miles for a past SkyChoice type of award ticket to Asia in business class (since first class isn't generally an option with SkyMiles flights on SkyTeam carriers for international long-haul flights).
From the DL press release, a quote from our dear Jeff Robertson:
``These changes will allow our members to better use their miles when they want, where they want and how they want -- with no blackout dates and the ability again to book the last seat on the plane,'' said Jeff Robertson, managing director of Delta's SkyMiles program. ``It's all about Award Travel with flexibility -- something our customers have been asking for.''
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Programs: WorldPerks Demoted again to SE, DL 3.1MM Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GUWonder
The article left out how this is a "customer giveback", perhaps even of the sort talked about by DL SkyMiles management.
Quote:
Delta will continue to have a limited number of seats set aside for using 25,000 miles for a reward ticket. Using 40,000 miles will give you a better shot at snagging an available seat, but not a guarantee.
No, this is not a "customer giveback"- it is an "ENHANCEMENT" without the benefit of lubricant.
__________________ Life's tough......it's even tougher if you're stupid -- John Wayne
Programs: WorldPerks Demoted again to SE, DL 3.1MM Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 11,620
OMG, two ENHANCEMENTS in the same day...Be still my heart!!!!!!! What's next, charge for overhead storage or possibly a charge for using the Lav?????
Quote:
Fee changes effective in August include an increase to the service fee to check a second bag for domestic travel from $25 to $50; and fees for specialty items that require special handling such as surfboards or ski equipment will increase on domestic and international flights. First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will continue to be able to check up to three bags at no charge. Customers checking bags on international flights may continue checking a first and second bag at no charge.
More details on these changes and others are available in Delta's checked bag policy at delta.com.
__________________ Life's tough......it's even tougher if you're stupid -- John Wayne
Hawaiian is also adjusting its frequent flyer mileage requirements (see attached chart) for award travel on or after September 1, 2008. Hawaiian last changed its minimum mileage requirements for award travel 14 years ago, when oil was less than $20 per barrel. The program will retain its innovative 3-tier combinable one-way awards structure that makes it easier for members to use their miles with 25 different award combinations for a round trip.
