I wasn't around the last time the Skymiles program was changed. Were the old mile (and their value) grandfathered? I think I have read that it was promised that their value would be retained, but were eventually stripped of their value.
How long did DL actually honor the promise of the grandfathered value?
Programs: DL DM, DL MM, UA MM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Dimd
Posts: 19,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by bajrbajr
I wasn't around the last time the Skymiles program was changed. Were the old mile (and their value) grandfathered? I think I have read that it was promised that their value would be retained, but were eventually stripped of their value.
How long did DL actually honor the promise of the grandfathered value?
Quite a while, maybe 10-15 years. However, it was not long enough for some who were caught unawares and did in fact see their real miles turned into SkyPesos.
Maybe I am too cynical, but I can't see how such turnover could bring good news to the passengers is jeff even still around?
One can only guess why or how we have so many postings over a month - but somehow I see this as alignment with corporate drive to maximize shareholder value :/ on the back of customers
Or maybe, good things are indeed coming, and the skymiles program makes strides to actually become best in class (for frequent flyers). hah
One position I know is a result of a scheduled retirement, but I was surprised to see that medallion program manager opening. What happened to the gentleman that was in that position? I thought he was there for the Freddie awards few months ago... http://www.freddieawards.com/attendees.php
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Been around the world (over and over and over and over...)
So if there are drastic changes coming to the program next year, is it really necessary to burn DL miles now? If DL grandfathers the old miles, even for a couple - few years, their value won't vanish right away.
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 19,522
Quote:
Originally Posted by AA_EXP09
But M fares are generally bought for flexibility, not just SWU use.
If this is true, then DL should offer an inflexible fare on which SWUs can be applied. It could be more expensive or have more restrictions than existing fares, so that there is some addition to the fare for the privilege of upgrading. Or DL could allow upgrades into BE from H fares with a copay.
The Loyalty Program is comprised of two projects that seek to increase revenue and customer loyalty along with
decreasing liability related to unused award miles. Coordinated communication to the general public regarding the
intentions of these changes is paramount to acceptance.
Revenue Based Mileage Accrual (RBMA) project shifts the basis for awarding miles to a revenue based accrual approach
Release 0: Support the communication/announcement of upcoming SkyMiles program changes (targeted 1Q12).
Will no longer display distance flown miles for departures after new miles accrual effective date (targeted for 3Q12)
Release 0.5: Provide Mileage Calculator to calculate approximate revenue based mileage accrual based on travel
after launch ((targeted 2Q12)
Release 1: Convert SkyMiles System from flown miles to revenue based mileage accrual (3Q12)
Release 2: Reward SkyMiles members with miles for all non-air purchases (i.e. SkyClub, Seats) (currently On Hold)
Fare Based Award Ticket Redemption (FBATR) project
Fast Track Release – Provides limited base functionality to align with the Polaris Chicago release timing
Phase I at Launch introduces Fare Based Award Redemption Model, Single Shopping Experience for Customer, New Award Inventory Controls, Cash + Miles Award Redemption Product, Award Redemption for OA, Modifications to the automated Award Refund, Redeposit, and Reissue and Exchange Process
Phase II – After Launch includes Bid for Price Award Redemption Product, Buy It Now Award Redemption Product, Volume Discount Award Redemption Product, Modifications to SkyMiles Branded Mileage Upgrade Products, and Modifications to SkyMiles System-Wide Upgrade Certificates
This website needs a rolling on the ground laughing emoticon.
I wasn't around the last time the Skymiles program was changed. Were the old mile (and their value) grandfathered? I think I have read that it was promised that their value would be retained, but were eventually stripped of their value.
How long did DL actually honor the promise of the grandfathered value?
Yes and yes.
The management lie was "Old Miles will always be Old Miles."
IIRC, the two-tiered system lasted a few years.
Hint: get really nervous when you hear absolute assurances from DL management. As in "Flying Colonels get lifetime Crown Room membership."
__________________ Bring decency back to DieMiles®. Don't let Anderson steal miles from widows and orphans. Fight the Delta Airlines 100% death tax! ... after all, you are going to die sometime.
I wasn't around the last time the Skymiles program was changed. Were the old mile (and their value) grandfathered? I think I have read that it was promised that their value would be retained, but were eventually stripped of their value.
How long did DL actually honor the promise of the grandfathered value?
Yes, they were grandfathered for exactly 10 years, the the remaining balance was transferred into Skymiles. Lot's of fun reedeiming old awards ( 75K business TATL to europe! ) when the ( younger ) phone agents had no idea about the old Frequent flyer programm.
Programs: DL PM Kryptonium Ham Sandwich GAMER, CO Plat, UA 1P, US, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HH Silver, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 7,737
Okay, EoS, do your worst. I've burned about three quarters of a million SkyMiles this year and my balance is now down to 4 digits. Finished it off with an 11 CPM int'l J redemption for next year. (Never mind that between abysmal availability, AF/KL restrictions, and the award calendar, it took 8 hours of searching on DL to find what UA and their partners offered in large quantities and easily bookable in 5 minutes.)
I'm ready for you.
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. <--- Grain of salt. Take with post as necessary.
Programs: Hyatt Plat;SC mem; DL PM; DL Amex Plat; Hertz No1 Gold; Hilton Silver; Former CO Gold
Posts: 3,882
I wondered how long it would be before this thread got bumped again. Glad it was not me responsible for the bumping. Anyway, 7weeks before year end and loads of new DL social media members can you at least give us a hint when the timing of any announcement (good or bad) will be?
Programs: WN CP & A-list preferred, Interstate BBQ at MEM B17, fan of Hyatt, Priceline, and Hotwire
Posts: 14,254
Quote:
Originally Posted by delanet
interesting speculation on TPG. Thoughts?
Southwest's customers made a lot of noise when the new fare-based Rapid Rewards was introduced almost two years ago. The new program turned both earning and redemption tactics upside down. Now that we are accustomed to the new tactics some of us like the new program.
Yet there's no getting around the fact that a program overhaul like this is a huge devaluation to customers who have become expert at gaming the old program. Southwest's change devalued my earnings by a factor of 3. But life goes on, and we need to remember the years of abundance. Considering the number of years that I earned 70% to 100% effective rebates on my Southwest ticket purchases, I consider myself still to be ahead in this game.
One other point. Frequent flier programs operate on the principle that the customer perceives a value which is higher than the airline's cost to provide that value. Part of this mismatch derives from continual devaluations, so that the customer's perception of redemption value always lags reality. The airlines need to keep devaluation moving so as to keep customers fooled. In fact, the airlines need to keep accelerating the devaluation to keep customers fooled. (This is the same situation faced by governments which choose to fund a significant portion of their operations by printing money: Only by accelerating the inflation can the government stay ahead of public expectations.)
At some point the accelerating devaluation exceeds reasonable limits and customer confidence in the value of miles completely evaporates. A new program can restart the process slowly after the old liabilities are voided, e.g. in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Until then, expect devaluation to continue and to accelerate. Economics practically demands it.
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is jeff even still around?
