What are the differences between M fares and B fares? In other words, will I be getting something more for the extra money other than the MQMs?
(Being higher on the upgrade list doesn't matter to me as I always make certain that my trans-oceanic flights are upgraded as soon as I purchase and, last year, managed to have all but one of my domestic flights upgraded at the same time and for no additional SkyMiles.)
You're not getting much more... only that sometimes the B fare may be refundable, however intl M fares can be refundable also with a fee. From what I've seen the B fare is about another 10-20% over the M fare. At that point its cheaper to by an I or certainly S fare and have a confirmed seat, which is probably what DL is intending to push. This change made it clear they don't care unless you're buying high fare econ or BE seats.
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, US Silver, IC PlAm, HH Gold, AClub Plat, Carlson Gold, Amtrak SP
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The question for me is - is the DL.com pricing going to be the same as the KL/AF/Others.com pricing. Probably not, and probably not worth the extra cost. That being said, I'm not jumping ship yet. I'm not quite cheap enough.
But you all are right.....I've got no shot at an upgrade today and there are 30 people below me on the list. Almost half the plane is elites and this is not a very elite route.
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Programs: Feels like FO (DL DM, CO-G, United PE) - by choice!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbarnette
All of the formal guidance is clear. Not sort of clear. Clear. DL- coded flights count. Why are you trying to manufacture a problem that isn't there? The agent is wrong (shocker).
pb, what's up with you?! usually you're not that "devoted" on making a point for the only sake of making a point.
BER is totally correct in my books and he has all right to be concerned. Over the past year, there have been issues with flight codings and accessibility of such flights for DL agents. I have one next Friday: regardless of whether its a DL, KL or AF ticket, everyone in the JV seems to be unable to code AF1434 as DL - and that despite of that flight clearly HAVING a DL number: Delta Air Lines 8419. Usually you have the choice of taking a later flight (4.5 hours layover) or have AF ticket your trip (which would mean no MQD). The same stands true for some CDG-TLV flights. Or some CDG-VIE flights ...
Additionally, come on what's the problem with AF? It has been several months now that the TXL-CDG flights are causing problems. I can book an award ticket TXL-CDG/CDG-TXL with no issues but I cannot book a revenue ticket. They try to route via AMS. If you want to jump on a non-stop with one of the founding ST members, you have to call in and they gladly refer you to AF for booking such a ticket: result is AF-stock, AF-coded, and AF MQD (0).
In summary, there are JV flights out there that don't have a DL flight number and won't get one. Up to now this wasn't an issue since they all earned the same MQM. Consequently, I agree with BER, he is not trying to overcomplicate things, he is just putting his finger right on existing and well-documented issues.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BER Flyer
It' not me trying to make it problematic, the info is out there for 3 days and already DL agents get it wrong ( hopefully in this case ). It would be easy for DL to officially put this matter to rest by just clarifying the FAQ's on the website by simly stating that you earn MQD's on other airline tickets as long as the flight has an DL flight number.
__________________ DL '12 SEG'S 38 MQM 137000 CO|UA '12 EQM 2000 - Loyalty should go both ways but DL is trying the one way street on me.
Since I've already earned Diamond Status for the 2014 year, will I still have to earn MQD's too?
No, the spend req kicks in during 2014 for the 2015 qualifying. Those of us who already qualified for 2014 will keep our status until 3/15. To keep the status for 2015, you would need to meet the MQM/MQD reqs during 2014.
Yeah, a little confusing. Here's the example DL offers in their FAQ...
If you achieve one Medallion qualification criteria and not the other, your status will be determined based on the lower of the two qualifying thresholds that you achieved. For example, if you earned 76,000 MQMs (enough to qualify for Platinum Medallion status), but had $6,000 MQDs (enough to qualify for Gold Medallion status, but not Platinum Medallion status), then you will earn Gold Medallion status. Rollover MQMs would be calculated as anything in excess of the MQM threshold for the status earned based on the new criteria.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BER Flyer
WOW! IF this information is correct ( and we still need a formal confirmation ) THAT is a huge blow! That means you wont earn any MQD's on Delta operated flights with a DL flight number if you are not having a DL issued 006 ticket. I'm not sure if most of you understand the consequences: NO MQD's for you on ANY Alaska, AF, KL, KE; CZ, AZ... ticket even when flying DL operated and coded flights. But i still read the unclear terms on the website differently to this info from the agent.
Well yeah - do you really expect the competition (AS, OK, SU, etc...) to share with Delta how much you paid for a ticket plated on their stock??
This is why its ok to have a revenue based system for WN, B6, stand alone carriers - within an alliance, a revenue system basically ruins the value of an alliance.
But you all are right.....I've got no shot at an upgrade today and there are 30 people below me on the list. Almost half the plane is elites and this is not a very elite route.
While the number of people on the list may decrease as a result of this change, I seriously doubt your chance of an upgrade will improve. With FCM, any available seats will still go to a DM on high fare.
While the number of people on the list may decrease as a result of this change, I seriously doubt your chance of an upgrade will improve. With FCM, any available seats will still go to a DM on high fare.
FCM has only resulted in approximately another 15% of seats purchased. BTW....I LOVE P fares.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rylan
+1 Those people don't understand that this is just the first part of more 'enhancements' coming. It'll affect them negatively as well.
That is my problem, too. I have several wild cards up my sleeve, such as easily meeting any spending requirement as well as being TXL-based. But the general direction is clear: every year we lose something of value and only get promises of something good in return.
I am at a tipping point, since I disvalue most of DM perks: I already have free bags, lounge access, priority boarding, etc built into most of my tickets. I value my time, so usually can only be found in a lounge when there is a problem with my trip. Since @DLAssist, I found them being so much more helpful and quicker.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yolo1966
Loving the whole "I'm more valuable then you" and the "new rules don't affect me, screw everyone else" attitude from some around here.
I beg to differ, the loudest religious business advocates participating here do not support a DMish travel pattern and strongly hope to gain an advantage -not by flying/spending more but by an anticipated thinning of ranks. For them, it's just fair because in their own little mindset they have been "screwed" by "cheap" DM's for sooo long.
__________________ DL '12 SEG'S 38 MQM 137000 CO|UA '12 EQM 2000 - Loyalty should go both ways but DL is trying the one way street on me.
No doubt that is true. It's easy to see. But, those business travelers aren't the valuable customers. The company footing the bill is the valuable customer. So the individuals shouldn't act entitled and superior. They are most likely replaceable. Iin Deltas eyes, the company will be buying those tickets whether its that specific employee or the one they hire to replace that person.
You seem to have no conception about how business travel works in 2013. Most corporate travelers personally decide which airline/flight and purchase the ticket themselves. Are you thinking that it's still 1975? The secretary doesn't call the travel agent anymore and provide a purchase order. I purchase my flights, using a corporate credit card, then go through a reimbursement process. If DL wants to influence the airline choice, DL needs to influence me. I handle my travel plans and fly any airline I want.
From DL's perspective, they can get about $$$k in revenue a year by influencing me to fly with DL. What would make anyone think they shouldn't try to influence me over someone who is only spending $k/year? It doesn't matter to DL whether that money is out of my pocket or the employer, it only matters that they get the money. Who is more valuable to DL? The person directing $$$k to them a year, or the person directing $k/year?
In addition, I would bet there are more of the higher revenue corporate frequent fliers out there than mom and pop shop and/or individual leisure frequent fliers. Which group would you go after? The bigger group who each direct more money into DL coffers or the smaller group who each direct less money into DL coffers?
Seriously, can you imagine the exodus from DL if they announced business travelers no longer get perks? That would be one expensive stampede.
