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FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Jul 14, 2015, 4:38 pm by ZorakSummary of SkyMiles Upgrade Changes
Effective Aug 1, 2015, DM's on paid fares and no companions will no longer receive complimentary upgrades JFK-LAX/SFO. Delta's reps failed to disclose this in their June 14 announcement.
For travel on or after June 1, 2016, additional fare classes are eligible for SkyMiles upgrades:
Within North American and northern South America, L/U/T fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M/H/Q/K)
For all other markets, H/Q/K fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M)
SkyMiles Upgrade Awards will also require more miles. Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents: (Pricing is one-way)
(current chart based on observations has been moved to this thread: Upgrading with miles)
#286
Oct 25, 2015Quote:
I think it depends. I personally know a few folks who matched over to DL from AA and as soon as they saw how few miles they were earning under Delta's program jumped on to AA (like after the second flight). IMO AA is the only other option right now and for the FF miles with basically the same service level (if you book the right AC/routes) it is a clear winner for me. When they change I will reassess but for now I am earning and redeeming miles just like the old days on DL/NW. Just looked at FC LAX-BOS for next month and almost every day has 25K availability (low).Originally Posted by krlcomm
Unfortunately for everyone that leaves others come on board. I was one of the subjects of a WSJ article a few years back (WSJ misspelled my last name, lol) where a DL spokesperson actually is on record stating such. It's pitiful but it's the truth, airlines can get away with this when biz travel is up and demand is high like it is now.
#287
Quote:
I am with you. I think we should start a new sticky on the delta forum for people who need advice on how to leave delta. It will be a first for FT. How to move your loyalty to another airline. Originally Posted by javabytes
What I'm doing isn't relevant to this thread. But if you must know, the camel's back was broken late last year. I ran to Diamond instead of ending the year at Platinum specifically so I could status match to AA EXP in Q3 of this year after passing the date where the status is good until 2017. I'm finally reaching my endgame just as DL is finally reaching theirs.
I'm done with delta.
#288
TodayQuote:
I think this is a great idea. ^^Originally Posted by Esltroy
I think we should start a new sticky on the delta forum for people who need advice on how to leave delta. It will be a first for FT. How to move your loyalty to another airline.
I am nothing more than a 150k MQM/year Delta MR'er.
I am thinking about moving to AA to earn a bunch of RDMs.
#289
i2ad10head , Jul 19, 2015 5:23 pm
How do we status match to AA? I am lucky to live in LA where I have plenty of choices...
#290
Quote:
AA doesn't do status matches but they will do status challenges for AA GLD and AA PLAT (I don't think AA does EXP challenges). Originally Posted by i2ad10head
How do we status match to AA? I am lucky to live in LA where I have plenty of choices...
Depending on what you value out of an elite program, you could also consider AS and credit any AA or DL flights (at least until AS and DL finally settle the divorce) you take to AS.
#291
Quote:
I think you misunderstand. Nobody is necessarily "leaving", but adapting to the new circumstances.Originally Posted by krlcomm
Unfortunately for everyone that leaves others come on board. I was one of the subjects of a WSJ article a few years back (WSJ misspelled my last name, lol) where a DL spokesperson actually is on record stating such. It's pitiful but it's the truth, airlines can get away with this when biz travel is up and demand is high like it is now.
I will still like to fly Delta, but won't credit to Skymiles or use the AMEX credit card. And I am sure, AMEX will NOT get new clients for the ones they are losing. Don't forget: credit card land is not nearly as oligarchic as the airline industry. There are just too many good credit card options out there as replacement for AMEX DL.
#292
Quote:
Depending on what you value out of an elite program, you could also consider AS and credit any AA or DL flights (at least until AS and DL finally settle the divorce) you take to AS.
Yes, AA does EXP challenges. Not all the time, but they do.Originally Posted by ATOBTTR
AA doesn't do status matches but they will do status challenges for AA GLD and AA PLAT (I don't think AA does EXP challenges). Depending on what you value out of an elite program, you could also consider AS and credit any AA or DL flights (at least until AS and DL finally settle the divorce) you take to AS.
#293
Quote:
We were comparing credit card options, not discussing if you should fly Delta or not.
The simple math is that if 1 Skymile < $0.01, a 2% cash back card is more valuable compared to AMEX Delta.
Perhaps you were comparing CCs. I was not. Nor is the majority of this thread.Originally Posted by Dieuwer
So what.We were comparing credit card options, not discussing if you should fly Delta or not.
The simple math is that if 1 Skymile < $0.01, a 2% cash back card is more valuable compared to AMEX Delta.
#295
Quote:
I'm increasingly going free agent. This YTD, only 13/28 segments have been on DL. Sometimes they're the best option, more often they're not.Originally Posted by Dieuwer
What is weird is that people complain incessantly on this board, but in the end do nothing about it.
#296
Quote:
For example, I searched two passengers between LAX and SYD in business class on the DL non-stop. All dates booked into OK (Peak) but the pricing more than doubled on the same flights if you originated your travel in SYD instead of LAX.
LAX-SYD one-way: 175k
SYD-LAX one-way: 375k
LAX-SYD-LAX round trip: 350k
SYD-LAX-SYD round trip: 750k
...
This same pattern is seen for other markets too. For example, ATL-CDG. Peak pricing if you originate in ATL is 147,500 one way or each way of your round trip. The same flights are 375,000 one way or each way of a round trip if you originate in CDG.
Did some more searching on this. The international origination "penalty" seems to be in effect for trips originating in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Southwest Pacific. Not sure about Asia - couldn't find a route that had only peak seats available. It does not seem to be in effect for trips originating in the Caribbean or South America. It seems to affect the pricing of peak travel only - the other tiers seem to remain as before.Originally Posted by javabytes
The effects of dynamic pricing can now clearly be seen in the award booking process. Importantly, your origin now seems to impact your pricing.For example, I searched two passengers between LAX and SYD in business class on the DL non-stop. All dates booked into OK (Peak) but the pricing more than doubled on the same flights if you originated your travel in SYD instead of LAX.
LAX-SYD one-way: 175k
SYD-LAX one-way: 375k
LAX-SYD-LAX round trip: 350k
SYD-LAX-SYD round trip: 750k
...
This same pattern is seen for other markets too. For example, ATL-CDG. Peak pricing if you originate in ATL is 147,500 one way or each way of your round trip. The same flights are 375,000 one way or each way of a round trip if you originate in CDG.
#297
Quote:
Ok. My casual review of the 300ish posts in this thread as well as as second look at the post by wschild I originally quoted indicates, to me, that my original statement and most of this thread about new redemption amounts, RUCs, and upgrades was not centered around the Amex CCs. Originally Posted by Dieuwer
Speak for yourself.
I was making a point about the relative value of RDMs as a rebate on DL airfare (regardless of payment method) vs. a standard 1% or 2% cash back program.
I apologize that my lack of absolute clarity on what I was talking about allowed others to derail that point.
#298
TrojanTraveler , Jul 20, 2015 11:40 am
They have begun to process RUCs on the transcons.
I received a voicemail and then an email that confirmed my RUC upgrade LAX-JFK in early August. I was surprised as the seat map in D1 was over half full (yes I know that it's not always indicative, but still).
Called and confirmed that they will continue to process complimentary upgrades for DMs through July 31.
I received a voicemail and then an email that confirmed my RUC upgrade LAX-JFK in early August. I was surprised as the seat map in D1 was over half full (yes I know that it's not always indicative, but still).
Called and confirmed that they will continue to process complimentary upgrades for DMs through July 31.
#299
Well, I have 1.3 + million skymiles (sky feet?) in my account. No way I'll use them before next summer. Good news is I retire end of August, and will have flexibility to book based on best availability vice when I can get time off.
Why do I have such a balance? I couldn't make myself book at the exorbitantly high redemption rates.
Why do I have such a balance? I couldn't make myself book at the exorbitantly high redemption rates.
#300
Anyone notice that the current pricing levels for upgrade awards isn't on the website any more either? I thought the current upgrade mileage amounts used to be listed... or did I just miss when it get pulled some time ago?