Delta SkyMiles Booking Changes
Mar 16, 2008, 11:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York/Moscow
Programs: Aeroflot Gold, DL Silver, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 243
Delta SkyMiles Booking Changes
Greetings,
I spoke a moment ago to a SkyMiles rep, and she told me that two changes started today in the SkyMiles booking process:
1. No more waitlists--"this should increase seat availability". Doubt that, and it is a disappointment that you can't book a convoluted routing and then HOPE that the waitlist on the direct route clears before your flight; and
2. SkyMiles awards booked over the phone or in person must be booked immediately; i.e., no 48 hour holds.--of course, many routings involving non-Delta metal cannot be booked online (i.e., Aeroflot, Air France, etc.)
Marc David Miller
[email protected]
I spoke a moment ago to a SkyMiles rep, and she told me that two changes started today in the SkyMiles booking process:
1. No more waitlists--"this should increase seat availability". Doubt that, and it is a disappointment that you can't book a convoluted routing and then HOPE that the waitlist on the direct route clears before your flight; and
2. SkyMiles awards booked over the phone or in person must be booked immediately; i.e., no 48 hour holds.--of course, many routings involving non-Delta metal cannot be booked online (i.e., Aeroflot, Air France, etc.)
Marc David Miller
[email protected]
Last edited by MaecDavidMiller; Mar 17, 2008 at 5:42 am Reason: updated #2
Mar 16, 2008, 11:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, LA, WN, SPG Plat, MR Gold
Posts: 730
Assuming this is true, I guess that means goodbye to the not paying $20 by redeeming online after an itinerary has been constructed over the phone.
Mar 17, 2008, 5:40 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York/Moscow
Programs: Aeroflot Gold, DL Silver, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 243
From Delta.com
New Hours for SkyMiles Reservations
Effective March 17, new Award Ticket reservations by non-Medallion members must be made between the hours of 8am and 10pm ET when calling 1-800-323-2323 for all U.S. and Canada locations.
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Changes to Booking Award Tickets
Starting March 17, immediate ticketing will be required to redeem Award Tickets at City Ticket Offices, the airport, or by calling Reservations. This is applicable to all flights originating in the continental United States, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alaska.
[of course, many scenarios involving non-Delta metal must be booked over the phone or in person]
New Hours for SkyMiles Reservations
Effective March 17, new Award Ticket reservations by non-Medallion members must be made between the hours of 8am and 10pm ET when calling 1-800-323-2323 for all U.S. and Canada locations.
Return to top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes to Booking Award Tickets
Starting March 17, immediate ticketing will be required to redeem Award Tickets at City Ticket Offices, the airport, or by calling Reservations. This is applicable to all flights originating in the continental United States, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alaska.
[of course, many scenarios involving non-Delta metal must be booked over the phone or in person]
Mar 17, 2008, 6:11 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cumming, GA
Posts: 123
So basically you will no longer be able to call at midnight if you need to do the 331 day booking with a partner that cannot be done online. I would understand this more if you could book anything online on either Delta metal and all partner metal.
Mar 17, 2008, 6:13 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Customer Care also changed from 7-7 seven days a week to 8-7 M-F.
I called and asked and the SMS person said this change to immediate ticketing means that this will effect people booking 331 days out. Now you'll have to wait until your dates are within range. I.e. you are traveling for 10 days you'll have to wait until 321 days out.
The current hold times remain for tickets booked on delta.com or that originate outside the U.S.
I called and asked and the SMS person said this change to immediate ticketing means that this will effect people booking 331 days out. Now you'll have to wait until your dates are within range. I.e. you are traveling for 10 days you'll have to wait until 321 days out.
The current hold times remain for tickets booked on delta.com or that originate outside the U.S.
Mar 17, 2008, 6:15 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,192
Ahh yes, another "improvement" to the skymiles system!
Mar 17, 2008, 6:18 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cumming, GA
Posts: 123
Customer Care also changed from 7-7 seven days a week to 8-7 M-F.
I called and asked and the SMS person said this change to immediate ticketing means that this will effect people booking 331 days out. Now you'll have to wait until your dates are within range. I.e. you are traveling for 10 days you'll have to wait until 321 days out.
The current hold times remain for tickets booked on delta.com or that originate outside the U.S.
I called and asked and the SMS person said this change to immediate ticketing means that this will effect people booking 331 days out. Now you'll have to wait until your dates are within range. I.e. you are traveling for 10 days you'll have to wait until 321 days out.
The current hold times remain for tickets booked on delta.com or that originate outside the U.S.
So now, you are saying no one will be able to book a ticket unless the entire trip is within the 331 day window.
Mar 17, 2008, 6:20 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 233
and what happens to those of us already on the waitlist??
Mar 17, 2008, 6:41 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
I would be curious to get more answers on that one. When they dropped from 14 days to the 2 day hold, you could still call 331 days out and ticket your outbound travel as one way. The reps knew what was going on and how to deal with it in the system. When you return date opened up, you just called back and they reticketed everything with the return portion and you were not charged the change fee.
So now, you are saying no one will be able to book a ticket unless the entire trip is within the 331 day window.
So now, you are saying no one will be able to book a ticket unless the entire trip is within the 331 day window.
And yes your entire trip has to be within the 331 day window.
Mar 17, 2008, 7:31 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
WOW! This is nearly pushing me over the edge to drop Delta. I mean seriously, what does DL gain by upsetting its best customers this way? I don't see how DL gains anything by changing this policy.
What on earth is the rationale for doing this? I can't see how it increases award availability.
I have several award wait lists (one international) and if DL follows through on this non-wait list policy then I'll take my business elsewhere.
I will be writing Delta a stern letter about this, as I'M REALLY PO'd about this. I find this policy worse than the new award structure or their skynever policy.
What on earth is the rationale for doing this? I can't see how it increases award availability.
I have several award wait lists (one international) and if DL follows through on this non-wait list policy then I'll take my business elsewhere.
I will be writing Delta a stern letter about this, as I'M REALLY PO'd about this. I find this policy worse than the new award structure or their skynever policy.
Last edited by yngdiego; Mar 17, 2008 at 7:47 am
Mar 17, 2008, 7:53 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Mar 17, 2008, 8:34 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
Very important!
Mar 17, 2008, 8:50 am
#13
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
Another "Enhancement". Gee, thanks delta.
Mar 17, 2008, 9:07 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
)[Edited: I misread the previous post; following paragraph is irrelevant.]
What? And how do they plan to adjudicate that? Either they waive fees for PMs, or they don't. If they do not repeal the fee waiver (which I can certainly see them doing, sadly), seems hard for them to enforce this, as it would require agents to rule on intent. Just call and book a one-way ticket 331 days out. Change it later.
Last edited by Erasmus; Mar 17, 2008 at 9:28 am