Originally Posted by
atldlff
From my personal point of view, I think the new program is actually a good program. I like the rollover feature and I think it is very smart for Delta to create this. I also like that the left in place many of the current program features that put them at or above your competition - 500 min. miles, unlimited domestic upgrades, adding new features - future companion upgrades, SC access, elimination of fees, etc. Yes, I miss the free SC membership that was once available to Platinum’s, the original SWU that were once in place that could be used on almost any flight, and a host of other things, but I look at where I am today as a PM, and I think the new program is an improvement.
I have also carefully read through the feedback in this thread. It is very clear that the predominate message is that the #1 expectation that wasn’t fulfilled with the new program is the use of SWU for international flights at lower fares. In fact, if this request outnumbers all other feedback by almost 300%. So I think that message is clear. I would agree with this, particularly when traveling on my own dime. I would like to have a least one or two international flights that can be upgraded from a lower fare. I do think kudos should be given for the day of departure utilization of the SWU, which has long been a very “broken” issue, so I am glad to see this addressed. Now with all the said, I personally think the new program is better than where we were before the announcement. Could it provide even more benefits? Of course the answer is yes, but I know there were trade-offs, and I feel comfortable they do a good job of assessing those trade-offs putting together a good program. What if we lost some of the unlimited domestic upgrades to "fund" wider use of the SWU on lower fares?!? - I suggest that would no doubt, cause a big mutiny.
No doubt, they will be reading the feedback, and it is possible that they will re-evaluate the SWU at some point in the future and act on that feedback. I also feel confident that they did a pretty detailed analysis of what it would cost to lower the fares that the SWUs applied to, as well as trying to win that battle with Revenue Management over getting broader access the coveted International BE seats.
We agree much more than we disagree on the new Medallion Program for 2010. I think the groundswell of disappointment regarding the absence of a "true" SWU instrument is because it really is the only gaping hole in the program. Sure, there are other things I would have liked to have seen in a Premier elite class program that weren't delivered, and I certainly think that DL did a great job with many other program benefits, but this is the one area where DL really missed the mark. No matter how nice the new car is, it won't be well received if it is delivered with the front windshield missing.
I really didn't expect any unrestricted SWUs at 75k because that simply isn't competitive. It would have been nice, I certainly would have used them, but it wasn't wholly realistic at that level. That is the reason there were less complaints about getting 6 PMUs that are more or less worthless to 80% of us. However, at 125k, I think reasonable people expected at least a few true SWUs as that is what is being deliverd to elites from other a/ls in some shape or another at 100k and that is what was provided in past years and this year to NW PEs who reached 120k.
If DL is going to create a super premium elite class, I think it deserves super premium benefits. I think that was delivered for the most part, with one huge and unacceptable exception.