Originally Posted by
atldlff
OK... I think I am beginning to understand why you are confused here. First of all you have to realize that 2010 is a unique year. The program is new, and it won't be implemented on March 1st.
Says who? You keep saying all this, but you've got no information from a reliable source that says it's anything other than your personal guess.
"Those who earn at least 125,000 MQMs in 2009 will be recognized as Diamonds as soon as the program begins in spring 2010. "
Now I realize that this DOES require some interpretation. Spring 2010, doesn't officially start until March 20th, 2010. Spring officially ends June 21st, 2010. Therefore, the Diamond program will start somewhere in between those two dates.
*IF* you assume that SkyMilesInsider is using a definition of spring that is based on the time between the sun being at equinox and solstice. It could very well be that SkyMilesInsider means spring as in "when it's getting warmer". Most people consider June 21st to be well into summer, which for most people (in the US anyway) is about Memorial Day to Labor Day. And I think DL would have a pretty hard time if DM benefits didn't roll out until after Memorial Day and they attempted to argue that it was still spring.
Hell, even a gopher has a say on when spring is +/- 6 weeks.
The simple reason there is not an exact date is that the have to finalize all of the full IT implementation of the program.
I agree that DL is unwilling to predict the precise date of availability for some benefits. But I also strongly suspect that if there is any way DL can not give a 3rd set of Choice Benefits to DMs, they will find a way to do so.
Based on that post, as well as information shown on Delta.com, and the fact that the program cannot start before March 20th at the earliest, I believe my statement is correct.
That's not a fact, that's a GUESS.
you CAN NOT start 2010 as a DM - FULL STOP.
With all due respect, I don't think I am interpreting anything. I am just stating the facts based on what is presented.
With all due respect, you're guessing. You've decided what you want to think, and you're interpreting everything in the light that leads to the conclusion you've already made.
If we got the post below from Delta, would that answer it for you?:
If you fly 125,000 MQMs in 2009 - You will first be awarded Platinum status in February in 2010 and be able to choose one choice benefit. Once the Diamond program is implemented in the Spring of 2010, you will be awarded Diamond status and be able to choose two additional choice benefits for a total of three Choice Benefits in 2010. The DM choice benefit selections (do or do not) have to be unique.
That would be one acceptable answer.
Frankly, I'm surprised they didn't just say "One PM benefit when you make PM. One more choice when you make DM. Two DM choices when you start the program year at DM."
That would thus make an INCENTIVE to start the program year at DM instead of a DISincentive.
OR, DL could have made DM 100k, but only provided one DM benefit with a 'bonus' benefit at 125k. Upgrade queue would probably work out better (esp. if 125k was given even higher priority), but think of all the award change fees DL would lose out on! (Solve the rollover MQM problem though.)
But DL's FF program folks don't seem to do a good job of thinking through all the behavior consequences of their program choices.