Yoo hoo Michelle....and DL SM, hodiho Jeff R., I know you're there in the basement at ATL.

OK, so here's the statement, with translation in [ parentheses ]

-----------------------

Updated: Award Redeposit and Reissue Rule Change
Late last month, I posted information about recent changes to our Award redeposit policy. The changes were made after we reviewed the number of award seats that were going out empty and the number was large – massive, in fact. So we made some adjustments to help address the situation and increase award availability.

[This is what Jeff R. said two years ago for the PM change fee waiver. Hope nobody calls us on that...aargh, we forgot about the nightmare RTS guy, get him offline, can't you FT mods? And what about buc?]

[And what michelleSM thinks: Boy, I'd love to work for Scott and his organization over at UA, who have a reputation for telling it straight, in good time, and listening to their elites. But I'm stuck here in ATL as a corporate mouthpiece for Jeff R. I know this isn't good or right but I gotta do it...OK, onwards...]

In response to that post, more than half a dozen FT members asked if we were looking at making changes to the policy for any time prior to departure.

[Half-a-dozen thousand, more likely]

In fact, we were. During that review we determined that there are more than 1,000,000 award seats that were going unused at the 72 hour mark prior to departure.

[Bwahahah! How I can state this "data" with solemnity, a straight online face, who can know? Hey maybe I should audition to replace Tina Fey when this gig falls through]

That is 3 days in which those seats could otherwise be sold or used for other SkyMiles members who truly intend to sit in the seat and travel.

[That's chutzpah! I know nobody now believes any of those awards would otherwise "be used for SM members who truly intend to sit in the seat".... no, but hey, Jeff told us we need to raise the mean SM/domestic redemption number to between 45 and 50k a pop, slowly reducing the huge backlog of liability to AmEx. We're at 38.8k right now.]

As a result, we’re updating this policy once more. [Got to find that extra 30%, that's how I get evaluated] So, effective August 15, 2011, SkyMiles members who wish to cancel or make changes to their award ticket now need to do so at least 72 hours before their flight departure (for changes, this applies to each flight segment – outbound and return). This change will make those seats available to other members and ultimately increase award availability.

[Bwahahaha!!! ]

Miles for tickets cancelled within 72 hours will be nonrefundable. Taxes and fees for award travel cancelled within 72 hours will be refundable upon request. Same-day standby options will remain.

For changes or cancellations made at least 72 hours prior to departure, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will continue to receive reissue and redeposit fee waivers. Reissue and redeposit fees will continue to apply for other members.

[This is so uncompetitive with every OAL. But Jeff knows that]

We will be sending out an email to customers with advance award travel booked later today – delta.com is being updated with this information as well.

[Ah! Just made it on time! At least this time our pants are still kind of hanging on, we posted here before emailing the SM Medallion idiots en masse]

Because it was a trending theme in last month’s thread, let’s address another issue head-on. We understand that extenuating circumstances do happen and our agents are equipped to review those situations on a case-by-case basis to determine if an exception is warranted. (Just do us a favor and try to make sure it’s not the 8th time your great uncle has passed away.)

Candidly, we expect that this change may be unpopular with some – and we will hear all of your concerns related to it – so we are communicating this early and will be sending a variety of communications to customers later today. [BONG! Fasten your seat belts! Cabin crew, discontinue service and take your seats immediately!]

When program changes occur, we want our members to be aware of them so that they can adapt accordingly.

[Be fleeced out of more SM, we hope]

Now let’s start the conversation. I’m gathering your comments and bringing them all back to the team…

Michelle, SkyMiles | Delta Social Ambassador
Connect with us at Twitter.com/Delta & Facebook.com/Delta

[Heh! Thank goodness that no "conversation" is possible through these highly modulated channels that insulate us from the opinions of the SMM. All DL social media comms are as one-way as possible

But, wait, Jeff, didn't you work once for AA? Weren't you one of the architects of the class-leading EXP program? It can't be that you don't know how to design and deliver a program with real benefits. So, what happened here at DL? O, I get it, the Borg at ATL won't permit discussion of such quality programs.

And what's this, Mr. Robertson? A guide sheet for releases for next week? I need to "announce" these too! Oh my!!!

Monday: no upgrades on LUT fares, effective immediately
Tuesday: 0.5 MQM on LUT. Didn't we try to do that before?
Wednesday: PMUs only valid on Y fare classes
Thursday: elimination of bag fee waivers for FO.
Friday: GM/PM mileage bonus reduction to 50%
Saturday: introduction of Osmium Medallion level. What? Why this? Well, the unremitting blast of negativity needs a counter at least once a week.

We have three apologists who will be able to use this fact to claim that SM is awesome. Maybe even

:-: best in class :-:

But Jeff, there's one problem. You forgot, we have SM too.

We may work here but I've just matched to AA Plat. C U L8R big boy! ]