Originally Posted by
Robert Leach
9. Even if we assume that there will be abundant "Low" seats during the last 72 hours, and as a result everyone changes his/her practice and starts looking for award seats 72 hours before one wants to depart rather than months in advance, it still doesn't solve the problem of the return flight. It looks like the new paradigm will be to get the "Low" level for the outbound flight and be consigned to the "Medium" or "High" level for the return, since the low inventory won't open up for the return until 72 hours out. The only way around this would be if one-way awards were offered.
Please everyone remember that there are 4 reasons, stated specifically at a Delta planning meeting almost 18 months ago by two very senior executives, as to why Delta will not allow one way awards. This should put all 100+ pages of this thread into perspective:
1.) When one way awards are allowed, such as with WN, it simplifies the award booking algorithm to such a degree that "we would then not be able to manipulate the flights offered and the redemption mileage levels required based upon the member's past pattern of desired flight patterns tied to the SM number". In simple terms, one way awards would solve 100% of the award booking fraud that is purposefully practiced by Delta.
2.) "Our preferred practice of not offering 'low' roundtrip redemption levels would not be possible".
3.) "We lose all of our ability to mislead SM members through sleight of hand".
4.) "Because our mileage redemption requirements have no connection to seat availability or ticket price, doing so would encourage our members to utilize a 'low' mileage redemption combined with a low fare on a given roundtrip, and our desired price supports would be destroyed in the common case where miles could be used for the more expensive segment and cash could be used for the less expensive segment."
Just so y'all know that these people really are unsmart, unethical and not connected withn their marketplace.
Please also remember that under law Delta does not own your miles. You do. And there have been well over 300 cases where forfeited miles under conditions such as Delta is now attempting to impose have been reinstated. If your miles are not re-deposited after you cancel a flight, send Anderson one letter demanding reinstatement. Then utilize his delegate's mindless response in your filing with Delaware Small Claims Court (VERRRRRY easy to do), and also notify DOT, and I can promise you that all miles will be back in your SM account within 5 weeks.
Since Delta is ignoring us, it is best that we all ignore Delta's unethical practices and facially illegal rules.