I don't know how true this is, but on my flight this morning from ORD to MSP the guy next to me said that Delta told him that with the new Choice Benefits, the option of gifting status is going away as well. So Diamonds won't be able to select the Global Upgrades and gift Gold to their wife, husband, parents, significant other, etc.... They could take bonus miles, or the luggage tags from Tiffany, etc......

If this is true, I am really kicking myself, as I was 4400 miles roughly from hitting Diamond this past year, figured I would roll over the 45,xxx miles and hit Diamond the first part of the year, and gift Gold to my GF to make it last longer. Then I felt like I kicked in the teeth by the Skyclub announcement, and now this if true will really make me sick of Delta.

I just love how they announce they want to thank their Million Milers on the flight, but they only reward them with status equivalent to carrying a credit card (for the most part).

I'll get off my soapbox.....