Originally Posted by SPIT
Just spoke with multiple people at the MVP(G) desk today... our fears have been confirmed. They received a memo today stating that indeed L, U, and T Delta fares would only earn 50% EQM's (or Alliance miles using AS speak).
This is disappointing news.
I pushed and pushed as to why AS would allow Delta's wacky MQM system to affect how AS rewards its MVP qualification program, and finally got a reasonable answer: "As part of negotiations, Delta required the AS plan match Delta's plan when dealing with elite status. It is Delta's fear that their own members would switch to Alaska's MP plan if it offered superior elite status qualification for cheaper Delta fares."
Makes sense I guess... but doesn't give us incentive to fly DL over AA / NW unless we need that direct flight to SLC or ATL.
As a side note, they still had no additional information on priority seating or boarding.
i agree -- no sense to fly delta unles you arent purchasing a LUT fare or if you need to go non-stop to ATL/SLC/CVG.
i think their response was quite interesting -- NW also had the 50% on these LUT fares towards elite status, but they have abandoned that and now offer 100% EQM on all fares. so is DL no longer afraid everyone is going to leave DL for NW -- or has everyone already flocked away? i find it hard to believe that the loyal DL flyers are going to abandon DL -- the basically eliminates the unlimited FC upgrades on DL for those members.
another interesting note is that when i emailed DL recently to get a Skymiles issue resolved for my brother, the exact quote from the corporate office is that each airline develops their own frequently flyer program and guidelines. but according to AS, they have been pressured by DL (and that is obvious because there is no reason AS would want to get into this whacky 50% EQM thing)
it is nice to have another partner to redeem miles on (like CO). i never fly CO on a paid ticket, but have redeemed before. the AS mileage plan is still tops, and this new partner gives more flexibility, it just wont be a mileage earner in my book.