Delta is not on par with any of the other programs. There were trade-offs:
Can't upgrade cheapest fares.
Can't upgrade all but the most expensive fares internationally.
Can't upgrade companions without using miles, and then it's only possible on the most expensive fares.
Except for Platinum members, elites cannot upgrade at the time of purchase without using miles or a SWU (see vanishing perqs, below) or a NAMU (see "play perqs", below). If a non-Platinum purchases an upgradable fare, there is no guarantee of an upgrade and the difference between the upgradable fare and a non-upgradable fare (often hundreds of $$$) is not refunded. So, you pay to play the upgrade lottery on Delta.
Extremely stupid and irritating "Simply Good Business" policy - No waivers and no favors for elite members. All Delta employees are required to follow the rules like mindless automatons, no matter how bad the customer has been affected by circumstances beyond his/her control.
These were offset by elites being given System Wide Upgrades (SWUs). Now those are gone - Platinum members get 6 similar upgrades that are transferrable to a traveling companion on the same itinerary (they would have received 10). Gold and Silvers get screwed. They receive upgrade certificates (NAMU) good only in North America (yippee) and receive fewer, if any per year, depending upon how many miles they fly. The only benefit is that if one is so fortunate to obtain such a certificate, they may upgrade one (1) companion who is traveling with them, subject to capacity controls and provided they are flying on an expensive enough ticket (see detriments, above). Additionally the clock for earning both these NAMUs resets each calendar year, as opposed to the mileage for SWU accumulation rolling over every year, guaranteeing that Delta will have to dole out even fewer of these watered-down upgrades. All the other annoyances are still in place, except now there are 2 non-upgradable-under-any-circumstances-it's-simply-good-business-get-to-the-back-scum fares. Wow, thanks Delta.
Originally posted by BizJet:
Delta FF's are bad that they are losing systemwide upgrades, but, on the other hand, Delta is just being brought into line in this matter with other airlines (I am NOT defending Delta and realize that there are other factors that make Delta a bad program).
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"Sire, it is not a revolt. It is a Revolution!"
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 01-14-2001).]