Fly: In Pain

Dec. 17 -ATLANTA (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines, Inc. today anncounced further cost cutting measures in an effort to tick off as many medallion passengers as possible.

Vicki Escarra, Vice President of Marketing, announced today the discontinuation of award travel. Delta customers will no longer be able to use their SkyMiles for free travel on Delta, Delta Connection, or any of Delta's SkyMiles partners.

"This is an enhancement that I'm sure a lot of medallion members will be pleased with. The greater flexibility to transfer miles to other points programs, such has Hilton HHonors, is something that medallion members have been asking for."

Delta Chairman and CEO Leo Mullin could not be reached for comment, but did release a statement where he said "Now we know that everyone on a Delta aircraft has compensated us in some way for their travel. This will increase yields significantly."

[This message has been edited by mspman (edited 12-17-2001).]