<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tolarian Wind
Who is the "we" and if the "we" truly is the team responsible, why would they get the answers to the program they created wrong?
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To clarify, these responses are the official word from Delta and are being developed by some of the people who worked on the project in an effort to provide timely feedback to Flyertalkers. We’ll do our best to answer relevant questions quickly and accurately through December 18, 2002.
In answering some of these questions, we may provide comparisons between old, new and other airline programs and it is possible to make an unintentional mistake (e.g. you can miss a specific rule). In order to turn-around responses quickly we are not putting them through the normal checks – so if we unintentionally make a mistake, we would appreciate it if you point it out and give us an opportunity to correct it. Thanks for your understanding.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave M:
There appears to be an unintentional glitch in the chart for upgrade changes. Effective May 1, the 800-MSUs disappear and are converted to 500-Mile upgrade Points, which, effective on that date, can be used for L, U and T fare upgrades. However, a footnote clearly states that “All Platinum Medallion Upgrade benefits and guidelines…. remain unchanged for 2003.” Thus, since PMs will not have 500-Mile Upgrade Points until January 1, 2004 and the current PM guidelines stay the same for all of 2003, apparently only GMs and SMs can upgrade L, U and T fares during the period from May 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. I can't believe that the intent is to give PMs a lesser benefit than GMs and SMs.Care to comment, Bruce?
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Platinum Medallion members will be able to upgrade from L, U and T fares from May 1, 2003 – plus they will continue to receive the highest priority in any upgrade queue, waitlist, etc
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave M:
Is it appropriate to assume that the Medallion Qualification Miles Calculation rules that apply to Delta also apply to the new low cost carrier replacing Delta Express, to Delta Shuttle, to Delta Connection, to Comair, etc. - with the same multipliers as for Delta? The Q&A for this section indicates that there is a new system for these carriers, but there is no reference to these carriers in the chart covering Delta and its partner airlines.
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The same multiplier will apply to all Delta affiliated carriers. We have no information at this time on what the frequent flyer offering will be for the new low cost carrier.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zrs70
Question: Is each segment upgrade still good for only each segment? Or can one upgrade be used for two segment that are in total under 500 miles (as the crow flies, or even add up)?
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No change to way it works today – each segment needs to be upgraded separately
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Just Passing Thru
Two questions: I assume that for SkyMiles purposes, each flight earns a minimum of 500 miles, before Medallion and other class-of-service bonuses are figured in. Is that correct? Is there any "floor" for Medallion Qualification Miles?
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For SkyMiles purposes there has been no change (except the increase in Business and BusinessElite class of service bonus to 50%). The existing minimum distance of 500 miles per segment remains unchanged in the way SkyMiles for Award Travel are calculated. The same minimum flown miles (500 miles per segment) also applies to Medallion Qualification Miles, but this is before the multiplier is applied so the effective ‘floor’ will be as follows:
· First, Business and BusinessElite: 1000 Medallion Qualification Miles
· Coach (Y, B or M fares): 750 Medallion Qualification Miles
· Discounted Coach (H, Q or K fares): 500 Medallion Qualification Miles
· Deeply discounted Coach (L, U or T fares): 250 Medallion Qualification Miles
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EchoVictor
Interesting point: It says members can now use 500 mile upgrade points on companions. Following, since PMs will have unlimited 500 mile upgrade points from May 1, 2003 until Dec. 31, 2003, doesn't that mean we can upgrade a companion an unlimited amount of times between those dates?
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Using 500-Mile Upgrade points for companions will not start until Jan. 1, 2004. You can continue to use your other upgrade certificates and upgrade mileage awards for companions in the intervening period.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by vasantn
Am I right in thinking that aside from the PMUs, the difference between PMs and GMs has become negligible?
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Other differences:
· Higher priority on waitlist, standbys, etc.
· Highest upgrade priority within each fare group – time of booking for Y, B and M is still a quite different from most of the US majors.
· Complimentary crown room access - plus our lounges continue to offer complimentary beverages. Delta is still unique among U.S. carriers in offering this benefit.
· Also the additional benefit levels for Platinum Medallion members at 125K and 150K – partner/companion Medallion status or carry-over Medallion Qualification Miles
· And as you mentioned the six Platinum Medallion Upgrades which are good for a one-way upgrade both on Domestic and International Delta flights
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rssrsvp
Unless I am mistaken, as long as I travel on anything but an insULT fare domestically, I will still be a GM when all is said and done as 99% of my travel last year was on upgradeable fares. Also correct me if I am wrong, but if I purchase a Y, B or M fare for international travel with the intention of upgrading it with my miles, I will receive 1.5 base (MQM's) miles for those trips. So I am actually gaining additional base miles for those trips over and above what I would be receiving currently. </font>
Yes. With the above travel pattern (upgradeable fares on both domestic and international flights) you will earn more Medallion Qualification Miles than the number of base miles you would have earned under the previous guidelines.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tomphot
For PM's, it says that on Jan 1, 2004 we will be given 20 500 mile upgrades and earn them at a rate of 4 per 10,000 miles. It doesn't say if we will be given 20 to start each year after 2004. Even so, if there are 100,000 miles flown, 40 more will be earned for a total of 60 - 500 mile upgrades. So for every 100,000 miles, a PM will only be able to upgrade 30,000 miles worth of flying during the year. Am I looking at this right?
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The one-time deposit of twenty 500-Mile Upgrade points is designed to give Platinum Medallion members an initial starting balance. It will be done only once on Jan 1, 2004 – it will not be repeated in subsequent years. The 40 will be good for up to 20,000 miles of upgrades. Then you add in the Platinum Medallion Upgrades – which are likely to be used on longer flights (trans continental and international) – so this could add even more miles of upgrades. If you want to upgrade more you have the option of purchasing additional 500-Mile Upgrade points or using mileage based upgrades. Also you continue to have the option to purchase Y fares that provide upgrades without the use of certificates/upgrade points and that are confirmed at the time of booking (Y-UP fares). Thus, it’s difficult to say what the exact number of miles Platinum members may be able to upgrade - it will depend on your individual travel patterns.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave M
Does this really mean that DL will (1)recalculate as MQMs the 2002 miles flown and (2) upgrade to Platinum in January 2003 someone who earned (e.g.) 97,000 base miles in 2002 under the 2002 program but 102,000 MQMs in 2002 under the 2003 MQM calculation rules?
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Yes. If you didn’t qualify for Platinum Medallion in 2002 under the existing qualification criteria, but would have under the new Medallion Qualification Miles guidelines, your status will be increased to Platinum Medallion in early 2003. The same applies to Gold and Silver Medallion status. This only impacts people moving up.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cordova
Delta has certainly picked a poor time to make changes. With that said, how does one find out the class of service for tickets already booked for next year. Since, they are already upgraded they show up as X and V fares-not on the chart. Secondly, how can one choose the Fare Class on the website? Presently it is all or nothing. Frequently, if a segment's upgrades are gone or otherwise not available, the website will not let you book an upgradeable fare. Lastly, am I correct in assuming that one will still earn miles at the current rates, it is just the qualifying that is changing?
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Good question on the fare classes – I think it should be on the receipt depending on how you upgraded. Short of this you can call the SMS line and they can tell you. On delta.com, the fare information is shown when viewing itineraries or purchasing tickets. In addition, Delta’s ticketing locations and agents and travel agents will be able to provide this information.
Current technology allows you to choose lowest available fare, upgradeable (K or higher), First, Business/BusinessElite or Y - we are working to allow a choice better aligned with the changes we have announced (First, BusinessElite, Coach, Discounted Coach and Deeply-discounted Coach).
Correct on earning and redeeming SkyMiles – all unchanged apart from the increase in the Business/BusinessElite cabin bonus (25% to 50%).
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Track
A PM who will be only a GM in 2003 gets the worst of both worlds in terms of upgrade coupons. As a PM he would of course have earned no MSUs in 2002 and on Dec. 31, 2002, all MSUs accumulated in 2001, assuming he was a GM or SM then, will expire. When qualifying as a GM in 2003, he will earn no MSUs (after Jan. 1, 2003 this benefit will be dropped) and will therefore have no MSUs to be converted to 500-mile segments on May 1, 2003. Since he is no longer a PM, he will also not get the 20 500-mile segments awarded to PMs on Jan. 1, 2004. A good idea would be to extend MSU-validity to May 1, 2003; otherwise everyone who flew enough to earn MSUs in 2002, except people in the situation noted above, would benefit; they would be the only ones left empty-handed.
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A customer in this situation will not be impacted by the program changes. Currently when a Platinum Medallion member drops to Gold Medallion status, they receive ten 800-MSUs in their account. On March 1, 2003 this will still be in place – so you will receive ten 800-MSUs. This situation and the credits we are talking about all apply under the current upgrade rules (i.e. this will happen for the last time on March 1, 2003).
These new Gold Medallion members will then be able to earn 800-MSUs at the current Gold Medallion rate of eight 800-MSUs per 10,000 flown miles between Mar 1 and May 1, 2003. On May 1, 2003 your 800-MSU balances will be converted to 500-Mile Upgrade points and the new earn rate for Gold Medallions will start (4 per 10,000 paid flown miles).
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by runningshoes
What are the plans to automate the upgrade system?
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We are working on this – please watch for future updates regarding enhancements to the upgrade confirmation process.