Riddle Me This Bruce:

This is the SM that pointed out to you that, as a loyal Delta customer that primarily flies short haul flights within the state of Florida and who generally only buys K fares [i think i bought one u fare in the last 5 mos - could not check beyond that] i will nonetheless probably never even make silver again because i mostly fly around florida but that i am being kicked out of the elite program in spite of my loyalty and my years of k fares and the fact that i could easly spend more on a flight than someone who flies across country yet gets alot more miles. You very astutely responded that i can fly from orlando to fort lauderdale for just over $100 at a K fare. Bruce, that would be fine and dandy IF if flew that route once a week. You also picked the only city in florida that consistently has a cheap fare but you also failed to point out the reason - competition on that route with southwest. That also begs the question, why is the fare to MIA from MCO 200 to 300 dollars more - same plane, same distance really - but also same miles.

however, back to my dilemma - i generally fly mco to ft myers or pensacola - for over a year the fare to ft myers has consistently been $343. I just happen to see a post from someone else mentioning their normal routes, one including LGA - RSW - the fare noted was less than what I pay. SO, I checked a fare between LGA-RSW for a time when I in fact have to be in ft myers in february. My fare, again $343 - givimg me 1,000 at K fare. SURPRISINGLY, the fare between LGA-RSW was $200 at a Q fare [the same multiplier as K fare]. The possiblities are as follows:
LGA-ATL
ATL-RSW
RSW-CVG
CVG-LGA total qualifying miles 2,540

or
LGA-CVG
CVG-MCO
MCO-RSW
RSW-CVG
CVG-LGA total qualifying miles 3,104

[note that these particular flights were picked to accomodate when i would have to be there for business - i did not search around for the cheapest possible combo i could find]

so Bruce, i spend $343 and take up 2 seats on a total of 2 planes and fly 25 mins each way and i get a whopping 1,000 miles which means i have to fly 25 round trip short haul flights to make even SM

however, IF i were flying between NY and RSW, I could spend $200 and get either 2,540 miles or 3,104 miles, take up space on 4 or 5 planes [oh yes and these were upgradeable fares] and alot of time on those planes

- assuming i opted for the flight that gave me the 2,450 miles - that person would be platinum at less cost than it would take me to even make silver

So again Bruce, explain how the 'new and improved' system works to reward those who spend the most at Delta?

I did get another email from Delta yesterday - the silliest response yet - when I pointed out to them for the second time the problem they created for short haul flyers:

Please know that we have been studying the Medallion qualification and
upgrade processes for some time, and that customer loyalty and fiscally
sound operations are more important than ever in todays airline
environment. After careful analysis of the possible outcomes and
opportunities, we feel confident that the new program guidelines will
foster a better and more sustainable loyalty program for our members
and our airline over time. They are designed to identify our best
customers and reward them with a quicker path to Medallion status.
And, the changes will help Delta receive more value for the limited
premium cabin seats that are so very much in demand.

Your business is important to Delta, and we hope that you will consider
transitioning with us to this new program. As we have stated earlier,
most customers can maintain their existing Medallion status by making
some minor adjustments, such as purchasing some higher fare classes,
consolidating more travel with us or choosing more long-haul trips.


Hmm, let's see, I ALREADY PURCHASE THE HIGHEST FARE AVAILABLE so I can't change that. I ALREADY FLY EXCLUSIVELY with Delta, so I can't change that. Oh, it must be the last one where I screwed up - I suppose from now on I must start flying to ft myers via utah. But oh wait - wasn't that one of delta's reasons for getting rid of the segment qualifications - to keep people from taking longer and cheaper connecting flights to make status???

Bruse, please advise your superiors that most people who fly for business are not stupid. Like I said before, I fly Delta even when I don't really need to - I could have driven to most places I go for business but I don't - or make that didn't.