Good afternoon everyone,
Last year I moved from Flying Blue to Delta SkyMiles and switched carriers. I wanted to give the new Delta a chance even though the service on Air France in economy is far more superior than Delta. In a span of three months I have managed to fly 72,000 MQMs (that's right, three months). At this rate, I will end the year with 150,000 - 180,000 MQMs. While Platinum Medallion members (75k MQM threshold) get 6 upgrade certificates, Delta does not have ANY extra benefits for people who fly 150k MQMs a year. Is this true?? Why should I fly Delta any more than the 75k required to maintain Platinum. 90% of my travel is international, with a majority of it in Europe. I'm going back to Air France.
Please see below the e mail trail I have had with Delta SkyMiles... any comments and suggestions are welcome.
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Good afternoon Sir/Madam,
I am a Gold Medallion member with 72,418 MQMs year to date in my
account. As you can see from my account activity, these MQMs have been
earned in roughly a three month period. I already have an international
itinerary booked with Delta on June 29th which will definitely push me
over the 75,000 MQM threshold for Platinum Medallion. I understand that
once I am Platinum, I will get six systemwide upgrade certificates from
Delta.
However, with the amount of flying I am currently doing, I will easily
end the year with 150,000 - 180,000 MQMs. From what I understand, I do
not get any additional upgrade certificates from Delta. In essence, if I
fly 75,000 miles or if I fly twice that, I still get 6 international
upgrade certificates. To me, there is no added benefit to continue
flying Delta (I switched to Delta from Air France this year) in excess
of the 75,000 miles required to maintain Platinum status.
Is there any change in the Medallion program planned for the very few
like me who do indeed fly a considerable amount internationally in
excess of Platinum benefits? One suggestion would be to award two
additional certificates every 20,000 MQMs flown in excess of Platinum
threshold.
As a loyal Delta flyer who has come to like Delta in the past year, I am
requesting you make the change to the SkyMiles program or consider my
case as a one-off. I do fly Delta for the great service and the
fantastic people who work for you, but being in BusinessElite on a 10 hr
flight is a very compelling reason to continue flying Delta as well.
Thank you.
Best regards,
XXX
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Dear Mr. XXX,
Thank you for your e-mail to Delta Air Lines.
Upon Platinum Medallion qualification, members will receive 6
complimentary one-way Platinum Medallion Upgrade Certificates valid on
most Delta flights worldwide. For all the details about these upgrade
certificates, visit our website at the following link:
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_....jsp#medallion
While we would like to offer special consideration in cases such as
yours, we are unable to honor the many similar requests that we receive
from others in equally deserving situations. We follow a consistent
policy to ensure the integrity of the SkyMiles program, as well as be
fair everyone who accrues as many miles. Accordingly, we hope you
understand that we are unable to grant your request.
Nevertheless, we thank you very much for taking the time to offer us
your feedback. Delta is continually seeking ways to bring about
improvements and enhancements to our Elite SkyMiles members. Your
comments will help us identify and improve the programs you value most,
and will help shape the programs we develop in the future, for your
enjoyment.
Mr. XXX, thank you again for giving us an opportunity to respond to
your concern. We very much appreciate your Medallion loyalty to Delta
and look forward to the privilege of serving you again soon.
Sincerely,
Ms. Xxx Yyy
Medallion Desk
www.delta.com
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Dear Ms. Xxx Yyy,
It is quite unfortunate that Delta Air Lines does not have a process in place to reward its most loyal customers - those that are reaching out to you to compliment Delta Air Lines for their excellent job and service and to pledge their continued support to your airline. As you probably already know, Platinum medallion members generate a huge amount of revenue for the company as a whole. This is true with any loyalty program. I work for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, our frequent stay program, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) has won Freddie awards for 6 years in a row. Thinking about our most loyal customers and enticing them with continuous benefits we have managed to ensure a constant and substantial stream of revenue.
Frankly, I am quite disappointed that your reply is contrary to the 'can-do' attitude and a refreshing look at air travel that Delta Air Lines is pioneering. The explanation you have given me, which in my mind and any traveler who travels these many miles, comes down to the letter of the law and a policy which perhaps may be outdated or needs serious reconsideration if Delta Air Lines is to grow its revenues from loyal customers like us.
It is truly going to disappoint the customer service agents in Atlanta this morning who profusely thanked me for flying Delta as much as I do, as I walked off my flight from Buenos Aires. It is truly going to disappoint the flight attendants who worked so hard to make my flights so enjoyable and comfortable for the past 70,000 miles, that they may not enjoy my loyalty in the future. All that Ms. Yyy, down to a policy that does not incrementally reward your loyal customers who fly 75,000 miles or 150,000 miles.
While I thank you for your response, the explanation does not satisfy me and I am being forced to write to the office of Mr. Grinstein to ascertain his views and perhaps persuade him to reconsider. What you have here, is a serious Delta fan, saying, I want to fly you, just make it my worthwhile.
Thank you,
Best regards,
XXX
Comments?