<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SRQ Guy:
While DL's policy does gall some of it's frequent flyers, I don't think it led to the mass exodus of Medallions that was predicted. </font>
Based on a research group of 1 (me):
1997 DL PM; UA 1K
1998 DL PM; UA 1K
1999 DL PM; UA 1K
Implementation of No L Upgrades on DL
2000 DL GM (0 flights); UA 1K
2001 DL SM (0 flights); UA 1K
2002 DL __ (0 flights); UA 1K
Maybe I'm the only one not willing to buy a DL K fare at double the L fare just to gamble on the possibility of an upgrade. Many times since 1/1/2000, it was less expensive to buy the UA V, W or T fare and then pay for the 500-mile upgrade certs than it would have been to pay a DL K fare and gamble on getting a PM comp upgrade.
I have enough miles banked with DL and UA to cover my Hawaii and international travel for the next 10 years, so if UA pulls the same trick on V, W and T fares, my 1K will go the way of my PM and I'll wind up with a bundle of Rapid Rewards credits and a free WN companion ticket.
Air travel in the USA is a commodity, so my loyalty and out-of-pocket dollars (I pay for all of my tickets) go to whichever company is willing to give me the most for the least.
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Biggest Little 1K (in The Biggest Little City) In The World