This is big. I will clear the year at ~200k MQMs, so I am now considering a match and switch. I am not a fan of EWR but I will be DM next year, could keep it with a few INT flights, and could then devote to CO if DL doesn't respond by March.

Sweet! Ironically the rollovers make this approach much easier...

Good luck! I won't be holding my breath for you though. DL has proven that they do not keep any promise. They will probably double the number of miles you need for an award beyond what the choice awards are! LOL
I pretty much did the same, though so far I have not had to purchase a single ticket where DL was cheaper.
Very ironic indeed! I may ask for a CO match and keep both AA Exp and CO Plat as I like to have all the eVIPs of AA and make use of my *A card to get access to the domestic lounge. And CO's lounges are great!

PS: In DEN, DL has closed the CRC but AA has a AC and CO has a PC.

Hmmm, let's see, 737's or CRJ-200's - what would you choose??? I may be 3rd in line on the UA flights, but that's still better than no chance on a bunch of barbie jets, which is all DL flies any more.

Congrats on flying over 200k MQM's on DL, not sure how you do it. Good luck trying to use those valuable miles.

I think I'll take my chances with * and have 4 different airline choices in North America versus 1 substandard choice with SkyTeam. Thanks for staying with DL though, the party's getting full over here anyway :p

I am thinking that I will get the statu match next year and move my flying to CO. Most of my flying is international, so this is a no brainer...

So I am already cleared as a PM on CO for next year. I have also recently booked award travel to Europe for family members (prior to having status) this summer. I am talking on CO's web site, at 55K miles RT, on the dates I wanted, with multiple options regarding flights/connections. Wow that was easy. So as I plan travel for next year, here are my thoughts.

Now if I could rack enough MQMs to make DM, about the only issue I would have with DL would be:

No low fare SWUs
Award Availability
Web Site

That said, if my business paid for TATL YBM (which at current M fares it does not), DL DMs would have up to 10 PMUs in a year which isn't too shabby especially with the easing up on day of departure usage.

That said, DL is missing the boat on the non-DM PM and that's me. Here I think they are making a grave mistake. After all, why bother creating incentives for GMs and FOs while pissing all over non-DM PMs. Yes, I might clear 100K but doubt I can hit 125K MQM. If I stay with DL this means in addition to the list of shortfalls for DMs:

Paying for changes to award travel - This is a bigger issue for me than DL realizes
Second tier status for upgrades
No real valuable PM option (this is a big one since I am getting less PMUs which I can't use and now have to pay for award changes/redeposits which are more common due to poor award inventory)

About the only benefit of staying with DL is a better chance at upgrades out of NY (less elite heavy).

If I switch to CO, I would be equally tiered with top elites for the next year. If I reach 100K and gain 4 usable SWUs - that would be great. No redeposit fees not that I think I would need to worry about them as inventory seems significantly better at low award levels (this now from experience).

As for upgrades out of EWR, this will require a little research as I don't fly LUT even on DL (to help ensure a better chance at the gate lottery). If CO M fares are reasonable and auto-upgrade into F, then this might be offset.

What are other non-DM PMs thinking.

Not in November. I was right there and saw them try and reboot over and over again and it *was* Win 95. A bunch of folks were talking about this including the FA's. I was kidding about the fly-by-wire. In any case, the A-330 AVOD in BE was not working :-). Oh yea, the little tux penguin was on the AVOD itself at first, the main computer area to right, in the front starboard side next to the galley is where they were booting and rebooting and it was, as noted, Win 95 which then appeared on the AVOD too. They were able to boot up some seats individually and when they tried it with me it was all Win 95 on the AVOD and the main system on the wall.

Yes, unfortunately for YYZ it seems you can only find a RJ, it is the same with AA, but take a look at CO options within the U.S. and there are far more RJ's than I care for.

I don't fault anyone for making the move, I just find it entertaining that they are jumping up and down like they won the lottery here, I believe when the recipricol upgrades kick in with UA they will be the ones moaning and groaning on the OnePass forums about not being able to get upgrades.

It's all relative, but for me, the reasons to switch to CO are not attractive enough. I have done this in the past, grass greener thinking and switched to AA from NW about 5 years ago, only to come back within a year. It is easy to find faults to ANY airlines FFP and/or service.

Yes I am an ex-NW but I am not going to whine that DL ruined my FFP, that is not to say I won't miss some of the perks that went away :(

Because delta was dating CO and then they left us for *A:eek:
Seriously, I don't think DL will be the only one not to match. But the better do it soon, before everyone is gone.

DL has said availability DM will be better than PM. Sounds like EXP is noticeably better. DL please take note!

Well said.

You are probably right, but I don't think they have said SWU will have to be used with M+ tickets at the gate. Hopefully they will be on any fare at the gate. Maybe CO's changes will help this.

This was my number one reason I went for PM. Changing this mid year was not right. Yes, they were allowed to, but it doesn't make it right.

This non-DM PM (114K this year) is thinking United. And actually doing it. Buh bye DL.

Unemployment must pay better than I thought. :D

+1 for the UA board.

Not a "whine", just a simple fact in so many ways. The deterioration of the last 12 months is all but incredible. I never imagined that they would strive so hard to alienate their newly acquired population of high-mileage fliers.

Actually they have. Below is what Jeff said:

The problem with DL is that the bean counters think that if they make life miserable enough for budget constrained FFs, they will suddenly decide to shell out thousands of extra dollars for full fare C or Y. In reality, what happens is that FFs stay home or take their business elsewhere.

I would be willing to bet that CO has a larger percentage of RJ's than Delta.