This really makes me consider switching to Continental.

As for SWUs, it's hard to say this doesn't put some real pressure on DL- the last of the major US carriers without some cheap and useful upgrade instruments for 100k+ flyers. But DL seems set in its ways, much as it ignored the 2xEQM promos for Q4 I'm guessing they will think rollover and other features they have already announced keep the program "Best in Class."

The 30k revenue trigger is interesting, this is like SQ PPS Club (which only takes $25k to qualify) and the benes sound similar too. Although many airlines have a spend threshold like this, few are transparent about the amount and your progress towards it. UA has GS, CO had CO*, but they don't put the carrot out in front to let you know how far you have to go. Never been a CO* or a UGS so I cannot comment on what that gets you, but after a couple of years as a SQPPS I wouldn't be going out of my way to spend 25-30k with an airline to get these pretty paltry benes...

Given the following benefits http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...l#post12950532 are coming in 2010 for CO customers, it is clear that DL is slated to have the most customer-unfriendly systemwide upgrades in the US airline industry unless DL management has a serious change of heart.

They can now honestly say that they are in a class all by themselves.

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So true...

Without a doubt.

If they didn't even issue any kind of response to AA (a larger player than CO) opening SWUs to all classes, why would anyone expect DL to match CO offering SWUs to all classes?

Remember, they did, er, almost matched the double EQM promotion according to an internal memo but evidently changed their minds at the last moment. I think Scott and the OP people are brilliant. They hit DL where they had an obvious weakness. A weakness that we future DMs have been pointing out for the last few months to DL. Maybe the SMs people will listen to us now. Nah, I really do know better.

There's no way they can spin this as anything but worst in class now (well, I'm sure the PR machine will try, but I shall laugh). At least before they could make the argument they weren't the worst in this category as CO didn't have SWUs...

Hmmm I think we predicted this
 

About a month back I was one of many who predicted that the FF world was about to change and for the better (if you are a customer) and this is where it is playing out: SWU's and uber-tiers. I have to tell you, I have been doing everything I can to convince myself that DL may pony up something around SWU's to respond to the war for customers going on right now. I think they are going to stay silent and after reading the CO announcement I HAVE NO CHOICE but to leave. I owe it to my company, shareholders and myself. The folks who keep parroting that DL is just shedding their "worst customers" could not be more wrong. I EASILY spend 30k a year on DL. There are fewer customers out there now and EVEN FEWER willing to pay a premium to sit up front in these economic conditions. It is my feeling that DL will keep marching to their plan and strategy that was set in 2004 and march all the way to disaster. It is a new model now and while it will change at some point (just like the job market went from Employee to Employer advantaged) right now DL is absolutely out of the competition. This really does change everything...and the next AL to jump in will change it again but I highly doubt it will be DL.

CO is doing a very good job of wooing me back. If only they would dump the prop planes on DCA-EWR...

Wow, this could be a game changer for me too. I have over 200K EQMs on NW/DL this year and still have to purchase an M+ fare just to qualify for a BE upgrade... let alone find upgrade inventory. Amazing that the CO SWUs are valid with all published fares and are fully transferrable. I'll be following this one closely. ^ to CO.

It is as though CO studied DL's program, identified everything DL did wrong, and then rolled out a program that was superior in every possible way. Although I almost certainly will never make the $30K spend to reach their top tier, if I did I would feel appropriately rewarded. Even at 100K EQM I would be better off with CO than I would be at 125K with DL. DL's program is a joke in comparison. This just underscores how "worst-in-class" is the "loyalty" program the misguided trolls in ATL cooked up.

+1

I was thinking about this anyway and the only reason to stay with DL was the attempt to have top status in 2 alliances. Once BD goes down I need a new home in *A and CO looks really attractive right now.
Something tells me DL won't do anything ...

It all depends on the customer base that DL is targeting. Are they going for the high-frequency/premium travellers or would they rather have a base that is exponentially larger composed of FOs armed with a cobranded AMEX? I would have to think the lower level is easier to recruit and maintain.