Delta is too generous with upgrades!
Dec 10, 2009, 12:41 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
And on Monday, I rushed off a flight from DTW to CLT, ran up to a flight that was boarding to ATL, got a SDC seconds before boarding started and got the UG! Somewhere in the waiting area, someone was certainly upset with me, but I've been on the other side plenty of times, too. (Who would think that to fly DL from DTW to ATL you could have to change planes in CLT?)
Dec 10, 2009, 2:10 pm
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,166
Your analysis is not flawed; however, to correct your statement of facts, the flight hasn't even happened yet. It will be on Sunday - three days hence.
Dec 10, 2009, 4:40 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Inland Empire!
Programs: NW Plat (formerly), UA 1K, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,917
Dec 10, 2009, 4:52 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,635
Maybe you haven't read the flame threads from NW flyers complaining that DL has ruined the perks they formerly enjoyed. The term "best in class" is frequently cited with a certain degree of disdain. If the OP's suggestion is followed by DL, and DL stops being "generous" with upgrades and doesn't clear as many upgrades at the 5, 3, and 1 day windows so that more SDC upgrades can be facilitated, then I would expect the kind of criticism that has been so prevalent on this board from those used to NW policies on upgrades. As many posters on this thread have pointed out, several Medallions actually like having their upgrades clear in advance.
Dec 10, 2009, 5:26 pm
#50
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Maybe you haven't read the flame threads from NW flyers complaining that DL has ruined the perks they formerly enjoyed. The term "best in class" is frequently cited with a certain degree of disdain. If the OP's suggestion is followed by DL, and DL stops being "generous" with upgrades and doesn't clear as many upgrades at the 5, 3, and 1 day windows so that more SDC upgrades can be facilitated, then I would expect the kind of criticism that has been so prevalent on this board from those used to NW policies on upgrades. As many posters on this thread have pointed out, several Medallions actually like having their upgrades clear in advance.
Dec 10, 2009, 5:52 pm
#52
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,635
Do you understand now, or should I explain it further?
Dec 11, 2009, 8:21 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Upstate NY or FL or inbetween
Programs: US former CP Looking for a new airline to love me
Posts: 1,674
One area DL has it just right!
I SDC a lot. Pay for my own tickets, so unless I see a big oversold threat, I'll take the cheapest routing for my day of travel, and SDC as need be. Sometimes the UG happens on my SDC flights, sometimes not. Whatever way it works out, it was a consequence of my decisions and strategy, so I can only whine at myself about the outcome.
The UA system does not work as well. As a 1K, I'll invariably clear the standby list, but U/G priority goes behind everyone else currently on the U/G list for that flight, regardless of status. Still, if I chose to go earlier standby (later is problematic on UA unlike the max same day flexibility given by DL SDC) it was also my decision, my consequences.
The UA system does not work as well. As a 1K, I'll invariably clear the standby list, but U/G priority goes behind everyone else currently on the U/G list for that flight, regardless of status. Still, if I chose to go earlier standby (later is problematic on UA unlike the max same day flexibility given by DL SDC) it was also my decision, my consequences.
Dec 11, 2009, 9:22 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta - Silver, Intercontinental - Ex Plat
Posts: 26
When I SDC, I forego certain things (or entitlements one may say). First is the ability to get an upgrade. I'm not taking my original flight, which I took a spot in the upgrade list away from someone else. I chose not to use it. Second is that I don't have an issue with being stuck in the middle seat if that's the only seat available. Bummed out and cramped, probably, but if it gets me where I intended to go at the time I prefer vs. the original, well no complaints from me.
I look at it this way, I'm already probably bumping some other lower elite or general member one down the list just trying to get a seat. I shouldn't expect to trump others just because I changed my mind.
That's independent of how Inventory Management deals with giving out the upgrades in advance. They do their own sort of voodoo calculations but my principles on SDC upgrades remain the same.
I look at it this way, I'm already probably bumping some other lower elite or general member one down the list just trying to get a seat. I shouldn't expect to trump others just because I changed my mind.
That's independent of how Inventory Management deals with giving out the upgrades in advance. They do their own sort of voodoo calculations but my principles on SDC upgrades remain the same.
a rare voice of reasoning in the 4 page long thread. Its simple, you snooze (and wait till the last minute to decide how and when you want to go) you lose. Sorry..
- butlers
Dec 12, 2009, 4:49 am
#58
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: RDU
Programs: AA GM, DL DM, DSC
Posts: 1,540
To the OP you are entitled to your opinion so no flame throwing here but in case DL is reading this thread I am happy with the current process for both SDC and UGs. When I SDC, I make the decision assuming no UG will occur but may try to choose a flight that has a better chance of the UG clearing if the timing reasonable.
Dec 12, 2009, 6:54 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK & MKE
Programs: Amex-gold, Hainan-gold, Mrt-LT Titanium
Posts: 1,353
Yes, I will echo this. the NW-Delta upgrade change is about the 'revenue' on the ticket.
My coleague who is Gold with a higher priced ticket gets the ATL upgrade over my Plt status on the MSP flights. So the new Diamonds will get bumped by the high revenue Plt holders in 2010 from MSP orgins
My coleague who is Gold with a higher priced ticket gets the ATL upgrade over my Plt status on the MSP flights. So the new Diamonds will get bumped by the high revenue Plt holders in 2010 from MSP orgins
Dec 12, 2009, 7:17 am
#60
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Personally, I am happy if/when I get an UG, but understand it's not a guaranty. I even understand it's human nature to think the policy is great when I get an UG and it's wrong when I don't get an UG. Whatever the policy, I'll live with it.
The only thing I ask is that the policy be very clear and consistently used. If I don't get an upgrade because I didn't qualify per the published procedure, it's understandable. If I don't get an upgrade because the procedure what not followed so that a non-rev or other uneligible pax gets ahead of me, then I'm irked.
Nothing's more frustrating than waiting until the end of boarding, not being cleared, told you have to get on the plane, seeing the empty seat and watching a DL employee with badge on neck who was in the gate area when you boarded ultimately take the seat on a cross-country flight. (It wasn't me, as I wasn't first on the list, but the guy who waited wound up sitting across the aisle from me and was, rightfully, very agitated.)
The only thing I ask is that the policy be very clear and consistently used. If I don't get an upgrade because I didn't qualify per the published procedure, it's understandable. If I don't get an upgrade because the procedure what not followed so that a non-rev or other uneligible pax gets ahead of me, then I'm irked.
Nothing's more frustrating than waiting until the end of boarding, not being cleared, told you have to get on the plane, seeing the empty seat and watching a DL employee with badge on neck who was in the gate area when you boarded ultimately take the seat on a cross-country flight. (It wasn't me, as I wasn't first on the list, but the guy who waited wound up sitting across the aisle from me and was, rightfully, very agitated.)