New "Sky Priority" Benefits for High-Revenue Elites to be Announced Spring 2010
Apr 13, 2010, 6:53 pm
#451
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: AA, EXP. DL, DM 1MM. HHonors, Diamond. Hertz, PC. National, EE.
Posts: 259
I got the e-mail today, and I have to say, worst idea ever!! I feel sorry for the silvers.
Delta had better come up with a separate pre-board process for DM's
Delta had better come up with a separate pre-board process for DM's
Last edited by mcmitchell; Apr 13, 2010 at 7:19 pm Reason: typo
Apr 13, 2010, 6:58 pm
#452
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Apr 13, 2010, 7:03 pm
#453
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond, DL DM & 2MM
Posts: 235
To SkyMilesInsider: Please, I emplore you to re-evaluate this new boarding process for Zone 1!
Apr 13, 2010, 7:14 pm
#454
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: Delta Plat Kool-Aid Drinker, Hyatt Diamond, SPG GM, Marriott GM, Hilton GM, and Priority Club GM
Posts: 1,184
We hope you're enjoying all the benefits of your 2010 Silver Medallion® status. As you continue to take advantage of these benefits—including priority check-in and boarding, preferred seats, complimentary upgrades, mileage bonuses, and Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)—we'd like to offer you an additional opportunity to enjoy a higher level of travel experience with Delta Sky Priority™, beginning April 15, 2010.
Sky Priority is a suite of improved services you could enjoy at key moments during your travel. While your current Silver Medallion benefits do not provide you with automatic access to the expanded services of Sky Priority, these services are available should you upgrade to or purchase a BusinessElite®, First or Business Class ticket.
Sky Priority services were created to reinforce Delta's commitment to our highest valued customers. Here's how Sky Priority could give you more:
Faster Check-In: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.
Accelerated Security Clearance: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.
Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bin space, or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.
Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.
When you reach Gold Medallion status, you can enjoy Sky Priority services no matter what class you fly. You can get closer to Gold Medallion status by earning MQMs or Medallion Qualification Segments when you fly with Delta, take advantage of SkyMiles® partner opportunities or acquire the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card or the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express.
Discover the Sky Priority experience at delta.com/skypriority. We think you'll like the difference
So....says we still have priority check-in and preferred seats.
Sky Priority is a suite of improved services you could enjoy at key moments during your travel. While your current Silver Medallion benefits do not provide you with automatic access to the expanded services of Sky Priority, these services are available should you upgrade to or purchase a BusinessElite®, First or Business Class ticket.
Sky Priority services were created to reinforce Delta's commitment to our highest valued customers. Here's how Sky Priority could give you more:
Faster Check-In: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.
Accelerated Security Clearance: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.
Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bin space, or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.
Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.
When you reach Gold Medallion status, you can enjoy Sky Priority services no matter what class you fly. You can get closer to Gold Medallion status by earning MQMs or Medallion Qualification Segments when you fly with Delta, take advantage of SkyMiles® partner opportunities or acquire the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card or the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express.
Discover the Sky Priority experience at delta.com/skypriority. We think you'll like the difference
So....says we still have priority check-in and preferred seats.
Apr 13, 2010, 7:18 pm
#455
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Sky Miles Insider, I hope you are paying attention here, because for all the build up to Sky Priority, you delivered one giant bag of HOT AIR here! I was a defender during the wait, but now, I am a HUGE CRITIC! I think that Sky Priority is a PUBLIC RELATIONS, FUNCTIONAL, AND OPERATIONAL DISASTER!
The goal is always to UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER, but what Delta did here was OVER PROMISE, UNDER DELIVER. I, for one, was seriously looking forward to the complimentary Internet, but where is it?
You guys MAJORLY screwed up here! If you do not fix it, and FAST, you will be losing a lot of your very best customers, and you will be amazed at how fast that will happen!
The goal is always to UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER, but what Delta did here was OVER PROMISE, UNDER DELIVER. I, for one, was seriously looking forward to the complimentary Internet, but where is it?
You guys MAJORLY screwed up here! If you do not fix it, and FAST, you will be losing a lot of your very best customers, and you will be amazed at how fast that will happen!
Apr 13, 2010, 7:26 pm
#456
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Apr 13, 2010, 8:05 pm
#457
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Sky Priority was supposed to be a big enhancer, on multiple issues, correct?
* I have been getting the YELLOW PRIORITY LUGGAGE TAG for several months now, and I can't say that it works most of the time. Sure, once in a while, my luggage comes out near the beginning of the luggage on the carousel, but most of the time, especially in my home airport, Fort Lauderdale, my luggage comes out in the middle or the end of the luggage on the carousel, so what is the point?
* We were told that free Internet was supposed to be part of Sky Priority, but where is it?
* GM, PM, DM, and FC passengers already had priority check in lines, and priority security lines, so just changing the names and signage on those lines is not an enhancement, it is WORTHLESS WINDOW DRESSING, plus it is a slap in the face to FO members, isn't it?
* An exclusive reservation line with a number on the back of our Medallion credential card? Excuse me, but we have had this benefit for a LONG TIME, did you take it away from us yesterday and give it back to us today just so you can tell us that it is a new benefit or something equally silly?
* Highest boarding priority? You mean reordering the priority that everyone was already happy with? You mean boarding all DM, PM, and GM with the FC passengers in zone 1, even if more than half the plane is made up of DM, PM, GM and paid FC? That will make it so bad for people running to make a late connection, and who has a first class seat, just about guaranteeing that the first class bins will be full because someone from the rear of the plane thinks that it is okay to put their luggage in the first class bins as they pass by, necessitating a person with a first class seat having to put their carry on bag in a bin over seat 31 D!
* The only possible enhancement is the free drink or free snack coupon we will be getting if we do not get our upgrade, and for those of us who do not drink or do not like the snack offerings, we actually get NOTHING! Hoo Rah!
Did I leave any of the good or bad "enhancements out here?
* I have been getting the YELLOW PRIORITY LUGGAGE TAG for several months now, and I can't say that it works most of the time. Sure, once in a while, my luggage comes out near the beginning of the luggage on the carousel, but most of the time, especially in my home airport, Fort Lauderdale, my luggage comes out in the middle or the end of the luggage on the carousel, so what is the point?
* We were told that free Internet was supposed to be part of Sky Priority, but where is it?
* GM, PM, DM, and FC passengers already had priority check in lines, and priority security lines, so just changing the names and signage on those lines is not an enhancement, it is WORTHLESS WINDOW DRESSING, plus it is a slap in the face to FO members, isn't it?
* An exclusive reservation line with a number on the back of our Medallion credential card? Excuse me, but we have had this benefit for a LONG TIME, did you take it away from us yesterday and give it back to us today just so you can tell us that it is a new benefit or something equally silly?
* Highest boarding priority? You mean reordering the priority that everyone was already happy with? You mean boarding all DM, PM, and GM with the FC passengers in zone 1, even if more than half the plane is made up of DM, PM, GM and paid FC? That will make it so bad for people running to make a late connection, and who has a first class seat, just about guaranteeing that the first class bins will be full because someone from the rear of the plane thinks that it is okay to put their luggage in the first class bins as they pass by, necessitating a person with a first class seat having to put their carry on bag in a bin over seat 31 D!
* The only possible enhancement is the free drink or free snack coupon we will be getting if we do not get our upgrade, and for those of us who do not drink or do not like the snack offerings, we actually get NOTHING! Hoo Rah!
Did I leave any of the good or bad "enhancements out here?
Apr 13, 2010, 8:06 pm
#458
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Atlanta
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Silver, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 3,656
Originally Posted by humanoid94
The only other thing I would have liked to have seen from Sky Priority would have been some free internet access.
Originally Posted by SkyMilesInsider
We are still working on that part...no timelines to report.
Apr 13, 2010, 8:26 pm
#459
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Apr 13, 2010, 8:31 pm
#460
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Atlanta
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Silver, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 3,656
I don't know if anything can be compared to US. This little cockroach ran away and never looked back. US even didn't even try to appear as they cared.
Apr 13, 2010, 8:45 pm
#461
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,497
* I have been getting the YELLOW PRIORITY LUGGAGE TAG for several months now, and I can't say that it works most of the time. Sure, once in a while, my luggage comes out near the beginning of the luggage on the carousel, but most of the time, especially in my home airport, Fort Lauderdale, my luggage comes out in the middle or the end of the luggage on the carousel, so what is the point?
* We were told that free Internet was supposed to be part of Sky Priority, but where is it?
* The only possible enhancement is the free drink or free snack coupon we will be getting if we do not get our upgrade, and for those of us who do not drink or do not like the snack offerings, we actually get NOTHING! Hoo Rah!
Did I leave any of the good or bad "enhancements out here?
* We were told that free Internet was supposed to be part of Sky Priority, but where is it?
* The only possible enhancement is the free drink or free snack coupon we will be getting if we do not get our upgrade, and for those of us who do not drink or do not like the snack offerings, we actually get NOTHING! Hoo Rah!
Did I leave any of the good or bad "enhancements out here?
Would I like free wi-fi coupons? Of course. Truth of the matter is:
- free wi-fi was never officially announced to the public. Basically everything on this thread before hand was assumed to be the case, and the assumptions don't always happen for whatever reason. I'm guessing here, it was some issues with negotiations with GoGo/AirCell.
- SMI posted this information to us on Friday evening. 99.999% of SP customers first heard about it today. FlyerTalk was the first public place anyone could get official confirmation of the benefits. The website went live about 6 hours after SMI's post. Even there, the only place that knew of the link was FT (and from there, it got spread around to various travel blogs, etc.). Basically, FT got a 4 day head start on the official details of Sky Priority - a fact that seems to get lost in the shuffle rather easily (and the same old accusations of Delta doesn't communicate still get thrown around
)- Priority baggage is still an issue at some airports. It can use some improvement. That's where stuff like doing the surveys for Sky Priority will most likely come in very handy. If there are a lot of people complaining about station XYZ, then it's more data points for them to fix the situation.
- Complaining about free food/drinks is rather
to me. What else (besides free wi-fi) can Delta give SP customers besides snacks/drinks? Just because some customers might get nothing out of it because they don't drink, no EATS, etc. doesn't mean it's not a great net-positive. Not all customers would use wi-fi on the plane...they might want a drink over free wi-fi. For right now though, my guess is (again), Delta is still negotiating with GoGo IRT wi-fi and that's why it's not here right now.
Apr 13, 2010, 9:09 pm
#462
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,455
From January 23:
Here we go again ...
I figured you'd see the light eventually! 
Sky Miles Insider, I hope you are paying attention here, because for all the build up to Sky Priority, you delivered one giant bag of HOT AIR here! I was a defender during the wait, but now, I am a HUGE CRITIC! I think that Sky Priority is a PUBLIC RELATIONS, FUNCTIONAL, AND OPERATIONAL DISASTER!
The goal is always to UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER, but what Delta did here was OVER PROMISE, UNDER DELIVER. I, for one, was seriously looking forward to the complimentary Internet, but where is it?
You guys MAJORLY screwed up here! If you do not fix it, and FAST, you will be losing a lot of your very best customers, and you will be amazed at how fast that will happen!
The goal is always to UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER, but what Delta did here was OVER PROMISE, UNDER DELIVER. I, for one, was seriously looking forward to the complimentary Internet, but where is it?
You guys MAJORLY screwed up here! If you do not fix it, and FAST, you will be losing a lot of your very best customers, and you will be amazed at how fast that will happen!
Apr 13, 2010, 10:22 pm
#463
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,562
We hope you're enjoying all the benefits of your 2010 Silver Medallion® status. As you continue to take advantage of these benefits—including priority check-in and boarding, preferred seats, complimentary upgrades, mileage bonuses, and Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)—we'd like to offer you an additional opportunity to enjoy a higher level of travel experience with Delta Sky Priority™, beginning April 15, 2010.
Sky Priority is a suite of improved services you could enjoy at key moments during your travel. While your current Silver Medallion benefits do not provide you with automatic access to the expanded services of Sky Priority, these services are available should you upgrade to or purchase a BusinessElite®, First or Business Class ticket.
Sky Priority services were created to reinforce Delta's commitment to our highest valued customers. Here's how Sky Priority could give you more:
Faster Check-In: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.
Accelerated Security Clearance: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.
Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bin space, or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.
Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.
When you reach Gold Medallion status, you can enjoy Sky Priority services no matter what class you fly. You can get closer to Gold Medallion status by earning MQMs or Medallion Qualification Segments when you fly with Delta, take advantage of SkyMiles® partner opportunities or acquire the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card or the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express.
Discover the Sky Priority experience at delta.com/skypriority. We think you'll like the difference
So....says we still have priority check-in and preferred seats.
Sky Priority is a suite of improved services you could enjoy at key moments during your travel. While your current Silver Medallion benefits do not provide you with automatic access to the expanded services of Sky Priority, these services are available should you upgrade to or purchase a BusinessElite®, First or Business Class ticket.
Sky Priority services were created to reinforce Delta's commitment to our highest valued customers. Here's how Sky Priority could give you more:
Faster Check-In: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.
Accelerated Security Clearance: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.
Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bin space, or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.
Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.
When you reach Gold Medallion status, you can enjoy Sky Priority services no matter what class you fly. You can get closer to Gold Medallion status by earning MQMs or Medallion Qualification Segments when you fly with Delta, take advantage of SkyMiles® partner opportunities or acquire the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card or the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express.
Discover the Sky Priority experience at delta.com/skypriority. We think you'll like the difference
So....says we still have priority check-in and preferred seats.
So SkyPriority makes a big, flashy announcement in which:
-all elites except silver get to KEEP ESSENTIALLY THE BENEFITS THEY ALREADY HAVE;
while
-silvers LOSE the following benefits which they've previously enjoyed: priority luggage tags, elite security lines (some airports), and most importantly, Elite check in (regardless of what they say above, Sky Priority has "faster check in... dedicated check in areas" which Silvers do not get to enjoy).
What is the difference between "priority check in" and "faster check in... dedicated check in areas"?
Did Delta even vet this with their PR people? Did they take marketing 101? Did their MBAs go to accredited graduate schools?
I am positively perplexed. I don't understand them at all. Do they really think their customers are this stupid? What are they possibly thinking? And what are any of us still doing flying them? Are they intentionally trying to drive away all their elites? First their plats, then their silvers... who's next?
Apr 13, 2010, 10:30 pm
#464
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,497
-silvers LOSE the following benefits which they've previously enjoyed: priority luggage tags, elite security lines (some airports), and most importantly, Elite check in.
Did Delta even vet this with their PR people? Are they really this imbecilic? Did they take marketing 101? Did their MBAs go to accredited graduate schools?
I am positively perplexed. I don't understand them at all. What are they possibly thinking? And what are any of us still doing flying them? Are they intentionally trying to drive away all their elites? First their plats, then their silvers... who's next?
Did Delta even vet this with their PR people? Are they really this imbecilic? Did they take marketing 101? Did their MBAs go to accredited graduate schools?
I am positively perplexed. I don't understand them at all. What are they possibly thinking? And what are any of us still doing flying them? Are they intentionally trying to drive away all their elites? First their plats, then their silvers... who's next?
We also have not gotten any confirmation or straight denial that Silvers will not be able to use elite check-in lines going forward. Until we see it in practice and get official confirmation, I'll continue to trust SMI when he says that no current Silver benefits will be going away.
Apr 13, 2010, 10:46 pm
#465
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL Diamond Medallion, AA Executive Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold VIP
Posts: 564
Looking at nwa.com from March 2007 and January 2008 (http://web.archive.org/web/200703290...benefits.shtml), it does not look like Silvers got priority luggage or elite security as published benefits - one off airports/agents might have done it, but it was never officially there.