Originally Posted by mike_plat

To celebrate the increasing worthlessness of my newly acquired infinite FO status, I shall wear the Tiffany cufflinks I got for the milestone on my next Continental flight!

Originally Posted by Tom Williams

Sorry, that is not the way it was. Until SkyPriority, Zone 1 was only first class, not silver, not gold, not platinum.

And this is how it should be (in my opinion). I don't care so much how they do the various elite classes after boarding first class, but FC should go first.^

Thank you Delta for putting this back right.

Originally Posted by DLNYC

The hard changes have not made a huge difference to GMs/PMs/DM (with the exception of the drink coupon---not sure what the status on that is now), but SkyPriority I'm sure has made the GM+ group feel just that much more special. Is it worth making this group feel better at the expense of FOs? I don't have access to DL data on Medallion ranks and revenue, so I couldn't say, but DL obviously feels any perceived devaluation to FO will be offset by the perceived increase in value to GM+.

Originally Posted by daregale

The merger has been a huge downgrade for silver elites: no more elite phone line, charges to change your flight on the same day, downgraded check-in and security, new higher charges on booking award tickets. I consistently fly 30K a year for business and now have very little incentive to fly Delta exclusively, especially with the rise in ticket prices out of MSP and new lack of usability in the online booking tools.

Originally Posted by daregale

The merger has been a huge downgrade for silver elites: no more elite phone line, charges to change your flight on the same day, downgraded check-in and security, new higher charges on booking award tickets. I consistently fly 30K a year for business and now have very little incentive to fly Delta exclusively, especially with the rise in ticket prices out of MSP and new lack of usability in the online booking tools.

Originally Posted by jtrue28

really? booked two today...still $10, same as usual.

Originally Posted by DLNYC

FOs no longer have access to the Medallion CS line? I always did when I was FO. If this is the case, this clearly should be fixed.

Originally Posted by chrisj85

I think the dilemma for mid-level FOs such as myself (have been GM and PM in the past, still fly about 30-35K MQMs a year) is that we feel DL has broken the "social contract" with us. This makes DL less trustworthy in the future. Sure, it's possible for me to reach GM this year with a few mileage runs or an extra European trip, but then I wonder, next year will DL target the GMs with a midyear benefit dilution/reduction as they did to the FOs this year? Imagine if this time next year, DL deems that henceforth only PM/DM/FC will receive SP benefits.

Also, by barely reaching GM with no rollover miles left at the end of the year, it will become that much harder to re-qualify next year.

Or do I just trudge along as a FO, booking cheap flights on DL and booking elsewhere when necessary (unlike in the past when I would book everything on DL even if I had to pay a significantly higher fare), rolling over 15K which makes re-qualification next year as a FO a snap, and hope that DL doesn't further degrade the FO level in the future?

Or do I take my business elsewhere entirely?

These are questions with no good answers, if one no longer trusts DL to consistently reward Elite level flyers as they have in the past.

Originally Posted by DLNYC

FOs no longer have access to the Medallion CS line? I always did when I was FO. If this is the case, this clearly should be fixed.

Originally Posted by daregale

You're also a Delta Reserve member, for which fees are waived. The fees of $75/$100/$150 for award tickets less than 21 days out still seem new and shocking to me, as do the redeposit fees.

WorldPerks Silver Elite used to get a 50% mileage bonus instead of a 25% also, but I can't remember when that changed, whether it was pre- or post-merger.

Originally Posted by Liz_MSP

I agree with ALL of the above.

I am a SM, fly about 35-40K year, just flew five legs over the past few days.

Check-in at MSP- SMs have separate line from SP, clearly marked. Line was short- no problems for me, but there could be in the future.

SMs not allowed to use SP carpet- fine, whatever. I loaded with Zone 2 when not upgraded and Zone 1 when upgraded. Worked fine but I had a small bag.

The announcement specifically thanking Diamond, Plat, GM, and excluding SM, was heard on all of my 5 flights. Honestly, I just find it tacky. Why explicitly exclude SMs?

My biggest complaint is the $50 SDC for SM. SM should be able to standby for free, at the very least. But that isn't related to Sky Priority.

But as the PP mentioned- Delta has broken the social contract. I no longer trust them- what is the point of trying to fly an extra 8K miles this year beyond scheduled trips to hit GM when they may just devalue GM next year?

Originally Posted by Stripe

it seems like they went out of their way to make Silvers feel like a lower class. Of course, Silvers actually are a lower class, but DL should have done a better job making the upper classes feel special without rubbing it in the lower classes' faces.

Originally Posted by NWA012

On June1 boarding will revert back to pre Sky Priority days with a new addition of "PREM" printing in place of ZONE 1 on boarding passes for those in a premium cabin.

The boarding should flow:

Those needing agent assistance or extra time.
PREM (Premium Cabin)
ZONE 1 (Diamond, Platinum, Gold and SkyTeam Elite Plus) Soon AS MVP Gold
ZONE 2 (Silver and SkyTeam Elite)
ZONE 3 (Rear 1/3 of aircraft on mainline or remaing rows on connection carriers)
ZONE 4 (Remaing rows mainline only)

Originally Posted by Stripe

SkyPriority didn't take much, if anything, away from Silvers. It just puts into sharper relief what Golds and above get compared to Silvers. As usual, DL blew the communication part, which is at the root of most of the angst. From the ridiculous onboard announcement that excludes SM's, to the inconsistent airport signage and agent training, it seems like they went out of their way to make Silvers feel like a lower class. Of course, Silvers actually are a lower class, but DL should have done a better job making the upper classes feel special without rubbing it in the lower classes' faces.

Originally Posted by meh130

Helpful, but I think making it where ZONE 1 was Premium and Diamond, and ZONE 2 FO, GM, and PM, would be better. There would be more differentiation for DM that way, and since DMs would be a large part of those seated in F, it seems it would have little impact.