SkyMilesInsider update: Sky Priority is HERE…
Apr 10, 2010, 11:19 am
#121
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SEA, SoCal
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, AA, WN, Hertz, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 1,306
I think the best practice for DL would be to pre-board F/BE before zone 1.
Apr 10, 2010, 12:23 pm
#122
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 243
I usually stay out of these; but I must say
Please leave the boarding process the way it is; F-Zone 1 Medallions-Zone 2. Its a great perk to NOT have to fight through 30 gate lice to board when they call Zone 1; knowing you are suppose to be boarding before them cause you are in F
Please leave the boarding process the way it is; F-Zone 1 Medallions-Zone 2. Its a great perk to NOT have to fight through 30 gate lice to board when they call Zone 1; knowing you are suppose to be boarding before them cause you are in F
Apr 10, 2010, 12:39 pm
#123
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
I would assume (SMI, please confirm) that AS elites won't qualify for Sky Priority, but will continue to receive the same benefits, which currently include preferred seating and priority boarding in zone 2.
Priority check-in is currently a published benefit for FO's, so does this mean there will be a medallion/elite check-in line in addition to the Sky Priority line? Since it's been stated that FO's and partner elites will continue to receive all of their current benefits, I'd think there would have to be.
Priority check-in is currently a published benefit for FO's, so does this mean there will be a medallion/elite check-in line in addition to the Sky Priority line? Since it's been stated that FO's and partner elites will continue to receive all of their current benefits, I'd think there would have to be.
I would assume that we will not be eligible, otherwise, it would have been mentioned on the site... I was just hoping that they considered their "marketing agreement" with AS and how it will impact the value of the reciprocal benefits [either enhance or dilute] for AS elites...
I have another trip on DL [that will put me over 30K miles of flying on DL YTD] in 2 weeks and I will observe whether my experience has been enhanced or diluted on DL with this new program implemented.
Apr 10, 2010, 12:50 pm
#124
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Programs: DL GE
Posts: 1,654
We hear you and have already posted as much. A totally separate team is working on that project.
SMI
SMI
As previously posted, you can expect to see changes starting this summer and continuing through the year. We are very aware of the items that need to be addressed with the Award Chart on delta.com and we are absolutely committed to providing a better experience.
Sounds like if they would just schedule the 10 minutes, all this backlash would go away. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
So perception is "Hey look at all these cool things we are doing!" then when someone mentions "the issue" we get the I am annoyed response:
We hear you and have already posted as much.......
Really the award calendar matters little to me with the close-in fees, award travel is almost useless. SP seems like a nice touch, I hope to enjoy it going forward, but maybe we can talk about those close-in fees in relation to creating the "best experience", once the calendar is fixed of course..
Apr 10, 2010, 12:53 pm
#125
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
At least half of the time AS GA's will protect the F cabin by pre-boarding F before Golds seated in Y. However, on a lot AS flights there aren't any Golds in Y, so it doesn't matter. The problems arise when you get an elite heavy transcon flight where the Golds try to edge out the F pax. I've witnessed a few folks get a bit testy in the boarding area in these situations.
Remember, AS's elite base is nowhere near the size of DL/AA/CO/UA/etc [only 35,000-40,000 Golds inc. the MVPG75Ks].... It is extremely rare to see more than 10-15 Golds on one flight [except for SEA-ANC] and quite commonly there are absolutely 0 Golds in Y, because they all have been upgraded
... On 2 of my AS flights this year, I was the only Gold... With that being said, what you may have experienced with AS regarding Golds boarding with F passengers is going to be nothing compared to what you might will experience on DL with SkyPriority...
Last edited by golfingboy; Apr 10, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Apr 10, 2010, 1:12 pm
#126
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I'm not concerned about the boarding issue -- it'll end up being just another example of DL making a situation what it is (or doing nothing effective about it) and then providing us with a "see, we listened to our most valuable customers" moment, just like before.
Of course for most customers, DL SkyMiles-- even with SkyPriority -- will remain as lousy as it remains for those who earn(ed) their miles mostly (or exclusively) from flying and want(ed) to use them for flights at reasonable award ticket prices compared to the likes of AA, AS, CO, UA and US.
Of course for most customers, DL SkyMiles-- even with SkyPriority -- will remain as lousy as it remains for those who earn(ed) their miles mostly (or exclusively) from flying and want(ed) to use them for flights at reasonable award ticket prices compared to the likes of AA, AS, CO, UA and US.
Apr 10, 2010, 1:22 pm
#127
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SEA, SoCal
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, AA, WN, Hertz, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 1,306
I would assume that we will not be eligible, otherwise, it would have been mentioned on the site... I was just hoping that they considered their "marketing agreement" with AS and how it will impact the value of the reciprocal benefits [either enhance or dilute] for AS elites...
They're not really diluting any benefits per se, they're just giving their own top elites higher priority, which I believe is reasonable. AS elites will still be in zone 2, which I think is fine.
Consider this: If they allowed AS Golds to board with Sky Priority, that would mean that AS would probably have to reciprocate and let DL GMs and above to board with F/MVPG, and ahead of their own MVPs. As an MVPG, do you really want to be jockeying for position with a bunch of Delta DM, PM, and GMs when flying AS? I think it's perfectly fair and reasonable for each airline to offer reciprocal benefits equivalent to their own bottom tier, as opposed to the was UA/CO does it.
Apr 10, 2010, 1:52 pm
#128
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
Priority Boarding is absolutely worthless for us if there are more than 50 people in Y that boards in zone 1... I.E. If I am seated in the bulkhead row in Y and boards in zone 2 then securing a space in the overhead bin [the main purpose behind priority boarding] within 2 or 3 rows of my seat is going to be near impossible.
I would assume that we will not be eligible, otherwise, it would have been mentioned on the site... I was just hoping that they considered their "marketing agreement" with AS and how it will impact the value of the reciprocal benefits [either enhance or dilute] for AS elites...
I would assume that we will not be eligible, otherwise, it would have been mentioned on the site... I was just hoping that they considered their "marketing agreement" with AS and how it will impact the value of the reciprocal benefits [either enhance or dilute] for AS elites...
Overall, Silver/ST Elite boarding becomes slightly diminished as they might not be able to get the exact overhead space above their seats, but they will still get a crack at it before the rest of the non-elites. A slight loss for them, but except in very few cases, not a huge deal.
Apr 10, 2010, 2:04 pm
#129
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SEA, SoCal
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, AA, WN, Hertz, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 1,306
I think it makes a lot of sense for DL in situations where they have a lot of passengers flying paid F/J to protect them from hordes of card wavers clogging up the gate area.
Apr 10, 2010, 2:06 pm
#130
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
They're not really diluting any benefits per se, they're just giving their own top elites higher priority, which I believe is reasonable. AS elites will still be in zone 2, which I think is fine.
Consider this: If they allowed AS Golds to board with Sky Priority, that would mean that AS would probably have to reciprocate and let DL GMs and above to board with F/MVPG, and ahead of their own MVPs. As an MVPG, do you really want to be jockeying for position with a bunch of Delta DM, PM, and GMs when flying AS?
Consider this: If they allowed AS Golds to board with Sky Priority, that would mean that AS would probably have to reciprocate and let DL GMs and above to board with F/MVPG, and ahead of their own MVPs. As an MVPG, do you really want to be jockeying for position with a bunch of Delta DM, PM, and GMs when flying AS?
-Better Priority Boarding experience [behind only 10-15 Golds vs 20 to 80 on DL]
-Better Chances at Upgrades [less elites to compete for upgrades, 40K AS elites vs. 100K+ DL Elites]
-DL elites will be the only formally recognized partner elite on AS, while we are behind ST Elites on DL
-At many airports DL elites can access the priority security lanes when flying on AS [I.E. ATL, MIA, PHX, DCA, MSP, SAN, BOS, DEN, etc unless DL and AS operates out of different terminals] while we only have this luxury at few airports and can’t use this benefit when flying on DL since AS does not have an agreement in place with many airport TSAs…
That is where my feelings that DL should consider AS elites and determine whether we should be included or excluded in such program...
I am fine with boarding zone 2, but just a bit concerned with how our experience on DL will change... Perhaps, it is time for me to reassess whether AS is the right choice for me [DL is last on my list due to cr@ppy award redemption availability and worthless PMUs]...
I think the mods will probably slap our hands for veering a bit off topic
, we can continue this discussion in this thread in the AS forum:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...s-mean-us.html
P.S. I agree with everything hgdf and others, I am just merely discussing whether the experience will be the same for us on DL as DL elites on AS...
Apr 10, 2010, 2:15 pm
#131
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Also, keep in mind that I would think that the bulkhead rows will remain Zone 1 (as it is now, solely for the purposes of baggage storage).
Overall, Silver/ST Elite boarding becomes slightly diminished as they might not be able to get the exact overhead space above their seats, but they will still get a crack at it before the rest of the non-elites. A slight loss for them, but except in very few cases, not a huge deal.
Overall, Silver/ST Elite boarding becomes slightly diminished as they might not be able to get the exact overhead space above their seats, but they will still get a crack at it before the rest of the non-elites. A slight loss for them, but except in very few cases, not a huge deal.
Apr 10, 2010, 2:15 pm
#132
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ORF
Programs: Delta Diamond Charter Member/1.8MM, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 876
As we approach the launch date of Sky Priority and since it has been a topic of much FlyerTalk conversation already, we wanted to take some time to give you the specific details of this new program – we hope you find it helpful in your travels on Delta and we are very interested in your feedback.
When: As early as next week, you may receive a mailing about the start of Sky Priority which will launch formally in just a few days. For those who are signed up to receive e-mail from Delta, you can expect to see information in your inbox on Tuesday. Wednesday evening (in preparation for Thursday morning), Sky Priority branding on signs, select ticket counter back walls, stanchions, carpets, etc. will be rolled out across the Delta system in domestic and international cities including cities served by Delta Connection. You can visit delta.com/skypriority late tonight for complete details as well as a listing of some of the most basic questions and answers about the service.
How: As we launch this new initiative, it’s important to point out to all of you that this is an experience that is in development and may seem like and extension of existing procedures, but it also includes some new things too. We are committed to including your feedback so we can continue making improvements over time. You will be able to fill out a user-experience survey from the Sky Priority page to tell us how we are doing, things that you think we can do better and even note when we didn’t live up to our promise with Sky Priority.
What: Sky Priority is a travel service from start to finish, for Delta’s high value customers to enhance the overall global travel experience. Our intent is to do this by recognizing customer’s business and loyalty with speed and convenience through the journey with Delta and our Delta Connection partners. While Sky Priority is a new travel service designed to work with Delta’s SkyMiles program. The SkyMiles Medallion program is a loyalty program that rewards customers with tiered status based how many Medallion Qualification Miles or Medallion Qualification Segments are earned annually. Delta Sky Priority is offered to premium customers that includes Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members. They are designed to compliment one another, but are two distinctly different offerings.
Who: Customers traveling on Delta or Delta Connection in BusinessElite, First, and Business Class as well as Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members are eligible for Sky Priority. Customers will automatically receive a number of benefits when traveling with us – while at the airport, on boarding passes and delta.com, during flight and during irregular operations – and experience the Sky Priority brand throughout their journey.
Our SkyMiles Silver Medallion or SkyTeam Elite members will continue to enjoy all the benefits they’ve earned – as found on delta.com - and will experience no changes once Sky Priority is available to qualifying customers.
Silver Medallion members are eligible for Sky Priority services when upgraded or when a BusinessElite, First or Business Class ticket is purchased. For upgrades that are confirmed prior to the start of the check-in process, the Sky Priority identifier will be displayed throughout the itinerary. For upgrades that occur after the start of the check-in process – for example when upgraded at the gate – Sky Priority will not appear on boarding documents, however, they will join the Sky Priority group for boarding process in zone 1.
The specifics: The Sky Priority experience can begin at the time of booking for many and continues through check-in, security, boarding, in-flight – right through to baggage pick-up.
Delta’s overall goal: We believe that these changes will provide a more consistent experience and travel path to Sky Priority eligible customers. As we move forward with the complete roll-out of Sky Priority, we will work to include your feedback in the program and encourage you to let us know how we are doing along the way by frequently completing our customer surveys.
For those of you attending the Delta Mini-DO in Atlanta on April 24, I look forward to hearing your personal accounts and suggestions over dinner.
SkyMilesInsider
When: As early as next week, you may receive a mailing about the start of Sky Priority which will launch formally in just a few days. For those who are signed up to receive e-mail from Delta, you can expect to see information in your inbox on Tuesday. Wednesday evening (in preparation for Thursday morning), Sky Priority branding on signs, select ticket counter back walls, stanchions, carpets, etc. will be rolled out across the Delta system in domestic and international cities including cities served by Delta Connection. You can visit delta.com/skypriority late tonight for complete details as well as a listing of some of the most basic questions and answers about the service.
How: As we launch this new initiative, it’s important to point out to all of you that this is an experience that is in development and may seem like and extension of existing procedures, but it also includes some new things too. We are committed to including your feedback so we can continue making improvements over time. You will be able to fill out a user-experience survey from the Sky Priority page to tell us how we are doing, things that you think we can do better and even note when we didn’t live up to our promise with Sky Priority.
What: Sky Priority is a travel service from start to finish, for Delta’s high value customers to enhance the overall global travel experience. Our intent is to do this by recognizing customer’s business and loyalty with speed and convenience through the journey with Delta and our Delta Connection partners. While Sky Priority is a new travel service designed to work with Delta’s SkyMiles program. The SkyMiles Medallion program is a loyalty program that rewards customers with tiered status based how many Medallion Qualification Miles or Medallion Qualification Segments are earned annually. Delta Sky Priority is offered to premium customers that includes Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members. They are designed to compliment one another, but are two distinctly different offerings.
Who: Customers traveling on Delta or Delta Connection in BusinessElite, First, and Business Class as well as Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members are eligible for Sky Priority. Customers will automatically receive a number of benefits when traveling with us – while at the airport, on boarding passes and delta.com, during flight and during irregular operations – and experience the Sky Priority brand throughout their journey.
Our SkyMiles Silver Medallion or SkyTeam Elite members will continue to enjoy all the benefits they’ve earned – as found on delta.com - and will experience no changes once Sky Priority is available to qualifying customers.
Silver Medallion members are eligible for Sky Priority services when upgraded or when a BusinessElite, First or Business Class ticket is purchased. For upgrades that are confirmed prior to the start of the check-in process, the Sky Priority identifier will be displayed throughout the itinerary. For upgrades that occur after the start of the check-in process – for example when upgraded at the gate – Sky Priority will not appear on boarding documents, however, they will join the Sky Priority group for boarding process in zone 1.
The specifics: The Sky Priority experience can begin at the time of booking for many and continues through check-in, security, boarding, in-flight – right through to baggage pick-up.
- delta.com – from the moment a traveler is identified as being eligible for Sky Priority service, they will have a personal, branded experience on our web site. Once we have the reservation, no matter how it is booked, Sky Priority customers who have provided an e-mail address will receive real-time upgrade notifications.
- Mobile and online check-in – we know that many of you already have used mobile boarding passes or online check-in so it is important that we recognize you there as well. When you check-in on delta.com and we recognize that you didn’t get upgraded, we will add a coupon to your self-printed boarding pass for a complimentary beverage or in-flight snack.
- Curbside or lobby check-in – if you decide to check-in at the curb or in the airport lobby, just look for the Sky Priority signs and we will try to get you on your way in 10 minutes or less. Our hub operations in ATL, MSP, DTW, SLC and CVG will all have dedicated lines that will expedite the process. Be aware that not all airport locations will have dedicated curbside check-in stations and locations will vary. Sky Priority check-in for JFK will be located in terminal 2. At DCA Sky Priority check-in will be at the former ‘shuttle only’ check-in counter next to the security checkpoint. Checking a bag? You may also notice that agents will add a yellow Sky Priority bag tag that will help us identify your baggage for priority service. (see more on baggage handling below)
- Security – wherever possible, we will have dedicated security lines to help you get through this part of your travel faster by easing your way to the front of the line whenever we can. Each airport can be slightly different but we continue to work with local staff to provide a faster security process – this will be an ongoing focus for us as we move forward.
- Boarding – as many have already pointed out, being able to board early and find space for your bags is very important. Delta currently boards by zone numbers starting with BusinessElite and First Class in zone 1, Medallion members in zone 2 and everyone else in zones 3 and 4. Beginning on Thursday, Sky Priority eligible customers (BusinessElite, First and Business Class customers; Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members; SkyTeam Elite Plus members) will board in zone 1, Silver Medallion and SkyTeam Elite members will continue to board in zone 2 via the Sky Priority designated lane and everyone else will board in zones 3 and 4. Anyone that is able to board in zones 1 or 2 may board at any time after their original boarding zone has been called by using the Sky Priority boarding lane.
- Baggage handling – if you checked a bag with us we added a yellow Sky Priority tag identifier to help us get your bag to the carousel first, but you should know that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes; our station managers have the reporting tools to see irregularities quickly, identify trends and work with ground staff to solve problems as soon as they see them. Some of you have noted that priority bag service has improved significantly since we renewed our training efforts in January – we continue to reinforce the importance of this service to our employees each day. We are already seeing better bag results by scanning all bags on to the plane, off the plane, and onto the bag belts. This helps us track the baggage process much more closely than in the past.
- Service recovery – sometimes things don’t go as planned in this business. We know that. We also know that Sky Priority customers have a higher than average chance of experiencing irregular operations than less frequent travelers as a matter of basic statistics. To help, we included dedicated lines at our Need Help Centers and Baggage Service Offices to reduce the negative impact to the travel experience while you are in the airport.
For those of you attending the Delta Mini-DO in Atlanta on April 24, I look forward to hearing your personal accounts and suggestions over dinner.
SkyMilesInsider
I for one don't object and am supportive of DM, PM and GMs boarding in Zone 1. If it becomes too unmanageable then I'd put GMs in Zone 2. Closer management by GAs as a poster previously mentioned would be helpful and prevent the early line ups. I have to believe all Medallions regardless of status are respectful of those in F and don't use those overhead bins when seated in Y. Not saying this doesn't happen but have to believe these people are people that are boarding in later zones and take advantage of the opportunity when they see space available, has nothing to do with boarding early.
I haven't had to use the IRROPS phone line but I must say I have been pleased with the DM line the one time I had an issue this year. Although I was provided an upgrade on my international flight (which I appreciate), my baggage did not make it to it's destination in Kiev, Ukraine for 2 days even though I had 2.5+ hour layover before the international flight.
Apr 10, 2010, 2:26 pm
#133
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Also, with a little effort everyone can find a way to use your miles efficiently. This has nothing to do with the award calendar, so please stop spoiling every little bit of good news...
Apr 10, 2010, 2:36 pm
#134
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
As far as the drink coupons go, do they really have that many drinks available on a flight? Think about it, if a standard cross country flight has 16 FC seats and there are another 20 Medalion members in the back, are they going to have 36 cans available? That is if they just have 1 drink each. I wouldn't want to be the FC flight attendant and have to explain to someone who paid for FC, that they are out of beer!!
Free wireless is a better option!!!
Free wireless is a better option!!!
Apr 10, 2010, 2:48 pm
#135
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
Free wireless would be great, but I'm sure there are some strings right now with GoGo/AirCell that make it cost-prohibitive at this time. Needless to say, that could change in the future.