matt5596

Great News ^

USAF_Pride

Thanks for at least fixing this portion. For the upgrades, it is quite simple; just do it the way NWA did it for years with no real complaints.

bearcat74

So how will we get the Medallion and companion listed for already booked LUT tickets (same PNR) which weren't originally because the second passenger was non-status?

bearcat74

Nevermind - went into the one itin I have with my wife as companion and there was now a checkbox to request the upgrade and when you check it a submit button appears. ^ to DL on this small change and it seems getting the IT right on it to make it easy.

mike_plat

Yup, that's what I'm seriously suggesting. Someone who is a 25K/year customer is still a better customer than your companion.

BNAChairman

Unless they revert to the old NW method of allowing companions to upgrade at the same window as the top tier traveling partner, this is really just lip service. No one will get two upgrades at the 12 hour mark, unless it's early morning travel on Christmas Day.

Scotty66

This is wonderful news and keep up the great advancements. Now please change the International upgrade policy for us Diamonds so we can upgrade off any fair like our competition.Then we will truly have the *BEST IN CLASS* Program hands down and no other FF Program will be able to compare to what SM has to offer. I am sure you will then see other top elites Status match to DL rather than the other way around.

Great Job Delta! Keep it up!

MikeyZBT

Great job, Delta! Thanks for the perk.

Not that it'll matter for me and my upgrade successes when we're BOTH GOLD... but it's nice to know it's there.

socrates

+1 this give back would certainly be welcomed

FlyingUnderTheRadar

Given the Delta's recent announcements that medallion benefits will be extended only to PAX on the same PRN as a medallion any thoughts of split PRN for upgrades is moot.

LUT inclusion aside, currently what happens is the status of the lowest person is used. Seriously do folks really think Delta is going to change it??? Look how many other IT issues they have to deal with that are much more serious and fundamental to keeping flyers happy.

That said I am curious to know how many folks actually roll the dice and try for an upgrade or split the PRN ? My guess is that given the demand for upgrades that the majority of folks split the PRN as for many, one known seat in the front is better than a poor chance at two.

BTW Speculation aside - do you folks really think that medallions are going to be happy if a non status companion gets an upgrade over them? Which is why I think the program is set up the way it is. If we want to speculate it would seem to me that companions should fight it out for the table scraps after all medallions have been upgraded. I.e, clear the medallions first as usual (sans companion) then clear non status companions using the same criteria used to clear the medallions.

i.e. Ranking:

Medallion #1
Medallion #2
Medallion #3

Medallion #1 - companion
Medallion #2 - companion
Medallion #3 - companion

Companions would always be cleared at the gate. And if an upgraded medallion really needs to sit with their companion who was not upgraded they can always give up their seat latter.

This scheme would preserve the medallion benefit while fairly extending to a companion. And most of all avoid having to play the split PRN game.

edscholl

i like this better than number 1. good job delta. :P

but yeah, number 2...

when the companion doesn't have status? yup.

USAF_Pride

Honestly, this is smoke and mirrors if they don't do it the NWA way. Sure, they may be eligible for an upgrade now, but will they ever get it?

jjglaze77

Thanks OHDL1 & SMI! I agree with most here that this won't amount to many (if any) upgrades for companions, but the ability to be on the list is a big plus! ^

I tend to agree with this generally, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that my wife & I had cleared at 12 hours out over the weekend. Saturday evening, MEM-MCO, oversold by 10ish. Obviously, mostly once / year leisure travelers, but it was still a pleasant surprise.

arunhn

Does anyone know if this would have any affect on the availablity of upgrade for the 'Free Companion Ticket' you get from AMEX? Those tickets have a purchase restriction of L U or T and so was never eligible for companion upgrades. Wonder if those will become eligible too now...

BusTrav8yrs

I agree, while I did like having the benefit, I don't think it is fair to other medallions.

That being said, since DL devalued Diamond by giving Plat's unlimited award changes it would make up for this to have Diamond companions clear at the 5 day window