Originally Posted by BenA (Post 15500738)

Michelle, thanks for participating in the discussion! Unfortunately, this issue leaves me pretty seriously in the hole from a cost/benefit perspective. As chronicled here, I made the decision to go for Diamond status by booking an additional round trip (in the process committing to an additional 50k of flying next year to maintain my status) based on the observed behavior of the Choice Benefits system all year long. Had I known Delta was going to change this behavior, I would have redeemed miles for that ticket instead.

It certainly made sense to me intuitively I'd receive these benefits - as precedent, note that when I made Platinum a year ago late in the 2009 program year, I received a full set of 6 2009 SWU instruments immediately as was then the custom even though there was only one more month left in the year. It made sense to me that the direct replacement for SWUs would behave similarly.

One alternative request that would make things right for me, if you're unwilling to honor the 2010 Choice Benefits selection, would be if I could decline my Diamond status and roll over the balance of my MQM above the 75k Platinum threshold for the remainder of this year to 2011. I'd like to see that offered as an option - as documented by a detailed cost/benefit analysis in the thread I linked above, the benefits I receive under the new rules as Diamond are worth less to me than the rollover MQM I would otherwise have received as Platinum. Michelle/SMI, is it possible for this option to be available upon request for those of us who would prefer it? (Probably worth noting: I haven't redeemed my 2011 choices yet, so I'm not trying to pull any shenanigans from that perspective :))

I'm fine with this change being the new policy going forward in 2011 with proper and clear documentation on Delta.com. Unfortunately, for 2010, being affected by this change with only 20 days left in the calendar year really comes across as a huge slap in the face to those of us who have increased our commitment to flying Delta this year - and being coincident with the revelations about upcoming changes to the program from the investor's meeting, it couldn't be coming at a worse time. I'm surprised Delta is taking such a hard line approach rather than making this right.

Originally Posted by denizenxix (Post 15502561)

Is the discord we are hearing from Delta on this issue a result of them still trying to wade through the legal implications? Delta is certainly within their rights to change the program midstream and to do so unannounced - not a good business practice but still within their rights! I wonder though if legally they face a potential issue if they grant the PMs and DMs who are voicing their concerns (on this forum or to them directly), the 2010 Benefits, and don't extend the same Benefits to PMs and DMs who may not be aware of how the program operated up to 12/10? In other words, if they did it for us they'd have to do it for all other affected members. If this is indeed the case, Delta has decided its more cost-effective to piss off a small cadre of dissatisfied customers than to grant Benefits to all PMs and DMs who qualified after 12/10.

Originally Posted by dan88 (Post 15502418)

glitch!?? i really can't believe that's the official stance.

Originally Posted by dan88 (Post 15502418)

HORRIBLE way to treat customers, especially the best customers you have.

Originally Posted by dan88 (Post 15502418)

And so close to the end of the year, i can't understand why not just wait until jan 1 and make an official announcement on he change of policy for next year

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont (Post 15503067)

Just a quick question. How many of you who are whining about not getting two selections, one for 2010 and one for 2011, had already selected your benefits for your current 2010 level earlier this year or late last year.

I'm betting every one you got a chance to choose your 2010 benefits earlier this year..........

Originally Posted by dan88 (Post 15503155)

.... but pretty sure I don't fall into that group

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont (Post 15503067)

Just a quick question. How many of you who are whining about not getting two selections, one for 2010 and one for 2011, had already selected your benefits for your current 2010 level earlier this year or late last year.

I'm betting every one you got a chance to choose your 2010 benefits earlier this year..........

Originally Posted by dan88 (Post 15503155)

Huh? Not really sure what you are asking. I just made platinum for the first time, never had status at all before, never chose any benefit. Again, not sure i understand your question, but pretty sure I don't fall into that group

Originally Posted by PaulMSN (Post 15503498)

So you lost your bet. Pay up.

Originally Posted by fti (Post 15503527)

Most people don't understand his posts :D. So don't feel bad. No one who is posting on this thread already claimed a 2010 benefit since they are "newly minted" PM's/DM's.



Forget about paying up. I just wish there were a way to suppress a poster's posts when they are quoted by someone else. Unfortunately that is not possible (yet?).

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont (Post 15503067)

Just a quick question. How many of you who are whining about not getting two selections, one for 2010 and one for 2011, had already selected your benefits for your current 2010 level earlier this year or late last year.

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont (Post 15503601)

And some folks either don't read well or choose not to do so....

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont (Post 15503067)

I'm betting every one you got a chance to choose your 2010 benefits earlier this year..........

Originally Posted by longing4piedmont (Post 15503601)

And some folks either don't read well or choose not to do so....