Skymiles Change Rumor?
Mar 28, 2012, 4:16 pm
#1501
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Posts: 453
I COULD tell you, because I talked to someone who was in a meeting when this was adressed, but he asked me not to tell. But believe me, when I say, you would be shocked....take my word for it.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:21 pm
#1502
Join Date: May 2008
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Stepping back in for a moment ... I do hope that those that keep insisting on a 01 APR announcement realize that no company such as DL would ever, ever consider making such an announcement on 01 APR being April Fool's and all.
That's all - back to my double whiskey at the ES Manager's Reception. (Paging ThomasHudson and jsmith50)
That's all - back to my double whiskey at the ES Manager's Reception. (Paging ThomasHudson and jsmith50)
Mar 28, 2012, 4:28 pm
#1503
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
DL's plan spell the end of Skymiles as we know it.
I've sat quiet on this thread but will jump in on the "truth vs. rumor" controversy.
I'm very unhappy to share that the info in this thread is well-informed. DL intends to switch to a revenue based programs where earn and burn would both be revenue based.
I know no details beyond this, so can only join in the speculation. However, based on history, I would predict that the outcome will be very, very bad. Even for someone who flies on a lot of high $ tickets, this will be brutal b/c most of my redemptions are for very expensive long-haul premium cabin tickets. And always at "low" redemption tier. I'm confident that any fare-based redemption program will be an enormous devaluation.
What I know is the case: DL has done a lot of work to move in this direction. This I know as fact.
What I don't know but am reasonably confident on: They will indeed execute on the plan they've developed.
All the arguing above about which sources are credible and so on is academic. Not to boast, but if you question my credibility, read through my posting history for where I've "broken news" or confirmed things in the past. My track record is perfect. I hope to hell that the streak ends here.
Prediction: If other airlines don't follow, perhaps DL will have to backtrack to remain competitive. In that sense, it is just like fare hikes. If others follow suit, however, the whole FF game as we know it is changed forever, for the worse. In truth, we can just look to UA as the one that matters. If they follow, it's done. If not, there is some hope.
I'm very unhappy to share that the info in this thread is well-informed. DL intends to switch to a revenue based programs where earn and burn would both be revenue based.
I know no details beyond this, so can only join in the speculation. However, based on history, I would predict that the outcome will be very, very bad. Even for someone who flies on a lot of high $ tickets, this will be brutal b/c most of my redemptions are for very expensive long-haul premium cabin tickets. And always at "low" redemption tier. I'm confident that any fare-based redemption program will be an enormous devaluation.
What I know is the case: DL has done a lot of work to move in this direction. This I know as fact.
What I don't know but am reasonably confident on: They will indeed execute on the plan they've developed.
All the arguing above about which sources are credible and so on is academic. Not to boast, but if you question my credibility, read through my posting history for where I've "broken news" or confirmed things in the past. My track record is perfect. I hope to hell that the streak ends here.
Prediction: If other airlines don't follow, perhaps DL will have to backtrack to remain competitive. In that sense, it is just like fare hikes. If others follow suit, however, the whole FF game as we know it is changed forever, for the worse. In truth, we can just look to UA as the one that matters. If they follow, it's done. If not, there is some hope.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:33 pm
#1504
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Stepping back in for a moment ... I do hope that those that keep insisting on a 01 APR announcement realize that no company such as DL would ever, ever consider making such an announcement on 01 APR being April Fool's and all.
That's all - back to my double whiskey at the ES Manager's Reception. (Paging ThomasHudson and jsmith50)
That's all - back to my double whiskey at the ES Manager's Reception. (Paging ThomasHudson and jsmith50)
Mar 28, 2012, 4:35 pm
#1505
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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.
Prediction: If other airlines don't follow, perhaps DL will have to backtrack to remain competitive. In that sense, it is just like fare hikes. If others follow suit, however, the whole FF game as we know it is changed forever, for the worse. In truth, we can just look to UA as the one that matters. If they follow, it's done. If not, there is some hope.
Prediction: If other airlines don't follow, perhaps DL will have to backtrack to remain competitive. In that sense, it is just like fare hikes. If others follow suit, however, the whole FF game as we know it is changed forever, for the worse. In truth, we can just look to UA as the one that matters. If they follow, it's done. If not, there is some hope.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:40 pm
#1506
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
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Posts: 21,625
Smart managers will gather all the crucial facts before making a final decision on a major change. The odds of this change happening are not 100%. If DL decides not to change the program but to keep this study on the shelf for possible future use, we may never hear a peep from them officially.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:43 pm
#1507
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
For the record, I do believe and have said several times something's in the works. My fascination stems from the human behavior within this thread and a "why give 'em any information to use against pax?" belief.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:44 pm
#1508
Suspended
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Posts: 4,201
Agreed. For example, Southwest spent a lot of staff time and money in early 2007 studying assigned seating and programming that capability into their systems. Some believed that the decision had been made to proceed. Instead Southwest decided to implement numbered boarding, another system they had also tested.
Smart managers will gather all the crucial facts before making a final decision on a major change. The odds of this change happening are not 100%. If DL decides not to change the program but to keep this study on the shelf for possible future use, we may never hear a peep from them officially.
Smart managers will gather all the crucial facts before making a final decision on a major change. The odds of this change happening are not 100%. If DL decides not to change the program but to keep this study on the shelf for possible future use, we may never hear a peep from them officially.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:45 pm
#1509
Join Date: May 2008
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Posts: 743
Mar 28, 2012, 4:46 pm
#1510
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Planet Earth
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I find it interesting and informative that people are quick to flame and harass those of us that have sources at DL and so quick to dismiss that we're trying to provide what information we can, as it becomes available, that is helpful. Personally, I don't have to share anything from my friend on this board at all and I don't view it as an ethical dilemna to share what I have been told by him is specifically okay to post on this site. If I were a DYKWIA, I would simply say, I spend more than $100K per year with travel on DL, I fly >300K BIS miles and spend >$200K on my DL-branded AmEx card (usually paying for my DL travel) and I am sure that whatever the new structure is will benefit me just fine and walk away from this discussion. However, I'm not and I have maintained from the beginning of this thread that I think this situation and associated program changes sucks for all of us who fly DL, not just the FOs and kettles out there. I feel the OP's pain here that he posted that he'll be back after the announcement is made because he too was suitably flamed for sharing information from his sources as well.
In fact most of the poster who have contributed or confirmed the rumor are FT-er that have high regard for and always been helpful as they have access to insider information that more often than not comes to light eventually.
This. I know two things:
1. Delta's changes to SkyMiles in the past 12 months do not show a promising trajectory.
2. We're not likely to get much advance notice, if any, and just like the stock market, if you're acting on what everybody else already knows, you'll always be behind the wave.
So yes, this is all rumor and speculation, but unfortunately the shoe fits all too well and I have to make a bet. And that means covering myself. So I will continue to burn miles and divest myself of a large balance that I don't want to be stuck holding should it devalue. There's always the option to come back, but if you proceed ahead blindly faithful (or at least unconcerned until a formal announcement), it's harder to limit your pain if Delta swings the bat.
1. Delta's changes to SkyMiles in the past 12 months do not show a promising trajectory.
2. We're not likely to get much advance notice, if any, and just like the stock market, if you're acting on what everybody else already knows, you'll always be behind the wave.
So yes, this is all rumor and speculation, but unfortunately the shoe fits all too well and I have to make a bet. And that means covering myself. So I will continue to burn miles and divest myself of a large balance that I don't want to be stuck holding should it devalue. There's always the option to come back, but if you proceed ahead blindly faithful (or at least unconcerned until a formal announcement), it's harder to limit your pain if Delta swings the bat.
Mar 28, 2012, 4:56 pm
#1511
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
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I'm fascinated with the "I'll be happy if they only take this bit away from us" posts. My opinion is they better not take a damned thing away.
Mar 28, 2012, 5:03 pm
#1512
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,543
Mar 28, 2012, 5:05 pm
#1513
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Mar 28, 2012, 5:17 pm
#1514
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
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Posts: 2,530
Technically I think eliminating 'low' award redemptions would be exactly what you asked for...
Mar 28, 2012, 5:58 pm
#1515
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ireland, UnderH20, AUA, Brooklyn
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Posts: 2,191
It may have been posted so my apologies but SkyBonus is a revenue based system and it works... for me, at least.
YMMV
Despite my reluctance to believe rumors, there has been discussion of SkyBonus as a model.
YMMV
Despite my reluctance to believe rumors, there has been discussion of SkyBonus as a model.