Skymiles Change Rumor?
May 18, 2012, 10:24 pm
#2237
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,953
Revenue-based FFP? I'll cut my travel budget to the bone. FFPs are part off the reason I travel as much as I do. Whack that and I'll spend a lot more money on non-airline-related interests.
May 19, 2012, 2:40 am
#2238
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
the award calendar is your priority, not theirs.
Theirs is, or should be, increasing the number on the bottom line and they have come to the conclusion that the current system fosters too many low value Medallions occupying, in this environment, too many seats at low fares.
This is the reality, this is IMO the way it will go with every airline company and we will just need to learn how to deal with it.
Theirs is, or should be, increasing the number on the bottom line and they have come to the conclusion that the current system fosters too many low value Medallions occupying, in this environment, too many seats at low fares.
This is the reality, this is IMO the way it will go with every airline company and we will just need to learn how to deal with it.
If a person's only goal is to make money, but he doesn't respect others and rarely keeps his promises, do you want him to be your friend?
May 19, 2012, 2:58 am
#2239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
There's a simple way to deal with an airline whose only priority is to make money and who doesn't respect the customers: don't fly it. It's not like there's no other options.
If a person's only goal is to make money, but he doesn't respect others and rarely keeps his promises, do you want him to be your friend?
If a person's only goal is to make money, but he doesn't respect others and rarely keeps his promises, do you want him to be your friend?
May 19, 2012, 5:21 am
#2240
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: | *G | STE | HGP ♦ | SPG Au | MR Au
Posts: 3,772
....Loyalty programs are likely one of the next major changes for many airlines within the next few years. Southwest Airlines already has changed theirs, and the size of Delta necessitates lean operations. Remember, this is the airline that purchased an oil refinery so they are definitely creative in how they analyze their operations.
Delta, and all other airlines, need to remain profitable, and this will help efficiency by creating a revenue based mileage program. I don't scorn Delta as they are looking to remain in business. Mileage runs are a good thing, but they may be a thing of the past.
Delta, and all other airlines, need to remain profitable, and this will help efficiency by creating a revenue based mileage program. I don't scorn Delta as they are looking to remain in business. Mileage runs are a good thing, but they may be a thing of the past.
I will say that while I agree that airlines will need to look at the mileage program. However, the first legacy which takes the first step, into a points program is also the one taking the largest risk. I agree with bfxfd, spiff & blug:
As another poster said airlines will be shooting themselves in the foot if they implament a revenue based system. I understand that the airlines want to reward their best customers ie high spenders. However, they are forgetting the lower spenders who help fill up the seats and are brand loyal because of the FFP. I am not a huge spender burning haven't flown a non ST airline in years. That's because I dont mind the skymiles program and have had good redemptions. But if the miles weren't a factor I would have flown the cheapest and the most convenient. The airlines are forgetting that there are people like me who are nearly blindly loyal however that can change very quickly.
There's a simple way to deal with an airline whose only priority is to make money and who doesn't respect the customers: don't fly it. It's not like there's no other options.
If a person's only goal is to make money, but he doesn't respect others and rarely keeps his promises, do you want him to be your friend?
If a person's only goal is to make money, but he doesn't respect others and rarely keeps his promises, do you want him to be your friend?
It seems DL is also tight lipped on these rumors by being very quite. This thread's lack of activity recently is proof of that and what DL wants.
Last edited by DHalltheway; May 19, 2012 at 5:27 am
May 19, 2012, 5:38 am
#2241
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
the award calendar is your priority, not theirs.
Theirs is, or should be, increasing the number on the bottom line and they have come to the conclusion that the current system fosters too many low value Medallions occupying, in this environment, too many seats at low fares.
This is the reality, this is IMO the way it will go with every airline company and we will just need to learn how to deal with it.
Theirs is, or should be, increasing the number on the bottom line and they have come to the conclusion that the current system fosters too many low value Medallions occupying, in this environment, too many seats at low fares.
This is the reality, this is IMO the way it will go with every airline company and we will just need to learn how to deal with it.
May 19, 2012, 7:20 am
#2242
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
If "some of us have already left" why are they still on here whining?!
I left AA years ago and see no need to go on that board and brag about it!
(and if the mass exodus posters on here want to claim has occurred had actually happened I would br upgraded every time so.....)
I left AA years ago and see no need to go on that board and brag about it!
(and if the mass exodus posters on here want to claim has occurred had actually happened I would br upgraded every time so.....)
May 19, 2012, 8:15 am
#2243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,278
Plus I enjoy flying Delta, so part of me hopes we're wrong, even though deep down I know better.
May 19, 2012, 8:38 am
#2244
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dublin
Programs: Delta SKYMILES GM 1MM, BRITISH AIRWAYS GOLD, HHONOURS DIAMOND, PRIORITY PASS
Posts: 1,055
As someone who has no access to earning miles or MQMs via credit card, maybe I should welcome this.
I spend about $15,000 (DL & AF) a year on Tickets and have been a Platinum for 10 years in a row, 88K MQM so far this year.
Any Idea how much spend would qualify one for Platinum under the new system?
I spend about $15,000 (DL & AF) a year on Tickets and have been a Platinum for 10 years in a row, 88K MQM so far this year.
Any Idea how much spend would qualify one for Platinum under the new system?
May 19, 2012, 9:28 am
#2245
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta, SPG
Posts: 547
Eye of the storm people.
May 19, 2012, 10:16 am
#2246
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: | *G | STE | HGP ♦ | SPG Au | MR Au
Posts: 3,772
Plus, I already have flights planned on DL this year before this rumor even surface!
As it stands, I am scheduled to get at least another 100K miles this year, even though I've stopped booking tickets for 2 mths.
As someone who has no access to earning miles or MQMs via credit card, maybe I should welcome this.
I spend about $15,000 (DL & AF) a year on Tickets and have been a Platinum for 10 years in a row, 88K MQM so far this year.
Any Idea how much spend would qualify one for Platinum under the new system?
I spend about $15,000 (DL & AF) a year on Tickets and have been a Platinum for 10 years in a row, 88K MQM so far this year.
Any Idea how much spend would qualify one for Platinum under the new system?
Nobody knows the actual levels, but 15K a year has been liken to chum change on this board. The flyers that will reap the most are the $100K plus flyers. But even they may find their earnings diluted.
Consider, generously, you earn a 20% rebate on your dollar value. That is $3,000 value in points for your 1 year spent! That is not enough to even get 1 (non-sale) TATL J class ticket. This is the points system being employed SouthWest, Jetblue, and AirTran.
Last edited by DHalltheway; May 19, 2012 at 10:33 am
May 19, 2012, 10:29 am
#2247
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
In theory CX and AA would work. But aside from my aforementioned dislike of multi-carrier itineraries, CX is usually a lot more expensive and AFAIK provides no easy way to upgrade cabins such as the SWU. (I'd be happy to be informed otherwise.)
I usually buy M fares and upgrade to J with SWUs or miles. I assume this makes me a profitable passenger for DL, but I have no data to back up this assumption. If under whatever new system is implemented, I do not reach a medallion tier where I can get SWUs, I will probably just start buying the cheapest fares I can find, and not even necessarily on DL. I am sure DL doesn't care about one customer's plans, but hopefully they are taking scenarios like this into account.
May 19, 2012, 10:47 am
#2248
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: | *G | STE | HGP ♦ | SPG Au | MR Au
Posts: 3,772
For me it's just that DL serves my needs best. I mostly fly TPAC from HKG and usually have multi-city itineraries with several domestic stops. I have had enough bad experiences with airlines supposedly in the same "alliance" not actually providing customer service/assistance to one another's passengers that I prefer an airline with a route network both TPAC and within the US. That leaves me with UACO and DL. UACO is a mess due to the merger and I wasn't a big fan of United even before the current mess. So DL it is.
In theory CX and AA would work. But aside from my aforementioned dislike of multi-carrier itineraries, CX is usually a lot more expensive and AFAIK provides no easy way to upgrade cabins such as the SWU. (I'd be happy to be informed otherwise.)
I usually buy M fares and upgrade to J with SWUs or miles. I assume this makes me a profitable passenger for DL, but I have no data to back up this assumption. If under whatever new system is implemented, I do not reach a medallion tier where I can get SWUs, I will probably just start buying the cheapest fares I can find, and not even necessarily on DL. I am sure DL doesn't care about one customer's plans, but hopefully they are taking scenarios like this into account.
In theory CX and AA would work. But aside from my aforementioned dislike of multi-carrier itineraries, CX is usually a lot more expensive and AFAIK provides no easy way to upgrade cabins such as the SWU. (I'd be happy to be informed otherwise.)
I usually buy M fares and upgrade to J with SWUs or miles. I assume this makes me a profitable passenger for DL, but I have no data to back up this assumption. If under whatever new system is implemented, I do not reach a medallion tier where I can get SWUs, I will probably just start buying the cheapest fares I can find, and not even necessarily on DL. I am sure DL doesn't care about one customer's plans, but hopefully they are taking scenarios like this into account.
Like you said CX does not give SWUs, but from what I understand they do Op-ups quite regularly. But they don't work with your multiple-city itineraries. While I understand your concerns regarding UA (I am flying UA now), you don't really have much options available to you.
Unless you are willing to give up:
Award trips redemption.
Mileage Running. (though at closer to 5cpm, I hardly view myself as a true Mileage runner)
These two combined were the last straws for me to hedge myself.
May 19, 2012, 10:54 am
#2249
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
Good news for NonRevs -- with no pesky medallions cluttering up the BE cabin there will be plenty of seats up front for them!
May 19, 2012, 11:37 am
#2250
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
+1. Exactly same here. I am thinking that this will be my last year of as much work (revenue) travel as it's been over the last ~decade (following years will be much, much less), and then next year will be the last year of any major award travel (booked this year, while I still can). Well, may be one or two more years of award travel, with still valuable AA miles + great-for-short-flights on JL, CX &c. BA miles. But last year of award travel on SkyTeam, surely 2013.