Skymiles Change Rumor?
#76
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS/1MM,AS 75k,NK GLD,AA 2MM,DL 2MM,LH FT,AY PLT,IC RA,FMT LT PLT,HYT GLB,HLT DIA,MRT GLD,HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,229
Boy, do I feel like a fool....
#77
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Northwoods
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 705
Didn't take me long to leave behind my UA 1K status a few years back. It will take me even less time to leave DM behind if this program devalues any more. (Already unhappy that I'm well inside the UG window and looking at two virtually empty FC cabins and an empty V bucket. Welcome FCM, so long "loyalty" program.)
#78
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
#79
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
Many of us have been speculating about the demise of rollover since shortly after it was implemented. We all know nothing is "assured" with airline FFP's.
#81
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BOSish
Programs: DL PM / MM, Nat'l EE
Posts: 449
As someone who has reached DM the past two years on 75+% leisure travel (and who enjoys the journey just as much as the destination) I'm quite confident that I will be switching my discretionary $$ to another carrier or (ghasp!) my savings account. Hurry up and make your announcement Delta, I need to plan my summer travel; hopefully with, but possibly without you!
#83
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southwest Florida
Programs: AA lifetime Gold , DL Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 572
If I can’t maintain my GM status the way I have been doing it if DL changes the program, then both AA, where I have lifetime Gold status and JetBlue will be getting all the business from me and my family.
I think you will see a large defection of lower level elites from DL, a lot of us out there can’t make elite by flying on more than one airline, but if DL makes it impossible for us to maintain elite, then I see no reason to fly exclusively DL again.
It doesn’t make sense, even though the HVC customers bring in more money, they don’t fill the airplane, it’s the people in the back who make or break a flight profit wise, so chasing away lower level elites to me makes for bad business, because those seats will not be filled up by anyone else.
Mr. Elliott
I think you will see a large defection of lower level elites from DL, a lot of us out there can’t make elite by flying on more than one airline, but if DL makes it impossible for us to maintain elite, then I see no reason to fly exclusively DL again.
It doesn’t make sense, even though the HVC customers bring in more money, they don’t fill the airplane, it’s the people in the back who make or break a flight profit wise, so chasing away lower level elites to me makes for bad business, because those seats will not be filled up by anyone else.
Mr. Elliott
#84
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,677
The "Keep Digging" campaign. All kidding aside, I'll reserve judgement until the details are released. I think Delta is a good airline with bad redemption opportunities. IF this devalues other parts of the FFP, for the average Joe it is going to hurt DL. I doubt DL picks up many new HVCs as a result of adifferet FFP approach, but it sure could disenfranchise a lot of people.
Last edited by El Boocho; Mar 19, 2012 at 2:29 pm
#85
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,055
As someone who has reached DM the past two years on 75+% leisure travel (and who enjoys the journey just as much as the destination) I'm quite confident that I will be switching my discretionary $$ to another carrier or (ghasp!) my savings account. Hurry up and make your announcement Delta, I need to plan my summer travel; hopefully with, but possibly without you!
#86
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL Diamond, Sky Club, United Club, Admirals Club, Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 613
I have an advanced degree in Telephone. Since it is a rumor it may have gotten its genesis in speculation, which is often but not always generated by occurrences unrelated to the subject of the rumor. Telephone research indicates that 1) what you heard is sometimes not what was said; 2) what is heard is subject to exaggeration by the person repeating it; and 3) the topic can be embellished for reasons known only to the embellisher, ranging from a desire to appear erudite to pure spite and anything in between or outside of that range.
Personally I don't think they will get rid of SkyMiles. But they may change the MQM program. Some people can become PM or even DM without spending much with the airline - credit cards alone could push someone to gold or higher, then a couple of cheap international flights (think, LAX to Europe at 12,000 each trip. or JFK to Jakarta for a heck of a lot more) gets them to PM or even DM. The person who flies a short haul a couple times a week can't get to DM on segments or miles and yet spends far more in dollars, and in time.
Considering that United has a very elite program known as Global Service - which is above the 1K - it is possible that DL could inflate the ranks of PM and DM by adding a money factor to it, while tacking on a GS type service where. DM has some perks but from what I understand its not the same. What I wouldn't do to avoid waiting in lines... Just signed up for Global Entry doing my interview this week, and paid for Clear (but haven't completed the process yet, will do it in NYC next month) even though I haven't been in a Clear airport in 18 months...
Personally I don't think they will get rid of SkyMiles. But they may change the MQM program. Some people can become PM or even DM without spending much with the airline - credit cards alone could push someone to gold or higher, then a couple of cheap international flights (think, LAX to Europe at 12,000 each trip. or JFK to Jakarta for a heck of a lot more) gets them to PM or even DM. The person who flies a short haul a couple times a week can't get to DM on segments or miles and yet spends far more in dollars, and in time.
Considering that United has a very elite program known as Global Service - which is above the 1K - it is possible that DL could inflate the ranks of PM and DM by adding a money factor to it, while tacking on a GS type service where. DM has some perks but from what I understand its not the same. What I wouldn't do to avoid waiting in lines... Just signed up for Global Entry doing my interview this week, and paid for Clear (but haven't completed the process yet, will do it in NYC next month) even though I haven't been in a Clear airport in 18 months...
#87
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
So what is DL's definition of loyalty? Is it someone who flies DL exclusively at whatever fare DL chooses to offer (yes, LUTE), or is it someone who splits time among carriers but pays higher fares (K and up)?
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Experience over the last 18 to 24 months would suggest that waiting to respond to a program change is doomed to failure.
Waiting until they have announced these changes and put them in effect (or, as they prefer to do it, put them into effect and then announce them) gives them the momentum.
Once they have momentum, we are hosed.
Perhaps we should go out pre-emptively.
Instead of a reactive SSM II, we need a proactive DSSM (Don't Screw-Up Sky Miles) program.
OK... I'll increase my ante to $250.
Waiting until they have announced these changes and put them in effect (or, as they prefer to do it, put them into effect and then announce them) gives them the momentum.
Once they have momentum, we are hosed.
Perhaps we should go out pre-emptively.
Instead of a reactive SSM II, we need a proactive DSSM (Don't Screw-Up Sky Miles) program.
OK... I'll increase my ante to $250.
#89
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
Intrusive thoughts are often accompanied by paranoia, and this combination can have a big effect on OCD sufferers. They tend to increase over time, becoming more frequent and intense. In many cases, compulsions are performed to reduce the anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts and paranoia.
#90
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823