Skymiles Change Rumor?
Mar 21, 2012, 10:43 am
#631
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: DM
Posts: 1,067
BTW- for better or worse, Skymiles, as all FF programs, are revenue based. Airlines just chose a way to calculate revenue based on metrics, rather than real dollars. Inside the offices of Virginia ave miles are spoken of as revenue and they know what they are worth.
Mar 21, 2012, 10:44 am
#632
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DL-PM
Posts: 863
Maybe I'm an outlier, but I would love to see a change in the way status is calculated. FWIW, I have just started flying DL and flown 24 segements (12 round trips and 13K MQMS) since Jan 1 which have all been M class typically booked 1-2 days prior to travel. ATL based doesn't help nor does travel mostly to to MCO, JAX, or TPA, however my $$$ has been $8,800 thus far (avg $750/RT fares)and I am 50% on middle seats with most seats assigned at the gate. I doubt they would prefer for me to split for warmer waters.
Mar 21, 2012, 10:46 am
#633
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MID
Programs: Delta Skymiles Lifetime Silver, Delta MM, Lifetime Marriott Plat, Lifetime Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 366
I'm not sure if I'm a fake Diamond or not. I just ran the numbers YTD for my Delta travel and the results are:
Business travel- $3933.03, 14,816 MQMs, 20 MQS, $0.27/MQM
Leisure travel- $1070.89, 25,044 MQMs, 8 MQS, $0.04/MQM
I guess if you were to extrapolate, My spending should be about $20K at the end of the year at the current rate.
Business travel- $3933.03, 14,816 MQMs, 20 MQS, $0.27/MQM
Leisure travel- $1070.89, 25,044 MQMs, 8 MQS, $0.04/MQM
I guess if you were to extrapolate, My spending should be about $20K at the end of the year at the current rate.
It would be interesting to start a separate thread working off of this one where we all shared what we expect our status to be and how much we expect to spend on Delta by the end of 2012.
Mar 21, 2012, 10:46 am
#634
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: DM
Posts: 1,067
Maybe I'm an outlier, but I would love to see a change in the way status is calculated. FWIW, I have just started flying DL and flown 24 segements (12 round trips and 13K MQMS) since Jan 1 which have all been M class typically booked 1-2 days prior to travel. ATL based doesn't help nor does travel mostly to to MCO, JAX, or TPA, however my $$$ has been $8,800 thus far (avg $750/RT fares)and I am 50% on middle seats with most seats assigned at the gate. I doubt they would prefer for me to split for warmer waters.
Mar 21, 2012, 10:50 am
#635
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
Mar 21, 2012, 10:52 am
#636
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
There has been a lot of talk of HVCs throughout this thread yet none of us knows what it really takes to reach that level. Granted there are some outliers here who have shared extraordinary spending for a year but I'm assuming the majority of us are much closer to each other.
It would be interesting to start a separate thread working off of this one where we all shared what we expect our status to be and how much we expect to spend on Delta by the end of 2012.
It would be interesting to start a separate thread working off of this one where we all shared what we expect our status to be and how much we expect to spend on Delta by the end of 2012.
Mar 21, 2012, 11:11 am
#637
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ATL/LAX
Programs: Delta Diamond 2MM, AA EXP
Posts: 703
There is much the same discussion going on right now on the Lufthansa Miles and More Forum regarding changes on tap by LH management.
Bait:
2nd Tier status has a REDUCED Mileage requirement. Earning Top Tier miles within two calendar years will in future be rewarded with two eVouchers for upgrades to the next highest service class.
Switch:
Only First and Business class tickets will be counted towards Top tier status
No mileage or voucher upgrades from discounted business fares. Lower credited mileage for discounted business fares.
How would this forum react if only Business fares counted towards Diamond and Platinum qualification with lower earnings even when flying in business?
Outrage?
Lufthansa is putting it into action. Status based on spending. They are not raising redemption levels as we speculate Delta will, however the earning possibilities are being reduced.
Delta may (will) follow, so I think this is the direction for all airlines. Which companies will stay with the classic format? I can see the advertisments “we reward your LOYALTY!”
BURN YOUR MILES!
Is Goldman Sachs an airline consultant?
Bait:
2nd Tier status has a REDUCED Mileage requirement. Earning Top Tier miles within two calendar years will in future be rewarded with two eVouchers for upgrades to the next highest service class.
Switch:
Only First and Business class tickets will be counted towards Top tier status
No mileage or voucher upgrades from discounted business fares. Lower credited mileage for discounted business fares.
How would this forum react if only Business fares counted towards Diamond and Platinum qualification with lower earnings even when flying in business?
Outrage?
Lufthansa is putting it into action. Status based on spending. They are not raising redemption levels as we speculate Delta will, however the earning possibilities are being reduced.
Delta may (will) follow, so I think this is the direction for all airlines. Which companies will stay with the classic format? I can see the advertisments “we reward your LOYALTY!”
BURN YOUR MILES!
Is Goldman Sachs an airline consultant?
Mar 21, 2012, 11:13 am
#638
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 96
I resemble that remark. I flew 147 segments last year, mostly 4-segment round trips from $250-$500. Total Delta spend in excess of $17k. I guess that makes me a sLUT, and I am sure there are some HVCs that will look down upon me as I scarf down my Biscoffs with my UG. I chose Delta several times over cheaper alternatives b/c I knew I was likely to UG and in order to maintain my DM status. I suspect there are a lot more of me out there --especially domestic flyers --than the $50k-$100k spenders. I am loyal to Delta primarily for the UG availability (and I have not seen the deterioration this year that some others have seen). I'm not going to declare that I'm outta here; I'll wait to see what the program means for me. That's what it will come down to -- individuals deciding their future loyalty based on what the "enhanced" SkyMiles will mean to them. Delta will make the decisions they think are best for their business, and I will make the decision best for me.
I am glad these potential changes have been brought to my attention in advance so that I can start looking into other Airline's frequent flyer programs...that way if/when Delta releases information about the changes, I will be prepared to compare the different programs and decide which is best for me (either stick with Delta or move to a different airline)
Mar 21, 2012, 11:14 am
#639
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA | IAD | BWI | BOS | OSL
Programs: AMEX Plat, AA EXP, DL Diamond Medallion, US, B6, SPG Gold,Marriott Gold,Hilton Gold,Starbucks Gold
Posts: 1,388
I read through 17 pages of this forum before chiming in. Thank you for helping me waste entirely way too much time on a rumor.
Here are a few thoughts:
For me, I'm not sure how I'll fare, if you'll pardon the pun. Almost all of my 2011 travel was either A or S fares (discounted first/BE) or F fares on AS. Based on that pattern, I'd do well. This year, I'm not flying nearly as much, and I'm typically flying on domestic K fares with one or two TATL S fares. I will easily make FO in the existing program. But it'll be a stretch for me to make GM.
Here is the thing: If I really want to fly in the front of the plane, I'll have to spend the money. If the program changes as expected, it could be rough. I could stop flying today and Delta wouldn't miss me. There are customers who give them MUCH more business than I do.
Here are a few thoughts:
- First, this hasn't been published, so anything could change at any moment. Yes, there is enough "evidence" to make us think this is a done deal, but nothing has been announced yet.
- Does this crowd normally get this worked up over rumors? Sheesh!
- For those of you who say that Delta doesn't value your business, hogwash. They value your business, but they value the business of someone who spends more money than you even more.
- The whole idea of a frequent flyer program was to give people a reason to keep coming back. What Delta is allegedly doing is kind of brilliant. They're going to reward their biggest spenders with the biggest rewards. Those are the people you WANT to keep coming back and NEVER going to your competition. If you don't spend as much, you'll not get rewarded as much. They're effectively removing the incentive to do mileage runs.
- The premium customers who buy YBMJAF fares are the ones who pay the bills. Those customers who buy LUT fares? They're called gravy.
- Those of you who are canceling your AMEX cards and burning your bras, I have three words: knee jerk reaction.
For me, I'm not sure how I'll fare, if you'll pardon the pun. Almost all of my 2011 travel was either A or S fares (discounted first/BE) or F fares on AS. Based on that pattern, I'd do well. This year, I'm not flying nearly as much, and I'm typically flying on domestic K fares with one or two TATL S fares. I will easily make FO in the existing program. But it'll be a stretch for me to make GM.
Here is the thing: If I really want to fly in the front of the plane, I'll have to spend the money. If the program changes as expected, it could be rough. I could stop flying today and Delta wouldn't miss me. There are customers who give them MUCH more business than I do.
Mar 21, 2012, 11:16 am
#640
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ATL/LAX
Programs: Delta Diamond 2MM, AA EXP
Posts: 703
I'm not sure if I'm a fake Diamond or not. I just ran the numbers YTD for my Delta travel and the results are:
Business travel- $3933.03, 14,816 MQMs, 20 MQS, $0.27/MQM
Leisure travel- $1070.89, 25,044 MQMs, 8 MQS, $0.04/MQM
I guess if you were to extrapolate, My spending should be about $20K at the end of the year at the current rate.
Business travel- $3933.03, 14,816 MQMs, 20 MQS, $0.27/MQM
Leisure travel- $1070.89, 25,044 MQMs, 8 MQS, $0.04/MQM
I guess if you were to extrapolate, My spending should be about $20K at the end of the year at the current rate.
You would certainly be a valued customer to DL however 20K PA would not put you in the top bracket IMHO.
Mar 21, 2012, 11:19 am
#641
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 96
I resemble that remark. I flew 147 segments last year, mostly 4-segment round trips from $250-$500. Total Delta spend in excess of $17k. I guess that makes me a sLUT, and I am sure there are some HVCs that will look down upon me as I scarf down my Biscoffs with my UG. I chose Delta several times over cheaper alternatives b/c I knew I was likely to UG and in order to maintain my DM status. I suspect there are a lot more of me out there --especially domestic flyers --than the $50k-$100k spenders. I am loyal to Delta primarily for the UG availability (and I have not seen the deterioration this year that some others have seen). I'm not going to declare that I'm outta here; I'll wait to see what the program means for me. That's what it will come down to -- individuals deciding their future loyalty based on what the "enhanced" SkyMiles will mean to them. Delta will make the decisions they think are best for their business, and I will make the decision best for me.
I am glad these potential changes have been brought to my attention in advance so that I can start looking into other Airline's frequent flyer programs...that way if/when Delta releases information about the changes, I will be prepared to compare the different programs and decide which is best for me (either stick with Delta or move to a different airline)
Mar 21, 2012, 11:21 am
#642
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
It seems to me that to roll this out and continue to do FCM is that DL is shooting itself in the foot.
I can easily save $200 and up on flights right now buying A/P vs. B/Y and I don't have to wait for battlefield, I get SkyPriority, free luggage and I have no need to get any status at all.
So why would I try to achieve any status it only gives me a few extra benefits (SWU's etc) and I actually lose one (picking my seat early).
I can easily save $200 and up on flights right now buying A/P vs. B/Y and I don't have to wait for battlefield, I get SkyPriority, free luggage and I have no need to get any status at all.
So why would I try to achieve any status it only gives me a few extra benefits (SWU's etc) and I actually lose one (picking my seat early).
Mar 21, 2012, 11:22 am
#643
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ATL/LAX
Programs: Delta Diamond 2MM, AA EXP
Posts: 703
Or in other words, it seems that DL is getting rid of the ham in the ham sandwich - the middle layer, and will be only left with a thin top (a few real HVCs) and then the very bottom (low(est) value price sensitive Joe Blow flyers with zero loyalty and who make their decision based on a $0.50 price difference).
I think this is exactly what DL wants.
Seems that DL doesn't realize that "you can't make a ham sandwich without the ham" (the ham being the majority of the current 'gamer' Medallions), nor that needing to fill the remainder of the seats with Joe Blow flyers will inevitably end up devaluating the program and the experience for HVCs, who are not bound to feel good seeing that the pax next to them paid many fold less than they did, as DL had to drop the price (more than before, as it has few loyal pax left) to fill the empty seats closer in.
I think this is exactly what DL wants.
Seems that DL doesn't realize that "you can't make a ham sandwich without the ham" (the ham being the majority of the current 'gamer' Medallions), nor that needing to fill the remainder of the seats with Joe Blow flyers will inevitably end up devaluating the program and the experience for HVCs, who are not bound to feel good seeing that the pax next to them paid many fold less than they did, as DL had to drop the price (more than before, as it has few loyal pax left) to fill the empty seats closer in.
Mar 21, 2012, 11:37 am
#644
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Thus, the rumor mill shall continue to grind......
Mar 21, 2012, 11:42 am
#645
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
It seems to me that to roll this out and continue to do FCM is that DL is shooting itself in the foot.
I can easily save $200 and up on flights right now buying A/P vs. B/Y and I don't have to wait for battlefield, I get SkyPriority, free luggage and I have no need to get any status at all.
So why would I try to achieve any status it only gives me a few extra benefits (SWU's etc) and I actually lose one (picking my seat early).
I can easily save $200 and up on flights right now buying A/P vs. B/Y and I don't have to wait for battlefield, I get SkyPriority, free luggage and I have no need to get any status at all.
So why would I try to achieve any status it only gives me a few extra benefits (SWU's etc) and I actually lose one (picking my seat early).
Good for DL.