SDC fare code question
 

Anyone notice lately that when you do a SDC and get put into a higher fare class that now you aren't getting the miles for that class? For example, purchased a K fare, SDC to a B fare. A month or two ago, I received 50% bonus for B fare. Last two SDC when going into a premium fare it would show on my mileage statement purchased K, flew B, and no bonus miles. Delta finally closed the loop on this?

Delta is tracking your fare basis for mileage earning, not the class into which you get booked. The only way to earn the additional mileage is to have an agent erroneously SDC you onto a Y, B or M fare basis, which is rare in my experience.

That loophole closed beginning of 2011.

It use to be buy cheap fare, SDC and get reticketed to Y, tada, 150%MQM bonus!

I don't think even SDC will erroneously book into Y any longer. There's still a random set of events that will allow IRROPS to book into Y, but even in those cases, IT glitches are few and far between. Mileage now posts base on "fare paid" as opposed to fare flown.

Just happened Monday this week, again last week. Went to Y fare monday, M fare last week. No more 50% bonus. Loophole wasn't closed in 2011, because all of 2011 received the bonus and also received bonus in first part of 2012. 35 segments already this year SDC changed to Y B M on about 5 or so. This may give merit to the change in the skymiles program in another post.

There are instances where a flight may have positive space for sale, but the system won't process a SDC. When I've encountered this, most agents will switch me to another flight, but it has required them to change the fare basis to force the SDC through. The new fare basis will be recognised as the "paid" fare on the account statement.

Fare basis ≠ the single letter under "class" on the boarding card.

The good old days. Now there are those now and then that somehow get rebooked wrong, but those are far and few in between.