Originally Posted by gogreyhound (Post 20065926)

This is obviously a back door way to kill off rollover miles, touted as such a munificent gesture and a big difference between SM and other programs just a couple of years ago. I have 15,000 rollovers right now, so one flight to NRT would make me FO on miles but leave me well short on MQDs. Why didn't DL just be up front about getting rid of rollovers?
Also, I guess mileage run will now be redefined as anything at least 10 cpm.

Originally Posted by Medeski (Post 20071113)

Why is the dollars an employer spends on travel less important than the dollars one spends out of their own pocket? Both are finite and both have rules for use (employer paid travel usually has very specific rules while my pocket has rules about how much I spend on travel.)

Those who have made comments about employer paid travel dont show a good understanding of how corporate america travel has changed in the last couple of years.

Originally Posted by Ebes1099 (Post 20071906)

The fact of this whole debate is that the business travelers are the ones who complain all the time about the ranks being flooded and all the "elites" that game the system to achieve their status. They feel superior to the leisure travelers that find the cheap flights and spend $3k to get 75,000+ miles. Even though that leisure traveler is spending $3k of their own money and doing it on their own time. Unlike the business traveler who is not paying out of their own pocket for their ticket and is probably getting paid while they travel.

Yes, I know. Business travel is a lot of hard days, but don't act like you people who do it don't like it. So you don't get any pity from us leisure travelers. Plus, you've all got a choice of getting a job that doesn't require travel.

Originally Posted by FlyDeltaJets87 (Post 20071974)

And this mostly leisure traveler recognizes the fact of this debate is many of those who spend $3k for 75,000 MQMs can't handle that they're not as important to DL as someone spending $15K for the same amount of MQMs, and DL is finally making it obvious. Delta doesn't care whether you pay for a ticket or your employer pays for it, just as long as someone is paying for it. You have customer A who generates $15k in revenue. You have customer B who generates $3k in revenue for the same amount of product. Unless customer A is a real pain in the butt, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who is more valuable to the bottom line. It may hurt some feelings, but that's life.

Originally Posted by Ebes1099 (Post 20072022)

No doubt that is true. It's easy to see. But, those business travelers aren't the valuable customers. The company footing the bill is the valuable customer. So the individuals shouldn't act entitled and superior. They are most likely replaceable. Iin Deltas eyes, the company will be buying those tickets whether its that specific employee or the one they hire to replace that person.

Originally Posted by Ebes1099 (Post 20072022)

No doubt that is true. It's easy to see. But, those business travelers aren't the valuable customers. The company footing the bill is the valuable customer. So the individuals shouldn't act entitled and superior. They are most likely replaceable. Iin Deltas eyes, the company will be buying those tickets whether its that specific employee or the one they hire to replace that person.

Originally Posted by skchin (Post 20072045)

We still have 1.5 years to reach the 6M MQMs to receive the lifetime DM.

Originally Posted by flightline (Post 20071141)

Really, the worst part of this for some is the major reduction in MQM earnings on partners. For those who travel internationally a lot, this will hurt and make it much harder to qualify.

Originally Posted by DLroads (Post 20071960)

Hi all,

Request (and I pledge to do the same as well)- Can we attempt to remain on topic and minimize the number of sarcastic notes towards fellow FTers?

The thread is already near 700 posts in half a day. It is very hard for any external reader (or even a regular reader) to follow.

Originally Posted by coinboy66 (Post 20071042)

Dear Delta,

My name is CoinBoy66 and I am a Platinum Medallion member who paid no more than $3000 for my 75,000+ MQMs. I am a PhD student studying Aviation Management at a major American university.

It's true...I am a heavy user of LUT fares and I have had some wonderful mileage runs. But there is another side.

I'm part of a Delta family - all 5 of us are Delta Medallions. I'm Platinum, my father is Diamond, and my two siblings and mother are Silver.

I am a frequent e-mailer of comments. Both good and bad. When I see something great, or experience great service, I want you to know it so you can spread the word to your employees. When I see something bad, I want you to know it so you can make sure it doesn't happen again. I never ask you for compensation - I often specifically tell you I don't want it. In fact, when I do e-mail you with negative comments, I am always very clear to tell you that my loyalty is not in question.

You e-mail me with surveys about your flights. I always take the time to answer them thoroughly and carefully. You ask for feedback in-flight when I fly with personal entertainment and I do it.

I step up to bat for you, Delta. When my friends and family need to book tickets, you are unconditionally the first place I turn. When people consult me for travel, I am undoubtedly biased toward Delta. Although I pay less than $3000 for my status, the amount of indirect revenue Delta gets from my support far exceeds the new thresholds you have put forth.

There is a huge difference between your best customers and your highest revenue customers. But your new policy says: Coinboy66, If you don't pay us more money, you are worthless to this airline.

I understand why you have to re-frame what is essentially the "elimination of riff-raff" under the guise of "making medallion status more exclusive." But with an increase of qualification requirements, why is there no matching increase in benefits? Essentially you are telling us: "Our elite services are great. We just have too many people using them." If that's the case, then what's with continuing the host of other policies that facilitate achieving elite status? Again, this comes down to what it means to be loyal. It sure seems like your loyalty to American Express has elevated to point where it is now at the expense of your loyalty to your passengers.

Delta has had a lot of reasons to celebrate this year. Delta management has had some major achievements. The new Latin American headquarters, the purchase of the oil refinery, the re-investment in cabin enhancements, the most advanced Safety Management System in the US, and so on. Unfortunately, this new policy is not one of them. Even if this policy is successful in thinning out the elites, it negatively impacts the SkyMiles program and poisons not only many of your current frequent flyers, but also discourages future flyers.

I know you're a business and you care a lot about the bottom line...but that's not the Delta spirit I've come to respect you for. May I make a suggestion? At least consider grandfathering in the current or historical medallions under the no-MQD system as long as they continue to keep earning their status. It would be a great way to avoid turning your back on some truly loyal fliers who wouldn't do it to you.

If loyalty to you is only measured in dollars and cents, then we simply aren't operating on the same level of "mutual respect" that Richard Anderson assures me exists at the beginning of every flight. But that's exactly what the new rules convey.

I always used to tell you that my loyalty was never in question...and now this new policy is telling me in no uncertain terms I was never loyal in the first place. I hope you reconsider this new policy in its current form. Please don't let $4000 of MQD ruin this Delta family. Please let me continue to support Delta and fly Delta 100% of the time. Please let me continue to brag to my colleagues about Delta's innovative and progressive approach to air travel.

Keep climbing,

CoinBoy66

Originally Posted by DLroads (Post 20071960)

Hi all,

Request (and I pledge to do the same as well)- Can we attempt to remain on topic and minimize the number of sarcastic notes towards fellow FTers?

The thread is already near 700 posts in half a day. It is very hard for any external reader (or even a regular reader) to follow.