SDC rules change April 16; Increased restrictions incl same fare bucket availability
Apr 3, 2013, 5:16 pm
#496
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Apr 3, 2013, 5:21 pm
#497
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Apr 3, 2013, 10:52 pm
#498
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Very true. I expect them to continue to push the revenue envelope as far as possible. Why? Because they can. There is a point where people just won't pay anymore, but apparently that point has not been reached yet.
This is what you get with oligopolies. Consolidation is great for senior execs and sometimes stockholders, but usually is not beneficial to consumers (unless you like paying higher prices for less service levels).
This is what you get with oligopolies. Consolidation is great for senior execs and sometimes stockholders, but usually is not beneficial to consumers (unless you like paying higher prices for less service levels).
Apr 4, 2013, 5:55 am
#499
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April 4th and still no official announcement?
Apr 4, 2013, 6:01 am
#500
Join Date: Aug 2008
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^ you are correct.
No...
They will just let the changes hit with no official announcements until after...
They will just let the changes hit with no official announcements until after...
Last edited by Canarsie; Apr 4, 2013 at 11:18 pm Reason: Consolidation.
Apr 4, 2013, 7:01 am
#501
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
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I agree. In a few years AA will likely have their act together and will be a much better competitor in NY (my home base), but for now DL is overall better and taking advantage of it. But some of these things they are doing can damage trust and goodwill among their elites. They are mistaken if they think all these moves/changes will be forgotten, e.g. they can just reverse them when the competition recovers. So in two years AA is a solid alternative, I'd be much more inclined to jump, and for me and my experience, the trust and competence (aside from in-flight) factors with Delta have started to come down after decades of flying with them (not exclusively).
Last edited by TrojanTraveler; Apr 5, 2013 at 8:14 am
Apr 4, 2013, 7:08 am
#502
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
I wonder if anyone could shed some light on 2 scenarios....
Scenario #1...SDC is not available at all in my fare bucket for an earlier flight so I can only be added to standby list at the airport not over the phone ? true or false?
....but then how to upgrades work if I'm standing by on a coach ticket I may or may not have previously been upgraded on...yes, I give up my upgrade if I clear the earlier flight...but do I clear and get then added to the upgrade list on the new flight or do they work the upgrades just for the people orginally CONFIRMED on the new flight ?
Scenario # 2 say i'm going CAE-ATL and then ATL-FLL and the fare bucket is not available on the first leg so I standby and clear...but the fare bucket is available on the second leg...and CAE-ATL is a short flight ,can I now SDC in the 3 hour window while still on the ground in CAE ? and in the case of longer 1st leg flights once I land after the 1st leg, run to a gate and get SDC to the second leg where the bucket is available???
Scenario #1...SDC is not available at all in my fare bucket for an earlier flight so I can only be added to standby list at the airport not over the phone ? true or false?
....but then how to upgrades work if I'm standing by on a coach ticket I may or may not have previously been upgraded on...yes, I give up my upgrade if I clear the earlier flight...but do I clear and get then added to the upgrade list on the new flight or do they work the upgrades just for the people orginally CONFIRMED on the new flight ?
Scenario # 2 say i'm going CAE-ATL and then ATL-FLL and the fare bucket is not available on the first leg so I standby and clear...but the fare bucket is available on the second leg...and CAE-ATL is a short flight ,can I now SDC in the 3 hour window while still on the ground in CAE ? and in the case of longer 1st leg flights once I land after the 1st leg, run to a gate and get SDC to the second leg where the bucket is available???
Your second question gave me a popsicle headache!
Apr 4, 2013, 8:26 am
#504
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You have discovered an example of bombast built upon a foundation of hypocrisy.
Do you suppose the individual suspects that his cover has been blown?
Apr 4, 2013, 11:55 am
#505
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Apr 4, 2013, 10:45 pm
#506
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Apr 4, 2013, 10:46 pm
#507
Used to be 'flymanbeast'
Join Date: Jul 2011
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I bet you they gave up about it
Apr 5, 2013, 3:59 am
#509
Used to be 'flymanbeast'
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Delta silver/marriot platinum
Posts: 2,795
I mean are they gonna announce it on the 16th that it is starting on the 16th? seems a little late to announce it now. I bet ya they have not changed the software to adapt to this new sdc rules yet.
Apr 5, 2013, 5:48 am
#510
Join Date: Oct 2001
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The more I think the new SDC changes through...the more most of it makes since from a revenue perspective for Delta...the trick is to still balance the integrity of medallion benefits especially Diamond and Platinum benefits versres Delta's desire of increased revenue....
First from the revenue side...
1.Delta wants to hold back the last 2 or 3 Y or F seats for last minute sales at high fares...makes sense...Diamond on down can still get them by standby if they don't sell...i'm OK
2.Delta wants the masses to be able to standby and pay $50 if they clear..Diamond, Platinum, Gold clear first and for FREE..I'm OK
3.SDC confirm window opens greater than 3 hours for Diamond , Platinum and Gold and on flight with a few extra seats , for $50 you get a jump on everyone else and you get added to the upgrade list....want the headstart pay $50...
kinda OK(should possibly be free for at least Diamond..after all Diamond is supposed to have extra benefits)
4. SDC still allowed for free for Diamond, Platinum and Gold in the 3 hour window as long as there are more than a couple remaining seats left...this assumes all fare buckets open up...higher status is getting the jump on all the $50 standbys...I'm OK but it hinges on the fare buckets opening in the 3 hour window..I'm OK
Secondly, the benefits still look intact, just Delta has some additional ways to increase revenue on last day sales. The economy is better and things do change.
You have to look at this objectively from both sides...Delta should increase revenue to make it stronger and to buy new aircraft and at the same time balance out it's benefits for it's top elite flyers on down....
If Delta were to put out a chart showing the SDC benefits and standby benefits by Medallion level going forward...it would certainly provide more clarity....
First from the revenue side...
1.Delta wants to hold back the last 2 or 3 Y or F seats for last minute sales at high fares...makes sense...Diamond on down can still get them by standby if they don't sell...i'm OK
2.Delta wants the masses to be able to standby and pay $50 if they clear..Diamond, Platinum, Gold clear first and for FREE..I'm OK
3.SDC confirm window opens greater than 3 hours for Diamond , Platinum and Gold and on flight with a few extra seats , for $50 you get a jump on everyone else and you get added to the upgrade list....want the headstart pay $50...
kinda OK(should possibly be free for at least Diamond..after all Diamond is supposed to have extra benefits)
4. SDC still allowed for free for Diamond, Platinum and Gold in the 3 hour window as long as there are more than a couple remaining seats left...this assumes all fare buckets open up...higher status is getting the jump on all the $50 standbys...I'm OK but it hinges on the fare buckets opening in the 3 hour window..I'm OK
Secondly, the benefits still look intact, just Delta has some additional ways to increase revenue on last day sales. The economy is better and things do change.
You have to look at this objectively from both sides...Delta should increase revenue to make it stronger and to buy new aircraft and at the same time balance out it's benefits for it's top elite flyers on down....
If Delta were to put out a chart showing the SDC benefits and standby benefits by Medallion level going forward...it would certainly provide more clarity....
Last edited by robnsfla; Apr 5, 2013 at 5:51 am Reason: spelling