"Changes coming next Spring"
Oct 3, 2013, 6:46 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
You nailed it. I spend a lot of money with Delta and put $60K on my Reserve card because the better % of upgrades as a PM (and hopefully this year as a DM) are worth it to me. When I travel for leisure, I buy the cheapest fares far in advance. I usually get upgraded on those weekend flights. Those upgrades are a big part of why I usually overpay for Delta flights, for both business and leisure travel, versus cheaper ones on Airtran/SW out of Atlanta. (Interestingly, I get far fewer upgrades on my business trips, no doubt because more DM and PM road warriors fly during the week.)
If Delta wants me to downgrade my AMEX to the minimum required for free bags, not spend a dime on that AMEX, and start buying every ticket based solely on price, all they have to do is make upgrades only for K and above. I'll pour my credit card spend into a better rewards program than Delta Skypesos.
If Delta wants me to downgrade my AMEX to the minimum required for free bags, not spend a dime on that AMEX, and start buying every ticket based solely on price, all they have to do is make upgrades only for K and above. I'll pour my credit card spend into a better rewards program than Delta Skypesos.
Oct 3, 2013, 10:38 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Ridiculous. I have clear 3 out of 4 upgrades at the window to/from LAX in the last 10 days. The one I didn't, I didn't make at all.
Oct 3, 2013, 10:39 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
DL doesn't fill F with window upgrades; they have a good idea how many last-minute F and Y purchases are likely to happen.
Oct 3, 2013, 10:55 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,269
Sometimes. And sometimes they're pretty terrible at it. My last flight with DL was on a mad dog. Plane went out with 35 out of 144 seats in coach occupied. DL still felt the need to keep 13 F seats (out of 16) open right up to the gate. I nearly turned down the UG so I could take a full row of 3 seats in the back.
Oct 4, 2013, 12:19 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
LAX-MSP/DTW have been occasionally at the window but mostly at 3-4 days.
Oct 4, 2013, 12:51 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, AMEX Business Platinum, AMEX Delta Reserve, DL SkyClub Member, Choice PM
Posts: 2,218
A couple of 'frontline employees' said that there is likely to be a full renaming of the status medallion levels ... no more Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond but something else from a nomenclature perspective.
Take it for what it is worth!
Take it for what it is worth!
Oct 4, 2013, 1:12 am
#53
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
I had a "frontline employee" tell me in MSP that DL was moving its headquarters to MSP from ATL, because rent was cheaper. Had another in MEM tell me they we going to expand MEM to take pressure off ATL.
Had a FA tell me DL was closing SLC as a hub and moving it to LAS.
I took these statements for what they were worth. I always get my FACTS from FA's and "frontline employee's". They are in the know.
Oct 4, 2013, 1:28 am
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
"Changes coming next Spring"
I guarantee there will be changes next spring. I am very confident that:
-- the days will get longer and the sun will rise higher in the sky
-- it will get warmer
-- it will rain more and snow less
-- flowers will bloom
-- another baseball season will begin
*Subject to continued orbit of earth around the sun. Not responsible for precession of earth's axis of rotation. Applicable in northern hemisphere only. Terms and conditions may apply.
-- the days will get longer and the sun will rise higher in the sky
-- it will get warmer
-- it will rain more and snow less
-- flowers will bloom
-- another baseball season will begin
*Subject to continued orbit of earth around the sun. Not responsible for precession of earth's axis of rotation. Applicable in northern hemisphere only. Terms and conditions may apply.
Oct 4, 2013, 3:29 am
#56
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
Oct 4, 2013, 9:39 am
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Fly paid F and J. AA EXP. DL PM.
Posts: 407
Changes are coming. Delta will continue to offer complementary space available upgrades to all Medallions. However it will simply be a marketing tool. In reality Delta is trying to attract and retain high value customers. The new "enhanced" algorithms will attempt to get more high value -- FCM, fare and status -- customers into the First cabin leaving less PMs, GMs, and FOs up front. Look for even more "at gate" upgrades and fare exclusions. Say hello to Economy Comfort.
2015 will look and feel different.
2015 will look and feel different.
Oct 4, 2013, 9:53 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Sunday to Thursday SLC-IAH-SLC travel this week on CR9 cleared at the window.
Thursday afternoon DTW-MSP travel two weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
Monday afternoon SLC-MSP travel three weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
Thursday afternoon JFK-SLC travel four weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
I don't doubt that some people and some routes only clear at the gate but the vast majority of my upgrades this year have been at the window.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:15 am
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Fly paid F and J. AA EXP. DL PM.
Posts: 407
For the last month...
Sunday to Thursday SLC-IAH-SLC travel this week on CR9 cleared at the window.
Thursday afternoon DTW-MSP travel two weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
Monday afternoon SLC-MSP travel three weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
Thursday afternoon JFK-SLC travel four weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
I don't doubt that some people and some routes only clear at the gate but the vast majority of my upgrades this year have been at the window.
Sunday to Thursday SLC-IAH-SLC travel this week on CR9 cleared at the window.
Thursday afternoon DTW-MSP travel two weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
Monday afternoon SLC-MSP travel three weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
Thursday afternoon JFK-SLC travel four weeks ago on a 738 cleared at the window.
I don't doubt that some people and some routes only clear at the gate but the vast majority of my upgrades this year have been at the window.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:35 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809