Eventually yes. But you can still select the regular SWU's for your 2014 benefit (until Mar 1). If you selected on Feb 29, they would expire Feb 29 2015. You could then book a K fare just before they expire at ~11 months out and have them apply the SWU to theoretically be upgraded on a flight in January 2017.

I fly the route a lot and I think it's an overall improvement to the program. Sucks that comp upgrades are gone and only Diamonds can use their certs going forward. But it's totally understandable considering the product and length of the flight. The benefits of being able to use the certificates on cheap fares is much more an improvement than the loss of UG's on a select route.

What I would really have liked is seeing them remove the limit of one companion. As long as it's on a single reservation, I think we should be able to use as many certificates as we have available to UG all parties.

Very aware of the fact. Cab price is just about the same to the city as well.....

Yeah, this is a pretty big mid-course devaluation for affected flyers. This change shouldn't take effect until 2015 (and as you say should be RUC eligible).

But as usual I won't hold my breath.

Not sure why you think that less people will be using the global upgrades than there have been using PU503s and miles to upgrade. With the new global upgrade certs valid from any fare class (vs K+ or M+ for PU503s), I would think that now it will be significantly more pax trying to use the global upgrades (as many seem to foolishly think that it's an improvement, but IMO net it's a downgrade, as it's less certs, and with any fare class will result in a lot more pax competing for very scarce OP/RP space, into which there is now zero visibility and transparency), while the inventory pool for that is ever diminishing.

+:
* any fare class

-es:
* less certs given
* total lack of transparency for RP/OP (no options to see availability before purchase, thus not knowing which date to plan the travel, with EF visibility into that gone)
* other pax think it's a "great benefit" and thus competition for scarce RP/OP space will get even worse, with (I suspect) most in the end hoping to get upgraded at the gate (which rarely goes well and without some shenas - IMHO amounting to a needlessly stressful and combative experience, as likely a few pax all awaiting their global upgrade yelling at the GA and each other, trying to battle out who gets the last open BE seat and who doesn't, given the lack of transparency into upgrade priorities for that)
* if flying AF or KL need B+ high fare
* if flying AF only valid for flights from US48 to/from CDG and not any others

NO, DL first removed OU/RU (free elite upgrades) from EF and then a bit later took away OP/RP (upgrades with instruments) too.

These changes really make me sick. Really sick.

As an NYC based PM flyer that always travels to the west coast, the possibility of upgrades on those routes (to LAX, SFO and SEA) really kept me flying Delta. Not anymore.

So as a PM, if I want to upgrade from JFK to LAX my only option will be to use miles? Now I can't even use my SWUs (that were a choice benefit before) on these routes? And flying through ATL, DTW, SLC or even MEM isn't going to work for me. I'm not gonna waste my time connecting.

Disgusting!

Agreed - very positive

Absolutely

That is a minor change IMHO but certainly one month less is one month less.

Agreed - see above

\

That is how I read it yes.

[QUOTE=CoMooter;21942141] SWU's were always a bit of a joke ('fish wrapper' in the old days) but now they might be worth something.

More importantly, I see these improvements as a direct shot at UA and how they have ran their program into the ground. Essentially, 1K is now a (VERY) distant third behind either EXP or DL DM. I know this is the DL board, but I am sure that UA's MP department is less than thrilled with this announcement.

With these changes DL seems to understand it is a competitive marketplace, AA still seems to as well. UA on the other hand seems to be finding new and interesting ways to drive many of their best customers away as the last couple of weeks have just reinforced.
All in all, good job DL![/QUOTE]

Agreed ^

Now the upgrades are at least on par with United and possibly AA with Global Upgrades being the Delta-equivalent of eVIPs for AA.
Having tons of regional upgrades being handed out will most likely make it a lot more difficult to even get Medallion Upgrades domestically, however.

Also, how will "Regional Upgrades" be ranked with higher priority? Will a PM using regional upgrade trump a DM on Medallion Upgrade?

I can see it now...

"Delta Website Crashes Due to Overload of the BUY MQM Page"

Cha-ching DL.... Now how many people may reconsider buying the MQMs they need....

Everyone on here that feels the same way about this transcondebacle needs to let DL know. I've already called, emailed, tweeted. I know they also follow this board, but we need to get everyone we can out there on them.

Love this! I can use the global upgrades on my South America and Transatlantic trips. Thank you, Delta.

As a SEA-based flyer, do you actually have other comparable choices? Honest question. Those of us in LA and SF have other choices, but UA/AA/B6 don't do premium SEA transcon service.

So my question, now that you can use a Global cert to upgrade TPAC, does there still need to be OP available to use them, and if so, how so we find out if there is indeed OP available.

Why will fewer be used? Well, let's see.

a) Platinums don't get access at all, compared to getting 4x SWUs now.
b) Diamonds get 4 instead of 6.
c) Some Diamonds will maybe take Regionals, which means even fewer.

At the end of the day there will be a lot fewer Global certificates in circulation, which means there are fewer to use, which means there are fewer to compete with.

I am hardly surprised about the move, but also disappointed. I would agree that making the transcon upgrades more restrictive would have been fair - say K+ or regional - but this is Draconian. Of course DL could scale back and be like 'oh we listened to your feedback' ha

Count me in with those who see this as less of a positive move: as a JFK-SFO/LAX/SEA flyer mainly, I guess I will be crafty in how I use the global UG certs (open jaws and stopovers)

I would consider using miles if there is a priority associated with that the day of departure. Because we know it will be a cold day in hell before a mileage upgrade clears in advance on a transcon.

I will also look for WFBF offers. Not necessarily on Delta though.

Finally, the alternatives, especially to Seattle, are measly. AA has ONE flight a day. B6 has two or so? 12 hours apart. While it is tempting to give them a shot, it is hardly comparable to the service or the DL frequency.
UA and AS have the pleasure of EWR. That's a nope.

So I guess, I will be doing DL when price and schedule permits. I do not see me buying up to K+ though... unless the mileage upgrade thing works.

Also did you notice that ATL-HNL is also global-upgrade required now too? Enjoy.

p.s. if i end up going the mileage upgrade route, DL should be assured that any glitch, travel inconvenience, and shenanigan - that I am slipping by now - would be reported and pushed until miles appear in the account