2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:04 pm
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,163
JFK to LAX, SFO, SEA
They're pretty hard, but I've gotten a number of them (20%, at a guess, as a Diamond on typically T fares or so).
The neat thing for DL is that the Regional Certificates are meaningless: they shuffle the priority order for upgrades, that's all. The Global ones (or SWUs) actually affect the number of butts in J.
The neat thing for DL is that the Regional Certificates are meaningless: they shuffle the priority order for upgrades, that's all. The Global ones (or SWUs) actually affect the number of butts in J.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:05 pm
#257
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
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The DM, because there most likely won't be advance inventory and mile upgrades don't transfer to the gate... so the DM with the upgrade instrument that is usable at the airport wins by default.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:08 pm
#258
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It's rare that there are more than 2-6 DMs on my international DL flights; and I fly internationally on DL way more than I fly DL domestically.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:10 pm
#259
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Less info for consumers = more opportunity for revenue management.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:10 pm
#260
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 90
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:12 pm
#261
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: KANSAS CITY
Programs: DL DM, MARRIOTT AMBASSADOR LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 453
I seem to see a lot of DM tags on my flights to Europe. I believe there are more than you think. I always think it is odd that I see people with Diamond tags on their briefcases. Especially now that they don't even have your FF# on them(different subject) Again, I think everyone is discounting these Middle Eastern airlines. I believe they will be the major competition for AA, Delta, and UA in the future. Will keep them in line for international and also soon trans cont.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:13 pm
#262
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Also, UA allows RPUs to be used for p.s. flights JFK-LAX/SFO.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:20 pm
#264
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,900
I think it is all based on travel patterns.
If I was using my SWUs to upgrade on AF PE to Biz, I go from having 10 SWUs as DM to 4 GMUs now.
We have seen several examples above where the change is detrimental.
A few HVC DMs may benefit on their yearly international leisure trip with a companion by using 4 GMUs applicable on any fare. The rest ?
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:23 pm
#265
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
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The last remaining hurdle for Delta is award ticket redemption. Fix the technology there and loosen up the award inventory a bit, and Delta will unexpectedly be the proud owners of the top frequent flier program in the US (if not the world). Who would have seen this coming a few weeks ago?
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:24 pm
#266
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: AA EXP, UA Gold/MM, DL Plat/2MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil
Posts: 4,679
As amolkold said, 4 SWUs that can be applied on nearly any fare class is huge for me. Having said that, 4 is a pretty small number and would go quickly since I've been flying 150-200K per year the last several years. UA gives 6 at 100K and then 2 additional for every 50K after that. Thinking more about it, if I fly 200K miles next year, I'd rather have 10 UA's W+ fare-restricted SWUs than 4 of DL's nearly unrestricted SWUs.
Of course other FF benefits and product quality factors come into consideration too. But this will make me re-consider who to primarily fly next year, along with whatever changes UA makes.
Of course other FF benefits and product quality factors come into consideration too. But this will make me re-consider who to primarily fly next year, along with whatever changes UA makes.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:30 pm
#267
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,437
This route was not 25K each way.. still 12.5k each way AFAIK. But it does not matter....I've tried and never been able to use mileage upgrades on this route. I really hope this changes and that they also start allowing mileage upgrades to be processed at the gate.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:31 pm
#268
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 90
Introduce Regional Certs to steer people away from $200 vouchers. Use that money, now that M fares are no longer required, to partially satisfy DMs with Global certs on international flights.
Is it that simple? Does this new model, in totality, bring DL more money than SWUs?
Is it that simple? Does this new model, in totality, bring DL more money than SWUs?
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:33 pm
#269
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I seem to see a lot of DM tags on my flights to Europe. I believe there are more than you think. I always think it is odd that I see people with Diamond tags on their briefcases. Especially now that they don't even have your FF# on them(different subject) Again, I think everyone is discounting these Middle Eastern airlines. I believe they will be the major competition for AA, Delta, and UA in the future. Will keep them in line for international and also soon trans cont.
A lot of the DM tags on cabin bags are tags from a prior DM year and sometimes even from relatives.
The US airlines don't consider the MEA airlines to be as major a competitor in the way the European and some (i.e., the more eastern) Asia/Pacific airlines do. The TATL and TPAC JVs allowances which the government has granted them do make the MEAs somewhat more of an issue, but the US airlines worry more about the other US airlines and their ATIed JV partners than they do about foreign carriers in general or MEA in specific when it comes to FFP changes.
Dec 10, 2013 | 8:34 pm
#270
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
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