2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 10, 2013 | 10:22 pm
#287
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Dec 10, 2013 | 10:31 pm
#288
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Dec 10, 2013 | 10:35 pm
#289
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
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So, I fly 2-3 extremely cheap international vacation runs every year (I have lots of vacation time and lots of hotel points) that are usually V fares. This gets me the MQMs I need for DM. I've never done a transcon (but I will be doing one the middle of next year that is already booked) because I'm MSP based and I don't have business on the East Coast.
So, I very well could use all 4 of my GUs on my cheap TATL/TPAC trips I take during the year and I have the added benefit of being eligible for upgrades to Hawaii.
But, I think overall this stinks. Way more people get screwed than benefit. I also think the JFK thing is going to bite them in the ....
Dec 10, 2013 | 10:46 pm
#290
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,688
So Delta spends the last few months getting us all excited about the new changes to BE on domestic transcons, and now says--no more upgrades, and you're going to have to burn your global systemwides to actually enjoy a Medallion benefit to this new service. Then they go all Scrooge with the amount of certificates allotted as choice benefits. All this after I finally master how to burn a traditional systemwide upgrade!
Dec 10, 2013 | 10:58 pm
#291
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27,014
I suspect that getting upgrades to Hawaii will be difficult as first class nearly always sells out given the large amount of honeymooners and folks starting their vacation in FC prior to heading to one of the luxury resorts.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:03 pm
#292
Join Date: Jan 2010
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I've noticed that too on my one trip to HNL. But what's it like on Mondays and Fridays? I would assume most folks in the above situation are traveling on weekends.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:05 pm
#293
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If my brain is still working right, these two instruments have never overlapped before since the certs require LUTXV fares and the old SWUs required K+ on domestic.
If they combine, I would almost certainly consider taking the RMUs over the $200 credit.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:06 pm
#294
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 1
Had to sign in to post....
As someone who just hit DM, the reason I did so and was loyal was for the SFO/SEA > JFK redeye flights, with the chance at the upgrade. Flying from to, my choice is the redeye on B6 non-stop, or the red eye to JFK > leave the nice terminal to take a bus for my connection > fly to Boston. The occasional upgrade made that worth it. No longer.
The GU certs are nice, and I'll use them. But will start looking at other options and whether or not I will remain with Delta. At the very least, Delta will be losing $$ from my pocket in 2014 due to these changes.
As someone who just hit DM, the reason I did so and was loyal was for the SFO/SEA > JFK redeye flights, with the chance at the upgrade. Flying from to, my choice is the redeye on B6 non-stop, or the red eye to JFK > leave the nice terminal to take a bus for my connection > fly to Boston. The occasional upgrade made that worth it. No longer.
The GU certs are nice, and I'll use them. But will start looking at other options and whether or not I will remain with Delta. At the very least, Delta will be losing $$ from my pocket in 2014 due to these changes.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:11 pm
#295
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
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Posts: 27,014
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:21 pm
#296
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
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I suspect pretty busy on Mondays. Lots of Sunday weddings in Los Angeles. We occasionally fly over on Friday and return on Mon or Tues. FC always seems to be full and not very good, at least on the 757 to KOA. Our most recent trip about 8 weeks ago was on HA. Really good economy service, including complementary hot meal and wine
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:32 pm
#297
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SMF
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Posts: 416
Can't agree with you more. Inventory and the ability to easily see what is available made using an upgrade instrument bearable. Weather the changes to the SWU benefit are positive or negative all comes down to inventory. Time will tell.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:36 pm
#298
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Super bad for those that are based in NYC and the left coast and travel between them. Many, like me, really could care less about this. However, these New York and Los Angeles are the two biggest markets in this country and, by far. I think they will have to scale back the restrictions here.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:44 pm
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Let's be real folks, let's look at these types of promises and track record from DL:
1. Introduction of 3 tier system Jeff says there will be "no" reduction in low inventory - hog wash
2. Era of integrating NWA and DL.com, award calendar fails to work. Empty promises of improvements and yet calendar is still broken
3. Two years ago the major poke in the eye of inability to upgrade on AF/KL essentially destroying the last good remaining value (for me) in the SWU. FF's have to resort to calling singapore to get availability before DL closed that "loop hole"
4. Removal of OU inventory on EF
5. Post merger major jackup of M fares
I'm trying to give DL the benefit of the doubt here, I really am. Sure HNL-WC flights are nice, but when was the last time you could redeem an ATL-HNL that wasn't a BF UG SWU UP2A situation? I can't remember the last time I was able to use an SWU. Are we really going to believe DL is making SWU's that easy?
RealHJ is seeing the true nature of the changes and new global upgrade certs. I also strongly believe that advance upgrade inventory will be extremely limited to non-existant in order to force everyone on the low fares to the gate lottery.
With RP/OP also being hidden, that gives DL the obviously opportunity to only clear advance upgrades for higher fares. Since the waitlist will be full of DMs, those on higher fares will be at the top and if DL released a seat, it goes to the pax who purchased an expensive fare anyway...
With RP/OP also being hidden, that gives DL the obviously opportunity to only clear advance upgrades for higher fares. Since the waitlist will be full of DMs, those on higher fares will be at the top and if DL released a seat, it goes to the pax who purchased an expensive fare anyway...
My current situation:
--I flew about 20 transcon segments (NYC-LAX/SFO/SEA) this year. All but one of them were upgraded, of course only last-minute at the gate after everyone had a chance to buy the seats. (So what is Delta really giving up?)
--Most companies, including mine, don't allow the purchase of business-class tickets on domestic routes, but they don't care what fare of economy I buy.
--I'd often wait until the last minute to buy transcon tickets, which benefited Delta quite a bit because I was paying on average ~$1,000 r/t. With a higher fare class, I was more likely to be upgraded with complementary upgrades or I could use one of the 10 SWUs granted every year.
New situation:
--No more complimentary upgrades NYC - LAX/SFO/SEA.
--New "Regional Upgrade" certificates not usable on this route either (!!!), despite it being domestic.
--Only new "Global Upgrades" usable on this route. Diamonds are to be granted only four per year.
Does Delta really think Diamonds like me are going to want to take 20 transcons per year and only have a shot at getting upgraded on four of them? Does Delta expect me as a busy person to waste time connecting in Salt Lake City or Atlanta on my transcons to have a shot?
These changes are a huge win for bargain-basement Diamonds who don't fly transcons frequently: Current SWUs that require very high fare classes are being replaced by (a small number of) Global Upgrades that are really usable.
For me the outcome is as follows:
--Will evaluate other options including AA (unlimited upgrades on this route for top tier) and UA (gives top tier a total of 12 certs usable on this route)
--When I do fly Delta, I no longer have an incentive to buy a K+ ticket. Will buy tickets where possible earlier and at far lower prices
--Will fly far fewer transcons PERIOD, because for people like me who take 80+ flights per year, spending 5 to 6 hours in coach twice a week is disaster.
--When I fly international, I will be out of Global Upgrades so probably won't fly Delta as much anymore even on my ~$4,000 coach tickets. Previously I had enough SWUs to upgrade these.
--I flew about 20 transcon segments (NYC-LAX/SFO/SEA) this year. All but one of them were upgraded, of course only last-minute at the gate after everyone had a chance to buy the seats. (So what is Delta really giving up?)
--Most companies, including mine, don't allow the purchase of business-class tickets on domestic routes, but they don't care what fare of economy I buy.
--I'd often wait until the last minute to buy transcon tickets, which benefited Delta quite a bit because I was paying on average ~$1,000 r/t. With a higher fare class, I was more likely to be upgraded with complementary upgrades or I could use one of the 10 SWUs granted every year.
New situation:
--No more complimentary upgrades NYC - LAX/SFO/SEA.
--New "Regional Upgrade" certificates not usable on this route either (!!!), despite it being domestic.
--Only new "Global Upgrades" usable on this route. Diamonds are to be granted only four per year.
Does Delta really think Diamonds like me are going to want to take 20 transcons per year and only have a shot at getting upgraded on four of them? Does Delta expect me as a busy person to waste time connecting in Salt Lake City or Atlanta on my transcons to have a shot?
These changes are a huge win for bargain-basement Diamonds who don't fly transcons frequently: Current SWUs that require very high fare classes are being replaced by (a small number of) Global Upgrades that are really usable.
For me the outcome is as follows:
--Will evaluate other options including AA (unlimited upgrades on this route for top tier) and UA (gives top tier a total of 12 certs usable on this route)
--When I do fly Delta, I no longer have an incentive to buy a K+ ticket. Will buy tickets where possible earlier and at far lower prices
--Will fly far fewer transcons PERIOD, because for people like me who take 80+ flights per year, spending 5 to 6 hours in coach twice a week is disaster.
--When I fly international, I will be out of Global Upgrades so probably won't fly Delta as much anymore even on my ~$4,000 coach tickets. Previously I had enough SWUs to upgrade these.
Same % for me. My UG % on the transcons has kept me extremely loyal to DL this year, minus some west coast AS runs.
Dec 10, 2013 | 11:55 pm
#300
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Currently, no upgrades on the BE transcons are cleared in advance of the gate, and mileage upgrade requests do not transfer over at T-24. For anyone who flies lots of these segments and wishes to "pay" to upgrade, choosing SWUs by 2/28/2014 may be a wise choice.
And this is a point that should NOT be under emphasized. DL has gone from probably the best in class re transcon UG's to worst in class. AA allows EXP unlimited UG's and the choice to use certs for higher priority. UA allows the use of RPU's or GPU's, and is WAY more generous in how many of these instruments you get.
Wow, this is a HUGE improvement to being a Diamond. Two years ago I moved almost completely to UA, mostly because of their much better SWU policy. There are other reasons why I thought UA was right for me -- and it has been -- but this, for me, is a game changer. I'll have to re-analyze this in the next few weeks. Who knows, I might move back to Delta.
Great comparison. And remember, RPU's do not work for transcons for DL, but they do for UA.
And really, let's call a spade a spade, the RPU is nothing more than a freebie CB for Delta (costs nothing to them). You feel better you get a higher priority on the UG WL, but DL would have filled that seat regardless with an elite upgrade and in the meantime eliminated the liability of one more CB asset.
