2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 11, 2013 | 7:39 am
#346
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,545
Dec 11, 2013 | 7:40 am
#347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 17,186
Has anyone posted this thought? Now, EC on transcons to/from JFK - SEA/SFO/LAX will be filled with miserable DMs that would have normally have been upgraded to BE, and to a lesser extent, PM's as well. That means, less EC seats for DL to sell to the minions which translates into less revenue.
Quite frankly, unless DL takes the 76's off the LAX and SEA routes out of and into JFK, those BE cabins will most likely have lots of empty seats. Sans the occasional NRSA, I personally wouldn't waste a GC on a transcon, not when I can use it on JFK - SIN or any other TPAC/TATL flight.
Quite frankly, unless DL takes the 76's off the LAX and SEA routes out of and into JFK, those BE cabins will most likely have lots of empty seats. Sans the occasional NRSA, I personally wouldn't waste a GC on a transcon, not when I can use it on JFK - SIN or any other TPAC/TATL flight.
Dec 11, 2013 | 7:42 am
#348
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 17,186
For those thinking they will now use miles, how do you think this will happen? If you found it impossible to use your SWUs in the past, why would it suddenly become feasible to use miles, which don't go to the gate for UGs? My one complaint as a SWU user was risking sitting in the back when OP went to the gate and I'd forked out for an M fare. Now that this wrinkle is gone, do you not think that DL will now put most or all OP to the gate rather than releasing it in advance? After all, we're gambling only on a cheap fare now and will sit in the back without paying extra if the GU doesn't clear.
Dec 11, 2013 | 7:45 am
#350
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
that's a good question. If those routes are going out empty up front, then it would only be logical for DL to sell UG's at the gate for K+. Somehow, I doubt they will do that for the premium transcons
Dec 11, 2013 | 7:58 am
#351
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
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Dec 11, 2013 | 8:03 am
#352
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 2MM
Posts: 3,637
Would be nice to get a clarification, but I'm guessing the gift silver for plat and gift gold for Diamond Choice Benefits will remain. Some people will want to gift status for spouses who can no longer meet the MQD requirement.
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:04 am
#353
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
It's great that Delta is acknowledging the "valuable feedback" received from its best customers, while largely doing the opposite of what the feedback suggested.
Also it's pretty clear Delta doesn't care about its customers living outside the USA. What is now the benefit of being a PM for customers living overseas?
Last edited by HongKonger; Dec 11, 2013 at 11:54 am
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:08 am
#354
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 2MM
Posts: 3,637
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:12 am
#356
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
Will be interesting to see the changes in trafffic from JFK-LAX/SFO --> JFK-XXX-LAX/SFO as well as changes from ATL-HNL --> ATL-XXX-HNL.
I suppose it won't be possible to use a regional cert on a connecting route then SDC to the nonstop.
For the most part I don't think it will have much of an impact except on light travel days like saturday.
Wouldn't have minded getting 1-2 global certs as a PM.
I suppose it won't be possible to use a regional cert on a connecting route then SDC to the nonstop.
For the most part I don't think it will have much of an impact except on light travel days like saturday.
Wouldn't have minded getting 1-2 global certs as a PM.
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:14 am
#357
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
I'm curious then... why remove upgrades for everyone on the JFK t-cons? The other changes to SWUs are reducing benefits of PMs, but this t-con one effects the "right people" as well. Or does DL not think that pax flying several times a month on JFK-SFO are valuable unless they have a corporate contract to sit up front?
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:14 am
#358
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
"On March 1, 2014, were replacing SWUs with two new certificate types..."
Is it just me or is this a sneaky way to say that as of March 1, 2014, we won't get TCON complimentary upgrades but you'll have to wait until you re-qualify for 2015 Diamond status to receive the "true" upgrade certificates?
[1]If I am not mistaken, whoever qualified for Diamond for 2014 needs to make a Choice Benefit selection by Feb 28th, 2014. Thus, our only choice will be the old, non-enhanced SWUs. In that respect, shouldn't the TCON complimentary upgrade change take affect in 2015 too then? As it stands now, the negative news affects us in 2014 and the positive development is, theoretically, slated to start in 2015.
Now that IS sneaky and not very appreciated. [2]Despite the other multiple enhancements, I have always appreciated Delta's willingness not to throw the wool over people's eyes and give them some time to adjust. I'm not so sure that they aren't doing that with this decision.
Is it just me or is this a sneaky way to say that as of March 1, 2014, we won't get TCON complimentary upgrades but you'll have to wait until you re-qualify for 2015 Diamond status to receive the "true" upgrade certificates?
[1]If I am not mistaken, whoever qualified for Diamond for 2014 needs to make a Choice Benefit selection by Feb 28th, 2014. Thus, our only choice will be the old, non-enhanced SWUs. In that respect, shouldn't the TCON complimentary upgrade change take affect in 2015 too then? As it stands now, the negative news affects us in 2014 and the positive development is, theoretically, slated to start in 2015.
Now that IS sneaky and not very appreciated. [2]Despite the other multiple enhancements, I have always appreciated Delta's willingness not to throw the wool over people's eyes and give them some time to adjust. I'm not so sure that they aren't doing that with this decision.
[2] Are we flying the same Delta?
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:16 am
#359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Titanium, Nat'l EE, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,637
For me, the only thing they were ever good for is jumping a long upgrade list on a transcon, but no longer...
Dec 11, 2013 | 8:18 am
#360
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 141
No more international UG certificates for PMs. If the SWUs weren't already nearly useless I might have been angry. As it is, very little change.
It's great that Delta is acknowledging the "valuable feedback" received from its best customers, while largely doing the opposite of what the feedback suggested.
Also it's pretty clear Delta doesn't care about its customers living outside the USA. What is now the benefit of being a PM for customers living overseas?
It's great that Delta is acknowledging the "valuable feedback" received from its best customers, while largely doing the opposite of what the feedback suggested.
Also it's pretty clear Delta doesn't care about its customers living outside the USA. What is now the benefit of being a PM for customers living overseas?
Give us the option of OLD or NEW SWU or lacking that make mileage upgrade waitlist go to the gate.
Delta is abandoning the expat community that have been loyal M-fare buying passengers.