2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 10, 2013, 1:48 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,233
[QUOTE?
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.
[/QUOTE]
No, you have until end of February 2015 to chose your 2014 Choice Benefit. I just chose my 2013 benefit last month. If you chose 2014 already, you are probably out of luck.
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.
[/QUOTE]
No, you have until end of February 2015 to chose your 2014 Choice Benefit. I just chose my 2013 benefit last month. If you chose 2014 already, you are probably out of luck.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:49 pm
#32
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
Well it may be undesirable (I would certainly be interested in taking the new Regional Upgrades instead of the current SWU's as a Platinum) and we could have been given more notice (not that more notice would matter much), I'd hardly call it sneaky ... it's about as clearly spelled out as you could expect.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:50 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,233
You have had to be on the same PNR to use SWU's for at least a couple of years. They used to allow separate PNR's, but that ended long ago.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:51 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,160
I guess the result will be those routes will be pretty exclusive with only a few paid pax up front on odd times. I bet the non-revs must love that change since they'll get easy upgrades.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:51 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PRG, NYC, MOW
Programs: Delta DM, AA EXP, SPG PLT75, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 215
[/QUOTE]
No, you have until end of February 2015 to chose your 2014 Choice Benefit. I just chose my 2013 benefit last month. If you chose 2014 already, you are probably out of luck.[/QUOTE]
Well, there you go. I typically used my CB as quickly as possible(to give someone Gold Status) and didn't bother to read it careful. Thanks for the heads up.
I will most certainly be waiting now to grab the new Global Upgrades.
No, you have until end of February 2015 to chose your 2014 Choice Benefit. I just chose my 2013 benefit last month. If you chose 2014 already, you are probably out of luck.[/QUOTE]
Well, there you go. I typically used my CB as quickly as possible(to give someone Gold Status) and didn't bother to read it careful. Thanks for the heads up.
I will most certainly be waiting now to grab the new Global Upgrades.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:52 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, HHoners Gold, SPG Gold, National ExecElite, Hertz PC, Avis First
Posts: 204
From the perspective of a DM and AA EXP who does a lot of international flying...
This addresses the number one biggest competitive disadvantage of DL's FF program re: restrictive SWU usage. All in all a good move. Now my biggest question is whether old SWUs with the Y B or M restriction will trump GPUs? May be worthwhile to select the 6 SWUs for one last year since so much of my international travel is M or above anyway.
Interesting but not unexpected change regarding the BE coast to coast flights. This puts Delta in line with UA's PS service, although they allow upgrades with their regional instruments. I expect AA to leave things as they are next year given the merger, which means they will be the last option for complementary upgrades (albeit to top tear only). Given that the 321s will be coming online early next year, which will match or exceed the 76Ws in transcon comfort... I say no big deal.
This addresses the number one biggest competitive disadvantage of DL's FF program re: restrictive SWU usage. All in all a good move. Now my biggest question is whether old SWUs with the Y B or M restriction will trump GPUs? May be worthwhile to select the 6 SWUs for one last year since so much of my international travel is M or above anyway.
Interesting but not unexpected change regarding the BE coast to coast flights. This puts Delta in line with UA's PS service, although they allow upgrades with their regional instruments. I expect AA to leave things as they are next year given the merger, which means they will be the last option for complementary upgrades (albeit to top tear only). Given that the 321s will be coming online early next year, which will match or exceed the 76Ws in transcon comfort... I say no big deal.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:52 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,856
Dec 10, 2013, 1:53 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,160
Correct... I was just hoping they'd come to their senses and not keep the same PNR restriction. It kills being being able to bring someone along for a business trip.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:53 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Delta Diamond, AA Exec. Plat., HHonors Gold, Marriot Silver, Hertz Pres. Circle, Starwood Gold, etc.
Posts: 142
2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
This change is pretty huge for me. I had just earned my Exec Plat credentials on AA and was ready to abandon Delta but now I have to reconsider. Flying out of Seattle, Delta was always the more convenient carrier but the international upgrades on AA was too appealing.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:55 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,160
I would expect the priority will be arranged according to fare... so because an SWU requires M+ it will by default be higher on the list than someone on a GPU since they'd most likely have a lower fare bucket.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:56 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
8 vs 4 still gives EXP an edge...although I think DL's J product is better than AA's, apart from the 77W.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:59 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
However, in light of significant investments in our coast-to-coast BusinessElite experience - including premium amenities like fully flat-bed seats, Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, on-demand entertainment, and premium dining - we will no longer offer Medallion Complimentary Upgrades on flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle beginning March 1, 2014.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:59 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
Definitely a great benefit improvement for DMs, with the GMUs being able to be used for any fare class.
However, PMs are getting the short end of the stick. The RMUs are quite a disappointment though, as they're pretty much just trump cards, for routes that are eligible for complimentary Medallion upgrades. And they can't get any form of a GMU in exchange.
At a lowly non-status member, I'm just happy DL didn't move to FBATR!!!
And to the lurkers at DL, I do purchase international business class tickets from time to time, sometimes on DL. However, DL's SkyMiles program isn't strong enough for me to spend all my money just on DL. I used to have status on NW for the a very long time and 2 years on DL.
However, PMs are getting the short end of the stick. The RMUs are quite a disappointment though, as they're pretty much just trump cards, for routes that are eligible for complimentary Medallion upgrades. And they can't get any form of a GMU in exchange.
At a lowly non-status member, I'm just happy DL didn't move to FBATR!!!
And to the lurkers at DL, I do purchase international business class tickets from time to time, sometimes on DL. However, DL's SkyMiles program isn't strong enough for me to spend all my money just on DL. I used to have status on NW for the a very long time and 2 years on DL.
Last edited by Wiirachay; Dec 10, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Dec 10, 2013, 1:59 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: South Yorkshire
Programs: DL PM, National Exec, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 182
As an internationally based Plat Regional certs are pretty much useless to me (not that SWU's on expensive M fares are much better). 2 Global certs would have been a nice option.
Dec 10, 2013, 2:00 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
