2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 13, 2013, 7:02 pm
#691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
This totally affects my loyalty to DL as a PM. Without the opportunity for T-con upgrades - my route is primarily JFK/Cali - there is simply no value for me to direct all my business to DL. At least with SWUs and the smart booking I could get BE occasionally. Now, I'll just shop around for the best price/class ratio, especially with B6 Mint coming.
I have to say though, its liberating not to feel loyal to DL anymore. Now when flying to asia in J I can look at the best option rather than focus only on a DL routing.
I have to say though, its liberating not to feel loyal to DL anymore. Now when flying to asia in J I can look at the best option rather than focus only on a DL routing.
(admittedly ATL might not be the best way for upgrades, though at least the chance isn't 0.)
Dec 13, 2013, 7:04 pm
#692
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: KANSAS CITY
Programs: DL DM, MARRIOTT AMBASSADOR LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 453
I know the service from jfk to lax is better than atlanta to lax, but do you think they are concerned they might lose one of their largest pools of DM's if they did the same thing from atlanta as they are dong from jfk? I hope Emirates comes to the midwest!
Dec 13, 2013, 7:08 pm
#693
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
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MIA would be next on my guess list.
Dec 13, 2013, 7:15 pm
#694
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: KANSAS CITY
Programs: DL DM, MARRIOTT AMBASSADOR LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 453
I have said this before but I believe Delta, UA, and AA are so focused on themselves. They need to be focused on Emirates and other like airlines. They have a lot of money and are targeting Delta, UA, and AA. Believe the big 3 better be careful.
Dec 13, 2013, 7:38 pm
#695
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
To those expecting the ~$250 gate upgrades... DL never sells these on the international routes, why would they do so on these routes (after 3/1)? Gotta protect that premium product integrity.
Dec 13, 2013, 8:29 pm
#696
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
+1. your high if you think they will offer 250 UG on this route and would love to hear If anyone has successfully done a mileage UG on this route other than Christmas day
Dec 13, 2013, 8:49 pm
#698
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
I wonder if it's kind of a fail for Delta to be removing J seats from much of the international fleet, and to be removing F seats from many of the domestic birds.
David
Dec 13, 2013, 9:17 pm
#699
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
I just checked, and I'm actually running around 50% upgrades (Diamond, flights selected based purely on price and timing but typically JFK-SFO first morning flight Thursday, return last evening flight Monday, unless another flight is cheaper). A couple of LAX flights upgraded with SWUs (since K was the lowest fare available anyway), probably would have cleared without.
Dec 13, 2013, 9:27 pm
#700
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ATL/PDK
Programs: DL, SPG
Posts: 202
I can promise you they are focused. If you look at the comments Richard Anderson makes - they are very concerned about state owned airlines. EK's significant increase in capacity in MXP is a threat to all the domestic carriers.
Last edited by AdamDunn32; Dec 13, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Dec 13, 2013, 10:57 pm
#701
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,256
Perhaps not even then, as traditionally upgrade inventory has not been released in advance on these routes, and mileage upgrade waitlists are not carried over to the gate.
Dec 13, 2013, 10:59 pm
#702
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 83
I understand that Delta's made a business decision, and I'm not particularly upset. Its just that I'll do the same and make my travel choice no longer via loyalty. :-)
Dec 13, 2013, 11:54 pm
#704
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,418
I thought the GE fee was only $100. Unless your travel is all corporate and none of it out of pocket, you would be better off taking the $200 Delta voucher since there is no hassle using that.
I wonder if anyone will select the Tiffany diamond tag. IMO that is a total waste unless Delta is planning on keeping the tag design the same every year from now on.
I wonder if anyone will select the Tiffany diamond tag. IMO that is a total waste unless Delta is planning on keeping the tag design the same every year from now on.
They do if the person upgraded to the front cabin opens up a Y seat that could then be sold. @:-)
In addition, by giving a free UG to a Medallion they are reinforcing the reason hy that person should stay loyal to DL and not jump ship and spend their travel money with another carrier.
In addition, by giving a free UG to a Medallion they are reinforcing the reason hy that person should stay loyal to DL and not jump ship and spend their travel money with another carrier.
If DL is going to copy UA's policy of giving zero complimentary upgrades on TCON flights, then DL should also copy UA's policy of allowing RPUs on TCON flights.
If DL doesn't want to open up TCON BE seats to Regional Upgrades on super low fares, then DL should just restrict the use of Regional Upgrades on TCON flights to K+ fares (the same way SWUs currently work). But requiring the use of "Global Upgrades" on domestic routes is absurd.
If DL doesn't want to open up TCON BE seats to Regional Upgrades on super low fares, then DL should just restrict the use of Regional Upgrades on TCON flights to K+ fares (the same way SWUs currently work). But requiring the use of "Global Upgrades" on domestic routes is absurd.
Dec 14, 2013, 3:11 pm
#705
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Fly paid F and J. AA EXP. DL PM.
Posts: 407
Any word on the Delta360 "experiment" and how they will be impacted by the 2014 program changes?
Will Delta360 passengers receive more generous upgrade opportunities on JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA and international flights?
Will Delta360 passengers receive more generous upgrade opportunities on JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA and international flights?
