They should! If DL does a good job identifying them, they will have identified the backbone of DL

I do not think Delta 360's will be waiting for upgrades.

Almost all of my travel is SEA-JFK. This is absolutely horrible. Maybe it's time to switch to AS ex-SEA

There is a slippery slope here. If DL 360's are currently the highest revenue customers, $7.5 K J international and $2k+ transcons, and they are now guaranteed upgrades, they may switch to the $1.5K Y fares international and $500 transcons. If this happens, DL loses massive marginal revenue. This is one of the main factors that kept SWUs YBM. You need to keep the high revenue from the HVCs.

You are absolutely correct.

Will eating more spinach improve my memory?

I've been watching this threat with great interest and must admit that I am very suspect of DL's intentions with these changes.

While the regional and global upgrades sound appealing, if the availability of low-mileage award tickets is any indication, we'll never get to use these. Personally, I will not be selecting these as my Diamond benefit until I see how this plays out.

As for the no complimentary UGs on the BE transcons out of JFK I think they are making a huge mistake. By not offering these they have eliminated any reason for the most elite flyer to remain loyal to DL. If AA/US offers I would jump ship in a heartbeat.

DL's strategy of late has been perplexing to me.

So this means that anyone still on the upgrade waitlist at the gate is 100% going to get the upgrade as long as there still is an unsold seat? In other words, the plane won't depart with an empty premium seat and an elite remaining on list with a certificate. This would be pretty awesome.

People say the old SWU's are a gamble if you buy up for an M+ without clearing at time of purchase. But if we use the new global upgrades on a V fare, then I don't see the risk. I would be stuck in the back of the plane under the old scheme anyway.

As a lowly PM, I was upgraded last night JFK-SFO. I thoroughly enjoyed the flight, knowing it was likely the last time that will happen for me.

IIRC the change isn't effective until the new program year starts on March 1. There's still time to make more transcon trips.

turkeyRIOO, you are thinking too much here.
The "vast majority" of these folks are
(a) OPMs, who have their assistant book travel based on policy. The assistant is allowed to book J/F, the assistant books J/F. This flight becomes part of the overall travel scheme. The person flying (HVC) has no idea of the fare or fare code or anything else. They are too busy, to worry about such trivial things

or (b) typical high earners, this is of minimal worry. When you earn in excess of �1million/year+++ (most) people don't sit around analyzing such things, unless, it's a personal interest and hobby (of which, it is NOT for the vast majority of people who fly).

Agreed. My guess is that someone becomes 360 because they pay for BE.

with emphasis on the they

OPM is a very big factor here. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Also, sometimes, in for a pound.....

For instance, one that has the means who regularly buys M+ for �2500 (with the intention to upgrade), but now is unable to confirm a few upgrades decides to just purchase the Z for �3400.

But, in my experience, most OPM situations are either BusinessElite or a fare class that cannot regularly upgrade (new, Global Upgrades, notwithstanding). Often those required to book coach are required to book lowest fare, and those fares are often in classes below M+. Even with ticket change fees, discount fares often are most cost effective (even with a change when necessary, and change fee) for these flyers.

On the surface the ability to upgrade any fare with the Global certificates seems like a homerun... However, I suppose time will tell what inventory Delta releases for said upgrades. Analagous to Delta offering award flights for 5 miles but never releasing the seats. In their entirety, these changes appear to be a net positive...

I've been basically commuting from LAX to NYC for years, and know dozens of others who have as well. All of us are diamond or platinum, and of the several I've spoken to, every singe one is about to burn through our accumulated miles, and head elsewhere. Personally, I've had at least Platinum status for about a decade, so I'm surprised they're going to let us all go as we're fairly high revenue fliers. I suspect they think that businesses will buy out the seats but almost all of us are writers/actors/consultants traveling on our own businesses dime...really surprising.
Ah well...

Freudian slip? ^

"No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up." --- Lily Tomlin