2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:38 pm
#91
Join Date: Nov 2001
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, DL Plat,Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott PP, National EE,Hertz PC
Posts: 698
Don't know if many caught this on the changes page.
Heads Up — 2016 Medallion Year Starts February 1, 2016
The Medallion year traditionally begins March 1 each year to allow time for Medallion membership packages to be delivered. With the streamlined production of membership packages and the availability of digital SkyMiles and Medallion cards in the Fly Delta app, we are able to begin the Medallion year earlier. Starting in 2016, the Medallion year will begin February 1 and subsequently, the 2015 Medallion year will end on January 31, 2016
Heads Up — 2016 Medallion Year Starts February 1, 2016
The Medallion year traditionally begins March 1 each year to allow time for Medallion membership packages to be delivered. With the streamlined production of membership packages and the availability of digital SkyMiles and Medallion cards in the Fly Delta app, we are able to begin the Medallion year earlier. Starting in 2016, the Medallion year will begin February 1 and subsequently, the 2015 Medallion year will end on January 31, 2016
You may notice a few changes as we continue to look for opportunities to fine-tune the Medallion® program. With the help of valuable feedback from members like you, we have developed new and more convenient Upgrade Certificates for 2014.
Beginning March 1, 2014, Platinum Medallion members may select four Regional Upgrades as a Choice Benefits selection. Regional Upgrades will be offered instead of Systemwide Upgrades and will be available on the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, but will have a higher priority. Unlike the current more restrictive certificates, these new Regional Upgrades will be valid on all paid Economy Class fares except for E, providing you even more options and convenience.
Also, we are pleased to announce that beginning March 1st, Choice Benefits selections will include complimentary Global Entry.
If you earn Diamond Medallion status for 2014, you'll enjoy additional Choice Benefits options, including:
Four Global Upgrades or eight Regional Upgrades
Complimentary Global Entry for you and a guest
Two Tiffany & Co. premium luggage tags
For more details on these and other updates to the Medallion program, please visit delta.com.
Congratulations on achieving Platinum Medallion status for 2014. We look forward to seeing you on board.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:39 pm
#92
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: 17,493
Wow, big changes. For one, loss if transcon upgrades is huge. This was a clear differentiator vs AA and UA, now that is gone. I know many folks don't fly that route often, but I fly it 10-20x per year. Huge loss for me.
As for other changes, let's not get all excited yet. First if like to know how the order works on these certs.
Secondly and most importantly, what will the release of OU class look like. If DL never releases this then the new GPU and RPU certs are worthless.
The advice here to never buy unless you buy M class and UG availability exists is spot on.
Make them complimentary. I'm not using GPUs on that route.
I'm considering this too.
As for other changes, let's not get all excited yet. First if like to know how the order works on these certs.
Secondly and most importantly, what will the release of OU class look like. If DL never releases this then the new GPU and RPU certs are worthless.
The advice here to never buy unless you buy M class and UG availability exists is spot on.
Requiring global upgrades for JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA is dumb. It is not much better of a product than United PS (allows regional upgrades) or the new American Flagship (complimentary for EXPs) or even JetBlue MINT!
I understand not allowing complimentary, but at least allow regional upgrades on them.
I understand not allowing complimentary, but at least allow regional upgrades on them.
The SEA-JFK transcon is my primary route. I've lurked on this forum for over two years but this move fired me up to get registered today. It is an absolute outrage that they are considering the change. If this doesn't go away, I'll be ringing the phone at the AS MVP line for a match and a permanent goodbye to DL.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:40 pm
#94
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Got the same email. Kind of a good news, bad news thing. Similar to what UA does but different.
There are only 4 Global Upgrades instead of 6 SWU's. Availability on cheap fares is awesome but only good as long as there is UG inventory which has been a bit lacking.
The 8 Regionals (note this is one OR the other) will basically trump UDU's so some routes will probably be nearly impossible (think JFK transcon) without one of these.
Also wondering the position of these vs the old SWU's as far as UG.
New choice benefits? Meh, but others may appreciate them.
Hmm, wonder what they are changing for the Plat CB. Would be nice to hear from them.
There are only 4 Global Upgrades instead of 6 SWU's. Availability on cheap fares is awesome but only good as long as there is UG inventory which has been a bit lacking.
The 8 Regionals (note this is one OR the other) will basically trump UDU's so some routes will probably be nearly impossible (think JFK transcon) without one of these.
Also wondering the position of these vs the old SWU's as far as UG.
New choice benefits? Meh, but others may appreciate them.
Hmm, wonder what they are changing for the Plat CB. Would be nice to hear from them.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:40 pm
#95
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat75, MR Plat, UA Silver, GE/NEXUS
Posts: 177
You gotta be kidding me. I picked my choice benefits yesterday and gifted gold in hopes myself and my travel partner would get upgraded in a planned March TCON. Apparently I gifted it for pretty much nothing now. I filled the complaint form and Delta won't let me trade in the 25k miles I selected for one of the new choice benefits...need to re-earn next year which really pisses me off.
So we lost transcon upgrades but gained Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Carribean and Hawaii from the west coast? That sucks, but I guess I can fly LAX-ATL-JFK if I have to. Wonder if this will also exclude flights like DL17 on the 777.
So we lost transcon upgrades but gained Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Carribean and Hawaii from the west coast? That sucks, but I guess I can fly LAX-ATL-JFK if I have to. Wonder if this will also exclude flights like DL17 on the 777.
Last edited by allanak; Dec 10, 2013 at 4:19 pm
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:40 pm
#96
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,269
Quote:
Originally Posted by DwayneSkyMiles
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rylan
And boom goes the dynamite.
Admittedly I have never flown one of these routes, but based on the anecdotal evidence here on FT, is this really that big of a deal considering how hard those upgrades were to come by anyway?
A majority of DL FF'ers never need that benefit anyway, and getting free upgrades, and by extension use the new Regional Upgrades, on West Coast to Hawaii flights is something more appealing to quite a few DL FF'ers.
Originally Posted by DwayneSkyMiles
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rylan
And boom goes the dynamite.
Admittedly I have never flown one of these routes, but based on the anecdotal evidence here on FT, is this really that big of a deal considering how hard those upgrades were to come by anyway?
A majority of DL FF'ers never need that benefit anyway, and getting free upgrades, and by extension use the new Regional Upgrades, on West Coast to Hawaii flights is something more appealing to quite a few DL FF'ers.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:42 pm
#98
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM, DL MM
Posts: 4,427
Great news if you are a diamond.....Majorly hose job if you are a platinum who actually was able to use SWUs.
As a PLT who never found a route where SWUs actually worked, I'm somewhat indifferent (other than my disappointment I don't get Global SWU!!)
As a PLT who never found a route where SWUs actually worked, I'm somewhat indifferent (other than my disappointment I don't get Global SWU!!)
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:44 pm
#100
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Okay, there is more on the website. Plats will get 4 Regional UG's but no Globals. However, they can select SWU's through 02/2014.
Here's the page for the new Global/Regional UG rules...
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
Here's the page for the new Global/Regional UG rules...
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:44 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM/2.7MM, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 260
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!!
Talk about a step to ensure my future business!
(Now can we just get the T-72 hour rule to go away and SDC back to normal without the class buckets... I know, I know, but I had to say it)
Talk about a step to ensure my future business!
(Now can we just get the T-72 hour rule to go away and SDC back to normal without the class buckets... I know, I know, but I had to say it)
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:45 pm
#103
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/3MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,648
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:45 pm
#104
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 74
PM email says they only get to choose from 4 Regionals, doesn't mention Global Upgrades at all. Overall I like it, but it seems to me complimentary upgrades without a certificate on something like JFK-LAX will be a thing of the past.
EDIT: After finding the page referenced above JFK-LAX isn't even eligible so nm. Interesting that its available to HNL from certain cities though
EDIT: After finding the page referenced above JFK-LAX isn't even eligible so nm. Interesting that its available to HNL from certain cities though