2014 SkyMiles Program Changes
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:48 pm
#106
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,906
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 | 3:50 pm
#108
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Got the email announcing the changes from DL..sort of deceptive that they don't explicitly call out the changes to upgrades domestically...
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.
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 | 3:52 pm
#109
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Is a 2013 program year earned SWU redeemed prior to MAR 1, 2014 equivalent to a GU redeemed on or after MAR 1, 2014?
Some of us still may have 2013 earned Choice Benefits in the bank along with our 2014 benefits so this makes a difference. I would like to redeem a 2013 Platinum CB for 4 SWUs that can be used on LAX-JFK transcons. I am and continue to be DM...What say you Dwyane?
Some of us still may have 2013 earned Choice Benefits in the bank along with our 2014 benefits so this makes a difference. I would like to redeem a 2013 Platinum CB for 4 SWUs that can be used on LAX-JFK transcons. I am and continue to be DM...What say you Dwyane?
Also how will priority be for people using old SWU's vs. people using new Global Upgrades? I would guess that they should be treated the same, and then medallion level and time of request be the determiner?
Seems like anyone with SWU's end up having a Global Upgrade with a fare class restriction of K or higher to use it domestically or M+ to use it internatinally. Is that how it will work?
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:53 pm
#110
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Mentioned above that this is similar to what UA does. For ref, here is how UA works their RPU/GPU...
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...e/default.aspx
Haven't compared the two yet but just an observation... UA has been struggling in so many ways that Smisek has been pulling a lot of pages from the DL handbook to make more money. Just strange to see this is an instance where DL is taking a change from UA. Getting a feeling we will be seeing triplets in a couple years.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...e/default.aspx
Haven't compared the two yet but just an observation... UA has been struggling in so many ways that Smisek has been pulling a lot of pages from the DL handbook to make more money. Just strange to see this is an instance where DL is taking a change from UA. Getting a feeling we will be seeing triplets in a couple years.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:54 pm
#111
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:54 pm
#112
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), IHG PE, National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,306
RP/OP availability will be still the great limiting factor.
On KL has to be on Y, B or M.
On AF only valid for flights from US48 to CDG and not any others, and still the same fare class restrictions.
HNL-ATL flights need global upgrades, not regional, and even JFK-LAX/SEA/SFO need global and not regional.
Mileage upgrades still require Y, B or M fare class.
All in all, a yet another "enhancement" that brings little positive (any fare class but E on DL flights), but still more negative (less certs, and now only for DMs).
The one other improvement is "Medallion Complimentary Upgrades eff. 3/1/14: Between Hawaii and LAX, SEA, SFO, or SLC", but that is not PU503 (or whatever the new global upgrade certs will be equivalent) specific.
On KL has to be on Y, B or M.
On AF only valid for flights from US48 to CDG and not any others, and still the same fare class restrictions.
HNL-ATL flights need global upgrades, not regional, and even JFK-LAX/SEA/SFO need global and not regional.
Mileage upgrades still require Y, B or M fare class.
All in all, a yet another "enhancement" that brings little positive (any fare class but E on DL flights), but still more negative (less certs, and now only for DMs).
The one other improvement is "Medallion Complimentary Upgrades eff. 3/1/14: Between Hawaii and LAX, SEA, SFO, or SLC", but that is not PU503 (or whatever the new global upgrade certs will be equivalent) specific.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:56 pm
#113
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere above the Mason-Dixon
Programs: DL Ham Samich
Posts: 1,698
Since Transcons are no longer complementary and require Global certificates, and only DMs can select global certificates, does this mean that ONLY diamonds will ever get upgraded on this route?
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:57 pm
#114
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boston & NYC
Programs: DL Diamond; jetBlue Mosaic 4; UA Silver; HHonors Gold; Marriott Titatium
Posts: 350
TWO other Big changes--good and bad (but maybe insignificant)
If you look at the site:
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
There are TWO very BIG changes
1. Good:
complementary Medallion upgrades are available on LAX/SFO/SEA/SLC-Hawaii
2. Bad
complementary Medallion upgrades (nor "regional" certs) are NOT available on JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA
Given how infrequently I am upgraded on the transcons anymore, I'm not sure this change really matters.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
There are TWO very BIG changes
1. Good:
complementary Medallion upgrades are available on LAX/SFO/SEA/SLC-Hawaii
2. Bad
complementary Medallion upgrades (nor "regional" certs) are NOT available on JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA
Given how infrequently I am upgraded on the transcons anymore, I'm not sure this change really matters.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:57 pm
#115
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,437
I am very unhappy about the transcon upgrades being taken away. Even as a GM I've been able to snag a few, especially if I choose my flights well. However, if Delta decides to actually release upgrade inventory in advance for mileage upgrades on this route, that would be fantastic. Any word on this? You can mileage upgrade on other global routes, so why not this one?
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:58 pm
#116
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Nomad
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 61
As a DM, this seems like a *huge* improvement to me. I have a very hard time using SWUs because either a) I'm going to get the upgrade anyway so why bother with a cert or b) i have to pay almost exactly the same as a first ticket in order to get the upgrade (international).
In this case, I can use the Global to buy a cheap international fare and then upgrade. That makes these worth $x000 instead of $x00 like they are now.
In this case, I can use the Global to buy a cheap international fare and then upgrade. That makes these worth $x000 instead of $x00 like they are now.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:59 pm
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,174
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:59 pm
#118
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), IHG PE, National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,306
As a DM, this seems like a *huge* improvement to me. I have a very hard time using SWUs because either a) I'm going to get the upgrade anyway so why bother with a cert or b) i have to pay almost exactly the same as a first ticket in order to get the upgrade (international).
In this case, I can use the Global to buy a cheap international fare and then upgrade. That makes these worth $x000 instead of $x00 like they are now.
In this case, I can use the Global to buy a cheap international fare and then upgrade. That makes these worth $x000 instead of $x00 like they are now.
Dec 10, 2013 | 3:59 pm
#119
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 129
I'm a DM MMiler and I think this SUCKS A$$. I fly JFK-SEA, JFK-LAX all the time and often SDC these routes on the red eyes coming back all the time. Guess I get to fly red eyes in coach now thanks to this.
And what am I missing with these 4 global upgrade certs? They still require YBM fares so why are these any better than me just picking my SWUs under the old program now?
Also curious to know if there is any fine print with AF upgrades? I use the current SWUs to upgrade to O class when flying to Europe. Hoping these wonder-upgrade certs can still be used on AF. Otherwise this whole thing is a bunch of horse crap and Skyteam will be 100% useless vs. just 90% useless.
I'm truly baffled at the regional upgrade certs with almost any fare. It seems inconsistent with their new MQD policy that encourages spending money on higher fares and frankly, if they are treated with higher priority, seems to PUNISH those willing to spend more on higher airfares.
I really cannot fathom flying AA or UA as I truly loathe their hubbing system. So I may need to warm up to discount airliners. I mean, if I'm flying coach, why should do I need to fly it on DL?
So to sum it up - I am not entirely sure why I will be spending $12,500 on DL this year if my higher fare tickets are now going to result in no upgrades on JFK-SEA JFK-LAX routes and the new global upgrade certs still require YBM.
And what am I missing with these 4 global upgrade certs? They still require YBM fares so why are these any better than me just picking my SWUs under the old program now?
Also curious to know if there is any fine print with AF upgrades? I use the current SWUs to upgrade to O class when flying to Europe. Hoping these wonder-upgrade certs can still be used on AF. Otherwise this whole thing is a bunch of horse crap and Skyteam will be 100% useless vs. just 90% useless.
I'm truly baffled at the regional upgrade certs with almost any fare. It seems inconsistent with their new MQD policy that encourages spending money on higher fares and frankly, if they are treated with higher priority, seems to PUNISH those willing to spend more on higher airfares.
I really cannot fathom flying AA or UA as I truly loathe their hubbing system. So I may need to warm up to discount airliners. I mean, if I'm flying coach, why should do I need to fly it on DL?
So to sum it up - I am not entirely sure why I will be spending $12,500 on DL this year if my higher fare tickets are now going to result in no upgrades on JFK-SEA JFK-LAX routes and the new global upgrade certs still require YBM.
Dec 10, 2013 | 4:00 pm
#120
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Free Agent Level 2; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, ALL SE, BAC Silver, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,358
If RUCs were eligible for JFK TCONs and DM could pick both RUCs and GUCs (so trading off some TCON upgrades for four global upgrades) or mileage upgrades actually cleared in advance or went to the gate (I'd be happy to burn mileage for TCON upgrades), I'd be OK with these changes.
But JFK TCON are two of my primary routes... losing almost all upgrades on them (and only getting them in exchange for the new globals) pretty much means I'll be moving to B6/VX/lowest available much sooner than I expected (ie: March 1). (It's simply not worth the time to route via an upgrade-eligible route.)
If I'm going to be in coach, it may as well be 38" B6 EMS.
But JFK TCON are two of my primary routes... losing almost all upgrades on them (and only getting them in exchange for the new globals) pretty much means I'll be moving to B6/VX/lowest available much sooner than I expected (ie: March 1). (It's simply not worth the time to route via an upgrade-eligible route.)
If I'm going to be in coach, it may as well be 38" B6 EMS.
Last edited by bennos; Dec 10, 2013 at 4:06 pm