2015 SkyMiles Program News from Delta
Feb 26, 2014, 8:39 am
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
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Remember, it might be skewed to higher spend pax, but even they get hosed with a maximum limit of 75k miles.
Also, notice the example for miles+cash... 35k for a ticket or 25k+$159. That implies a value of 10k miles at 1.59c/mi instead of the current PWM at 1c/mi.
Does that mean PWM is going away or changing also to a different valuation?
Also, notice the example for miles+cash... 35k for a ticket or 25k+$159. That implies a value of 10k miles at 1.59c/mi instead of the current PWM at 1c/mi.
Does that mean PWM is going away or changing also to a different valuation?
Feb 26, 2014, 8:40 am
#123
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 15,180
And that's why they continue to pull this crap - because people will still fly them regardless of the devaluation.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:40 am
#124
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
"When will the 2015 Award charts be available? - They will be available in the last quarter of 2014 and will be effective for new bookings beginning January 1, 2015."
Delta
Who am I? I was a Charter Diamond and have been continuously a Diamond. I am close to being a 2 million miler. I fly almost always in Business, and my spend is between $50,000 and $100,000 a year in airfare. I run an international department, and my employees fly with me. Our spend is $500,000.
Why am I annoyed with Delta? Because of the games that are being played with the flyer program. Withholding information, such as the new reward chart, is plainly an attempt to manipulate frequent flyers. Should I use my miles now or wait? Will the new structure be better for me or not? You know, but you will not tell me.
What can I do? Take my money elsewhere. I have just become AA Executive Platinum. They value my business and were happy to have me.
Loyalty has limits.
Delta
Who am I? I was a Charter Diamond and have been continuously a Diamond. I am close to being a 2 million miler. I fly almost always in Business, and my spend is between $50,000 and $100,000 a year in airfare. I run an international department, and my employees fly with me. Our spend is $500,000.
Why am I annoyed with Delta? Because of the games that are being played with the flyer program. Withholding information, such as the new reward chart, is plainly an attempt to manipulate frequent flyers. Should I use my miles now or wait? Will the new structure be better for me or not? You know, but you will not tell me.
What can I do? Take my money elsewhere. I have just become AA Executive Platinum. They value my business and were happy to have me.
Loyalty has limits.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:42 am
#126
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
Remember, it might be skewed to higher spend pax, but even they get hosed with a maximum limit of 75k miles.
Also, notice the example for miles+cash... 35k for a ticket or 25k+$159. That implies a value of 10k miles at 1.59c/mi instead of the current PWM at 1c/mi.
Does that mean PWM is going away or changing also to a different valuation?
Also, notice the example for miles+cash... 35k for a ticket or 25k+$159. That implies a value of 10k miles at 1.59c/mi instead of the current PWM at 1c/mi.
Does that mean PWM is going away or changing also to a different valuation?
Feb 26, 2014, 8:42 am
#127
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
Feb 26, 2014, 8:44 am
#129
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
Actually if you think about it the Amex may become more valuable. For the vast majority of people they will earn fewer RDM from flying but they can still earn the same 1 mi/$ or 2mi/$ on DL purchases, without limit. That means a greater percentage of one's earn will be on the card.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:45 am
#130
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Feb 26, 2014, 8:46 am
#131
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Italy
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 52
"We’re increasing Award availability at the lowest price levels and making it easier for you to find the seats that are most sought after. We’re also increasing the number of redemption levels overall to as many as five levels, giving you additional options requiring fewer miles."
Also the actual award calendar is a way to hide cheap award flight, so if they "fix" it is a value addition to skymiles.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:47 am
#132
Join Date: May 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5
One interesting thing is in the special fares category (http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ial-fares.html), where the awards actually improve (no more 25% category, and the current 50% moves to 75%. And, if I'm reading it correctly, full MQMs, though still no MQDs.
So just as an example, ATL-SEA at $400 in V, you'll earn 10% more miles (2181 vs 2000) with a bulk fare than with a direct purchase from delta. For long cheap flights, this may actually drive more business away from delta.com.
So just as an example, ATL-SEA at $400 in V, you'll earn 10% more miles (2181 vs 2000) with a bulk fare than with a direct purchase from delta. For long cheap flights, this may actually drive more business away from delta.com.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:48 am
#133
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
that's what they wrote:
"We’re increasing Award availability at the lowest price levels and making it easier for you to find the seats that are most sought after. We’re also increasing the number of redemption levels overall to as many as five levels, giving you additional options requiring fewer miles."
Also the actual award calendar is a way to hide cheap award flight, so if they "fix" it is a value addition to skymiles.
"We’re increasing Award availability at the lowest price levels and making it easier for you to find the seats that are most sought after. We’re also increasing the number of redemption levels overall to as many as five levels, giving you additional options requiring fewer miles."
Also the actual award calendar is a way to hide cheap award flight, so if they "fix" it is a value addition to skymiles.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:51 am
#134
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 44
My guess is the additional availability comes in somehow with fewer miles being available to redeem and not actual availability. Honestly they are cutting miles so drastically for many of us that after people drain their accounts, there won't be many miles to spend!
I fly internationally several times a year almost always on a cheap fare, and I think I will still make PM but I will be getting something like 3600 miles per intl trip when you subtract the taxes (compared to 20K now) so at that rate I will be getting a free Hawaii ticket (which is where I generally redeem them) about every 2 years IF I could actually find the lowest sky miles fare which I have NEVER seen since 2010.
I am considering some job changes that will mean less travel so maybe that's good timing. If it doesn't happen I will certainly be looking at other programs come 2015.
I fly internationally several times a year almost always on a cheap fare, and I think I will still make PM but I will be getting something like 3600 miles per intl trip when you subtract the taxes (compared to 20K now) so at that rate I will be getting a free Hawaii ticket (which is where I generally redeem them) about every 2 years IF I could actually find the lowest sky miles fare which I have NEVER seen since 2010.
I am considering some job changes that will mean less travel so maybe that's good timing. If it doesn't happen I will certainly be looking at other programs come 2015.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:55 am
#135
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: STR
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM or DM for 24 years, SkyClub: Lifetime, Delta Million Miler
Posts: 72
I fly mostly West Coast US and International to Asia and Europe. I guess I will be flying Alaska Airlines on the West Coast in 2015 and KLM and Air France to Europe and use miles going to Asia.
I am sure Delta will figure out a way to cut mileage earnings for partner airlines as they have this last year already. If I wouldn't have a lifetime Skyclub membership I would be on a different alliance by now.
3 years ago I flew mostly foreign partner airlines because Deltas' airplanes were so crappy. Then they reduced miles significantly for partner flights. At that time I started reducing travel significantly. So I am not playing the games anymore.
I pretty much had it with Delta. Alaska Airlines will be happy to have my Dollars...and they already offer One Way Mileage flights.
I am sure Delta will figure out a way to cut mileage earnings for partner airlines as they have this last year already. If I wouldn't have a lifetime Skyclub membership I would be on a different alliance by now.
3 years ago I flew mostly foreign partner airlines because Deltas' airplanes were so crappy. Then they reduced miles significantly for partner flights. At that time I started reducing travel significantly. So I am not playing the games anymore.
I pretty much had it with Delta. Alaska Airlines will be happy to have my Dollars...and they already offer One Way Mileage flights.