jb831

This has been discussed rather extensively in the Delta SkyMiles forum. Head on over there for people's opinions on DM vs. rollover.

Jenbel

Great idea - let's move it over there.

Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!

3Cforme

The first 'Do I rollover?' thread and it's still February!

Crackerpup

OP: search the DL forum and you'll get a lot of info.

Something to consider: stay at PM and instead of booking with Delta, book your flight on another airline alliance. You're likely to get at least some status (first level?) with another alliance that will give you more options in the future.

Don't know where you're based and that may help you decide on another alliance.

finny52

I'm based in BOS and nearly all int'l travel is to MENA (TATL) so I prefer Skyteam (3 options) and then Oneworld (for relative comfort of CW at a reasonable cost).

Domestically it is almost entirely east coast travel (which unfortunately for me is where Star is very strong BOS-LGA-PHL-DCA).

Also, I can't find the thread on rollover... any search tips? (Sorry, not very good with the forums)

fti

You can still travel with Skyteam but credit your miles to KL/AS or others.

If you need lounge access or SWU's, perhaps going for DM is a good idea. But SWU's are only useful with M and higher fares (i.e. useless to me) and I already have lounge access, i.e. no need for DM status. Having said that, with the "monetization' of F by DL (search for threads by title that include "monetization" and you will find them), DM might be of more benefit for domestic UG's in the future. But it sounds like you use *A for domestic anyway.

Crackerpup

Here are some of the threads

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...light=Rollover

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ing-short.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...hlight=Stay+DM

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...hlight=Stay+DM

Try searching "Stay DM" and "rollover." You'll have to look carefully at the thread titles to get an idea of the posts within. Came up with these in less than 5m.

Search is decent and it's all about what words you enter in the search.

DP-340

I would definitely hold back (I did in 2009). Since the extra benefits of DM are rather disappointing, IMHO, rollover main benefit is to allow us to test the competition for a while and maintain DL elite status.

Sez_Who

Well, that might be your main benefit but there are quite a few others.
Extra 25% RDM bonus (which does add up if you actually fly enough to reach DM), two more choice benefits, free SC membership, JFK/ATL intl greeting, better chance for UG's.

But the biggest benefit may be IROPS when you need help. Wife (also a DM) called to tell me her flt from JFK today was delayed due to Wx. She called the DM line and they SDC'ed her to an earlier flt that was already delayed and she got the UG. Apologies to the PM who lost out on that seat but there are benefits to higher status.

OTOH, these benefits mean nothing to someone who doesn't fly enough to enjoy them. If the OP plans to fly little this year, stick with PM and enjoy at least FO next year.

pmaddock

I'd say hold back and keep your options open. The winds of change are in motion right now.

AM-PM-DM

If you are not traveling much for the rest of the year, your current DM status is of little worth to you. Benefits on paper are just that, words on paper.
The same is true for your travel in 2012. If you will travel again a lot, DM is preferable. If you will not travel much, stay PM for 2012 and roll over. If you are not using the benefits...

SamOF

I decided to go for DM this year, and am basically happy with the decision, but I haven't experienced any IROPS handling that would never have happened to me as a PM.

What you describe sounds like what would have happily been done for a general member, unless I'm missing something.

DP-340

My thoughts:

Extra 25% RDM bonus: last year I flew 140k+ on DL and 100k+ on CO. I really don't need more skypiles

free SC membership: that is probably the best benefit about DM; I am with you on this one, it is a great benefit.

JFK/ATL intl greeting: I haven't experience that one yet. Last December in ATL, no one was there. Additionally, I tend to fly CO INT because of the cheaper upgrades there (I refuse to pay M+SWU)

IROPS when you need help: Like SamOF, I have not noticed any difference between PM and DM, maybe I have been lucky.

Sez_Who

Not sure I agree with you that DL will go out of their way to help a general member by moving them to an earlier flt for free, especially at an elite-heavy airport like JFK. And they certainly wouldn't be putting that pax in F when there are Wx delays.

Agree that DL would treat a PM just as kindly but there is one big difference... The PM gets a seat in the back based on the best available, and may have to give up an UG from a later flt. The DM gives up the later UG but still gets a seat in front.

Of course for those who say, "I don't care about upgrades," this benefit is pretty meaningless.

VWE

(loud voice from the front cabin)

"hey back there, how's that rollover coming along ?"