Sep 27, 2014, 9:44 am
Last edit by: mfFrom35K
Known at this time:
- Complimentary Upgrades on premium transcon flights, namelyJFK-SFO/LAX, are no longer an available benefit for any level Medallion Elite
- Regional and/or Global Upgrade Certificates as well as Miles may be used for upgrades on premium transcon flights
- Seattle-JFK is no longer a premium transcon flight
- Complimentary Upgrades on premium transcon flights, namelyJFK-SFO/LAX, are no longer an available benefit for any level Medallion Elite
- Regional and/or Global Upgrade Certificates as well as Miles may be used for upgrades on premium transcon flights
- Seattle-JFK is no longer a premium transcon flight
Delta waffling on transcon upgrade policy?
Jun 24, 2014, 8:47 pm
#31
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
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Jun 24, 2014, 8:51 pm
#32
used to be 'Flyfarfar'
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SE
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Posts: 660
The official policy is that Diamond and Platinum Medallions traveling on a paid ticket (no award ticket) without a companion should be eligible for an upgrade and be added to the Airport Standby List.
This means that Gold and Silver Medallions, companions, Crossover Rewards, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Alaska MVP, Award Tickets and Pay with Miles tickets will NOT be eligible for upgrades on these routes.
You can view my full blog post with the details here
Delta Brings Back Transcontinental Upgrades for Platinum and Diamond Medallions
This means that Gold and Silver Medallions, companions, Crossover Rewards, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Alaska MVP, Award Tickets and Pay with Miles tickets will NOT be eligible for upgrades on these routes.
You can view my full blog post with the details here
Delta Brings Back Transcontinental Upgrades for Platinum and Diamond Medallions
Jun 24, 2014, 8:52 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
This is what it sounds like at first.
For those who didn't fly NW, the 'phantom' upgrade program basically upgraded the top 4 or 5 people on the flight by elite status and fare.
So even if there were 10 seats open in Business and 10 top-tier elites, only 4 or 5 would get upgraded.
But spoke with an agent who pulled up the policy...
And any Diamond or Platinum will be added to the airport upgrade list at 6 hours prior to departure. Then they will clear it at the gate per the usual priority. If a seat is open you'll get it.
Not sure why the 6 hour rule. Maybe they're going to keep offering seats in O class for advance mile / SWU upgrades and that helps protect the integrity of that.
For those who didn't fly NW, the 'phantom' upgrade program basically upgraded the top 4 or 5 people on the flight by elite status and fare.
So even if there were 10 seats open in Business and 10 top-tier elites, only 4 or 5 would get upgraded.
But spoke with an agent who pulled up the policy...
And any Diamond or Platinum will be added to the airport upgrade list at 6 hours prior to departure. Then they will clear it at the gate per the usual priority. If a seat is open you'll get it.
Not sure why the 6 hour rule. Maybe they're going to keep offering seats in O class for advance mile / SWU upgrades and that helps protect the integrity of that.
Jun 25, 2014, 1:43 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
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Posts: 17,421
Except phantom UG's were much more of a gift to PMNW PE's, this is more like a backup from DL from making a boneheaded policy change.
When this becomes official policy again I'll start flying the tcons...
When this becomes official policy again I'll start flying the tcons...
Jun 25, 2014, 1:50 am
#37
Suspended
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Jun 25, 2014, 4:11 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2008
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A policy of 75k/125k upgrades sure sounds like an attempt to match AA (100k) on these routes.
Jun 25, 2014, 5:39 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,055
I've been K+(old)SWU upgrading flights since the old new policy, since I'm willing to pay a bit more over coach (but not $2k) to sit up front. With this new new policy, I might still try to confirm in advance (K+miles?) if they keep advanced inventory open, especially on the westbound flights and when I'm traveling with someone.
Why would they want to keep this secret? You can't incentivize behavior if people don't know what the benefits are. This change would probably encourage me to make PM (or even DM again) and to fly DL (especially eastbound when alone) instead of B6.
A policy of 75k/125k upgrades sure sounds like an attempt to match AA (100k) on these routes.
Why would they want to keep this secret? You can't incentivize behavior if people don't know what the benefits are. This change would probably encourage me to make PM (or even DM again) and to fly DL (especially eastbound when alone) instead of B6.
A policy of 75k/125k upgrades sure sounds like an attempt to match AA (100k) on these routes.
Two thoughts:
1. Delta really can't expect this to be a "secret"..perhaps not advertised, but not a secret because they are upgrading their PM/DMS and those customers will clearly report this new development to others on the Internet, word of mouth, etc
2. How can Delta delete someone else's thread on FT??
Jun 25, 2014, 5:42 am
#40
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Jun 25, 2014, 5:59 am
#41
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
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Jun 25, 2014, 6:16 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Jun 25, 2014, 6:39 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
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If these BE cabins are going out near empty on a regular basis (is that truly the case?) then perhaps B6 Mint was the straw that broke the camel's back...
Jun 25, 2014, 6:42 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Plat 100, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 99
Now, the question is if a PM/DM will be upgraded while SDCing onto one of these transcons.
I'll be flying LAX-BOS next week on a non-stop redeye. If the upgrade code works for SDC/SDS, I could jump on a LAX-JFK-BOS flight and get home seven hours in advance.
So, if someone's gets the upgrade while flying standby, please post your success here!
I'll be flying LAX-BOS next week on a non-stop redeye. If the upgrade code works for SDC/SDS, I could jump on a LAX-JFK-BOS flight and get home seven hours in advance.
So, if someone's gets the upgrade while flying standby, please post your success here!