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 28, 2014, 10:00 am
#106
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: HKY
Programs: DL-DM MM & RW, UAL- PS, Marriott Lifetime PLT, SPG-PLT, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 4,468
There were 2 seats remaining and the 2 on the upgrade list also showed on the cleared list with seats as 'UP' which was odd.
In retrospect one of the upgrades was across the aisle and definitely not an NRSA.
Just surprised the remaining plats / diamonds didn't show up on the list as it's hard to believe there were only 2 on the flight.
In retrospect one of the upgrades was across the aisle and definitely not an NRSA.
Just surprised the remaining plats / diamonds didn't show up on the list as it's hard to believe there were only 2 on the flight.
Jun 28, 2014, 10:27 am
#107
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
And if so, I wonder if it would be by fare basis within your Medallion level, like it is now, or kind of pick and choose, either by CSV / HVC standing, or maybe skip over DMs on low level fare classes down to PMs on higher ones. We'll probably never know!
Jun 28, 2014, 10:35 am
#108
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
they've admitted mistakes before. It starts off sounding something like this: "We hear you", or, "we listened to what you had to say and we are making changes".....
Jun 28, 2014, 12:11 pm
#109
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SEA, NYC
Programs: DL PM, SPG Gold, WR Gold
Posts: 5
There were 2 seats remaining and the 2 on the upgrade list also showed on the cleared list with seats as 'UP' which was odd.
In retrospect one of the upgrades was across the aisle and definitely not an NRSA.
Just surprised the remaining plats / diamonds didn't show up on the list as it's hard to believe there were only 2 on the flight.
In retrospect one of the upgrades was across the aisle and definitely not an NRSA.
Just surprised the remaining plats / diamonds didn't show up on the list as it's hard to believe there were only 2 on the flight.
Jun 28, 2014, 12:40 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA: EXP Hilton: Gold, SPG: Gold, Hyatt: Plat
Posts: 196
Jun 28, 2014, 12:43 pm
#111
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
I think there are going to be many here who are going to find that are not as valuable to DL as they think they are and are going to disappointed when there names do NOT show up on the upgrade list. As the DL spokesman said they are going to be looking at the upgrades on a "case by cased basis". If you get selected, you are going to show up on the upgrade list. As I read it, if you are not selected in advance you will be flying in the back.
He said it is strictly elite status - if you are Platinum or Diamond and on any paid fare you will be put on the list, just as before, and it would order priority as before.
He noted the only 'change' from the original upgrade scheme was you can't upgrade a companion anymore, and was explicit that no Silvers or Golds would make it on the list.
I got a similar line from a couple of phone agents. Others were parroting the 'case by case' with no detail. Who knows what the actual practice is - time will tell over the coming weeks - but I've now had a few Delta employees say the Plat / Diamond any fare thing.
Regardless of the policy I would not have cleared had I not used an SWU in advance.
Last edited by cerealmarketer; Jun 28, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Jun 28, 2014, 1:02 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: HKY
Programs: DL-DM MM & RW, UAL- PS, Marriott Lifetime PLT, SPG-PLT, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 4,468
I asked the 'informed' agent about that. Are they using some HVC definition or strictly elite status?
He said it is strictly elite status - if you are Platinum or Diamond and on any paid fare you will be put on the list, just as before, and it would order priority as before.
He noted the only 'change' from the original upgrade scheme was you can't upgrade a companion anymore, and was explicit that no Silvers or Golds would make it on the list.
I got a similar line from a couple of phone agents. Others were parroting the 'case by case' with no detail. Who knows what the actual practice is - time will tell over the coming weeks - but I've now had a few Delta employees say the Plat / Diamond any fare thing.
Regardless of the policy I would not have cleared had I not used an SWU in advance.
He said it is strictly elite status - if you are Platinum or Diamond and on any paid fare you will be put on the list, just as before, and it would order priority as before.
He noted the only 'change' from the original upgrade scheme was you can't upgrade a companion anymore, and was explicit that no Silvers or Golds would make it on the list.
I got a similar line from a couple of phone agents. Others were parroting the 'case by case' with no detail. Who knows what the actual practice is - time will tell over the coming weeks - but I've now had a few Delta employees say the Plat / Diamond any fare thing.
Regardless of the policy I would not have cleared had I not used an SWU in advance.
If this is the case, those flying on cheapo fares are not likely to clear anyway without a GUC on peak flights as those are going out full or close to it.
Jun 28, 2014, 1:04 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: UA- 1K, DL-DM, AA-G, BON-T
Posts: 336
This really isn't complicated...
DL Plat/Diam - require to transcon. Boards a flight with 3 empty seats in front of the plane and the back of the plane is full. He sits in Economy Comfort and gets a free drink and box sandwich. He arrives cranky because of the barking dog, crying kid and Internet service sucked most of the journey.
His colleague flies JetBlue Mint and gets lie flat seats, free wifi and wonderful meal options. And paid less than DL member and arrives earlier vs. Delta colleague.
Competition forces adjustments not loyal status members threatening to leave.
DL Plat/Diam - require to transcon. Boards a flight with 3 empty seats in front of the plane and the back of the plane is full. He sits in Economy Comfort and gets a free drink and box sandwich. He arrives cranky because of the barking dog, crying kid and Internet service sucked most of the journey.
His colleague flies JetBlue Mint and gets lie flat seats, free wifi and wonderful meal options. And paid less than DL member and arrives earlier vs. Delta colleague.
Competition forces adjustments not loyal status members threatening to leave.
Jun 28, 2014, 1:22 pm
#114
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Minneapolis, originally from Cincinnati
Programs: Diamond with Delta, Hyatt and Hilton. 2 MM and Plat with America (thank you citi:))
Posts: 2,345
If his colleague flew Mint then why didn't he fly paid Delta business? Most companies have class of service rules based on flight time and not price. So JetBlue offering cheap J class Mint fares only helps people that own their own businesses or are traveling on their own dime (and what ever small group of companies go by price). I really think DL should just copy UA and make transcons upgradable with a cert. This way pax can decide how badly they want the upgrade. Also I think you should earn more certs the more MQDs you spend.
I agree you should earn more certs if you fly a lot more miles over the diamond 125K. When my wife flies with me or an associate with no status, they would love to see Delta duplicate American's policy where a top tier can upgrade a companion and be on the top of the upgrade list
Jun 28, 2014, 1:23 pm
#115
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Minneapolis, originally from Cincinnati
Programs: Diamond with Delta, Hyatt and Hilton. 2 MM and Plat with America (thank you citi:))
Posts: 2,345
I asked the 'informed' agent about that. Are they using some HVC definition or strictly elite status?
He said it is strictly elite status - if you are Platinum or Diamond and on any paid fare you will be put on the list, just as before, and it would order priority as before.
He noted the only 'change' from the original upgrade scheme was you can't upgrade a companion anymore, and was explicit that no Silvers or Golds would make it on the list.
I got a similar line from a couple of phone agents. Others were parroting the 'case by case' with no detail. Who knows what the actual practice is - time will tell over the coming weeks - but I've now had a few Delta employees say the Plat / Diamond any fare thing.
Regardless of the policy I would not have cleared had I not used an SWU in advance.
He said it is strictly elite status - if you are Platinum or Diamond and on any paid fare you will be put on the list, just as before, and it would order priority as before.
He noted the only 'change' from the original upgrade scheme was you can't upgrade a companion anymore, and was explicit that no Silvers or Golds would make it on the list.
I got a similar line from a couple of phone agents. Others were parroting the 'case by case' with no detail. Who knows what the actual practice is - time will tell over the coming weeks - but I've now had a few Delta employees say the Plat / Diamond any fare thing.
Regardless of the policy I would not have cleared had I not used an SWU in advance.
I know a lot of people complain there is not much difference between GM and PM, this policy also gives a great distinction between the two levels for PM's who fly this route a lot
Jun 28, 2014, 1:39 pm
#116
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SEA, NYC
Programs: DL PM, SPG Gold, WR Gold
Posts: 5
Jun 28, 2014, 1:58 pm
#117
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
The website hasn't been updated yet:
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-upgrades.html
I guess that's no surprise, especially if they're still working out the bugs. I guess we can keep checking online.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-upgrades.html
I guess that's no surprise, especially if they're still working out the bugs. I guess we can keep checking online.
Jun 29, 2014, 9:48 am
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
This post probably belongs in the SDC/SDS thread, but I don't see why DL can't have coach SDCs restricted to fare class 24 hrs out, but then open to any available Y seat at 3 hrs out.
Jun 29, 2014, 1:09 pm
#119
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 7
I indeed posted about this last week. I edited my post to "disregard" because there was no official proof I could offer. Delta didn't delete the post. I first edited the post and I'm assuming the Mods deleted the post thereafter because there was no substance.
Jun 29, 2014, 1:23 pm
#120
Join Date: May 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat, Hertz Gold Plus 5-Star
Posts: 36
Upcoming flight this week from LAX to JFK on a 767-300 and a return flight on a 757-200. Ended up on a K and forked over the 12,500 for an UG on the return, but I'm interested to see how it's handled on the outbound. So far only 3 of the 28 BizElite seats are booked, but there are also over 50 available seats in Economy, so there might not be any pressure for the gate agent to make room in EC.