As mentioned above, I've never seen anyone post here that they were granted Medallion status for IROPS or other complaints. So, while you can suggest - I guess - anything on the planet that you'd like to have, you shouldn't be disappointed that you didn't get it!

That said, I've seen occasional posts where people were given <for example - not actual numbers> 10,000 regular redeemable miles for a complaint, and they wrote back and told Delta that they would rather have 1000 MQMs instead, and they were turned down, as they just don't give MQMs as compensation. Status, I guess you could say, is the grand prize of accruing MQMs, so, it only seems logical that you wouldn't get it.



BTW . . . .

What'sa Northwest???

I'm a little ethically bothered by your post. You seemed to ask DL to give you the compensation due to all the other members of your group. That's pretty shady in my opinion.

If you're only flying two or three times a year, silver status has no real value for you because the benefits of being just silver are trivial because

1) upgrades are unlikely, you'd probably board with zone 1 (which you can get by having the right credit card),

2) you might get to check a bag for free (worth maybe $25, but you can get the same w/ the right credit card),

3) you'll get a few bonus points (but nothing that valuable meaningful), and

you should be setting an example for your students and using this as an teaching opportunity and not being selfish.

Bob H

Thanks for that.
I didn't think that Delta would be willing to compensate my entire group, and I'm happy that they are!

Silver may not be worth it for me in your opinion, but getting on board a little early, free checked bag, and a few spare miles would be really nice. I'd be really, really happy with that. I did not perceive selfishness, as I didn't think I was asking for much!

My apologies to everyone here that thinks I'm a jerk (or "ethically shady"). My question was only, "I asked for something of little-to-no cash value to the airline, why are they giving my group $2k?" I think perhaps I should have phrased my original post a little better. In any event, I had no idea that I was asking for something so apparently out-of-line. You all have educated me, and I extend a sincere apology.

I don't think anyone thinks you're a jerk, and like I said above, you can ask for ANYTHING, but it's good to be prepared for a "no". Based on your earlier post here:

It sounds like you never even considered that they MIGHT say no, and offer you a different type of compensation, or that perhaps, what you were asking for is simply not something that's offered at all in these situations.

Bolding mine.

These things you are wanting (upgrades aside) as others have pointed out come with the Gold and higher Delta Amex. This would include boarding a little early, free checked bag and probably more spare miles with a signup bonus than you'd get in 2-3 years of flying, especially with the miles for dollars rolling out in 2015, you may want to look into it. The $95 fee on the gold version is waived in year one and if you are checking a bag on 2-3 RTs a year, you'll recoup the $95 AF in two trips of checked bags. I bolded your earlier post but it seems the key to happiness is in your hands.

+1

The 30,000 mile standard sign-up bonus would be more than you get from the Silver bonus unless you plan to fly 120,000 miles, which it sounds like you don't. The fee is very reasonable if you check bags.

No offense (well, maybe a little) but you seem slow on the uptake.

Delta wants to give you those benefits. It's called getting a Delta Amex. Why won't you accept this and move on? So you had a cancelled flight. Big deal.

I personally find it repulsive that you think you should be given such a personal benefit because your group had a problem. If it were you alone you'd recognize how truly absurd a request being given silver medallion status for one cancelled flight is.

I understand you think you helped supply delta with lots of business for a group booking but a one time traveling in a group to a music competition isn't going to make delta desperate enough for your revenue to cave into such a bizarre demand.

Take your seventy five dollars and use it towards another flight or find another airline. I hear United has exemplary customer service.

If they handed out status based on this situation, there were be a TON of folks getting it.

Not that uncommon of an issue.

And, to be honest, getting $75 is a pretty good deal.

I think 2 years of silver status is a bit much, the compensation that was provided was because everyone was inconvenienced, not just you. If it works out to $75 per person, yeah, that seems a bit on the low side, I've received 5k miles for a 2 hr delay, and $100-150 for a cancel in the past.

Just as a comparison, pax on US1549 got a year of Chairman status, after their crash. That would be more worthy of 2 years of comp'd status, IMHO.

I would have pushed for lifetime CP in that instance

I also find the OP a bit selfish in their request. Though I am reminded of those on here who think they are HVC because they book / influence others in their company to book DL. Remember the initial MQD threads....

Perhaps the OP should have requested the MQD'S from all those tix.....

I think the offer from DL is very generous considering the norm is $50, not $75 IIRCC.

Get an AMEX if you want FO.

Thank you all for your responses. I feel I've really received a valuable education in this thread. I asked a question, and I got my answer. I intended no selfish, dubious, or unethical behavior. To those of you I offended, I sincerely apologize. I am very happy with the solution that Delta provided.

Going forward, I will personally look into the AMEX offer, as it seems to offer everything that I was looking for. I will also never request anything ridiculous again, and I think a good strategy would be to ask around before submitting any complaints to ensure that what I propose is the norm for the situation. I have to plead ignorance this time due to my inexperience. I promise you, never again.

Again, thank you all for your insight.

Sounds as though the cancellation was not within DL's control and therefore the $75 certs were a customer service gesture, not any form of compensation.

Under the theory of OP's request, every group travel organizer ought to receive the benefit of all gestures / compensation paid to groups he organizes.