Rumor: DL removing complementary upgrades
Oct 19, 2014, 1:53 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2009
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I just took delivery of some popcorn I bought from a kid raising money for his school.
What fortuitous timing!
What fortuitous timing!
Oct 19, 2014, 1:54 pm
#32
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-Somebody misunderstood the removal of medallion upgrades from E fares and has declared the removal of complimentary upgrades more broadly
-It's a leak by Delta, as kind of a Jedi mind-****k to AA which has yet to reconcile free upgrades in US Dividend Miles with paid sticker upgrades for <EXP in AA AAdvantage.
Oct 19, 2014, 1:56 pm
#33
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Oct 19, 2014, 2:03 pm
#34
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Ummm . . . IBTL
Oct 19, 2014, 2:15 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2005
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HAHAHAHAHA the sky is falling - the SkyMiles has been around for over 30 years - the core of the program is earning miles in return for loyalty. That is being gutted starting next year. Free upgrades have been around for perhaps 15 years and they started out as I noted above requiring a certain fare basis.
Last edited by FlyingUnderTheRadar; Oct 19, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Oct 19, 2014, 2:21 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2003
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One can dream =-). That would be the BIGGEST positive for SkyMiles in years.
Oct 19, 2014, 2:32 pm
#37
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E was the trial balloon. X, V and maybe LUT are next.
Oct 19, 2014, 2:38 pm
#38
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Oct 19, 2014, 2:50 pm
#39
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And you had to earn/cash in 800-mile segment upgrade certificates or whatever they were called (similar to AA stickers I guess). This was how it worked when I was first FO in the late 90s. I definitely remember comparing prices and buying up for longer flights to be eligible for an upgrade if the price difference was reasonable...back when FO upgrades weren't so elusive. Rewards for higher spend, imagine that.
Oct 19, 2014, 2:57 pm
#40
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It was a K fare with LUT below it at the time. You left out V fares -- the new order is actually LUTXVE. Will they go back to K+? I doubt it as FCM has conditioned a significant number of flyers to buy F if they want it (last quarter had 44% paid F).
Oct 19, 2014, 3:04 pm
#41
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Mbwmbw is entertaining.
Oct 19, 2014, 3:21 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,039
With the domestic airline industry less competitive, it's not unrealistic for DL to begin restricting access to the First Class cabin (but no changes to EC).
DL could, for example, restrict select fare buckets based on status (for example, Diamonds would be eligible on any fare excluding E but Silver would be eligible only with MBY). Any remaining seats would be offered for purchase, with the amount variable based on status -- e.g. ATL-LAX could run $50 for a Platinum to $200 for non-status. Upgrades would be offered based on status & fare class ticketed in.
Ultimately, where would FF like Gold go? To be #67 on the upgrade list on UA or AA? Especially since many DL FF are captive to the hub market they reside in, due to work contracts.
DL could, for example, restrict select fare buckets based on status (for example, Diamonds would be eligible on any fare excluding E but Silver would be eligible only with MBY). Any remaining seats would be offered for purchase, with the amount variable based on status -- e.g. ATL-LAX could run $50 for a Platinum to $200 for non-status. Upgrades would be offered based on status & fare class ticketed in.
Ultimately, where would FF like Gold go? To be #67 on the upgrade list on UA or AA? Especially since many DL FF are captive to the hub market they reside in, due to work contracts.
Oct 19, 2014, 3:25 pm
#43
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Oct 19, 2014, 3:47 pm
#44
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This, except they don't need to "save face" but "continue advertising a benefit that lots of people like but fewer people will see".
Oct 19, 2014, 4:13 pm
#45
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fishy like the clam soup I had for lunch today.