Delta selling upgrades instead of upgrading Medallions?
Jun 5, 2015, 7:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Delta selling upgrades instead of upgrading Medallions?
I've made Delta Platinum last year and with it (so I thought) the benefit of getting medallion upgrades 5 days before departure.
I haven't been on a single flight this year where this was the case, instead Delta seems to push selling upgrades much more intensely.
Are others seeing the same?
I haven't been on a single flight this year where this was the case, instead Delta seems to push selling upgrades much more intensely.
Are others seeing the same?
Jun 5, 2015, 7:49 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Can someone grab me a beer? This might be a bumpy ride over to the FCM thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html
Last edited by Crazyhotelguy; Jun 5, 2015 at 7:57 am
Jun 5, 2015, 7:51 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,082
Turns out that PM isn't all it's cracked up to be. I try to attain for reasons other than the upgrades. Lots of previous threads on this topic. FCM (first class monetization) has been a popular subject. Welcome to the new DL.
Jun 5, 2015, 7:51 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,192
Absolutely... I take it you haven't seen any posts or giant threads around here about this topic? 
Your loyalty is only worth as much as you are willing to pay to DL now.
Your loyalty is only worth as much as you are willing to pay to DL now.
Jun 5, 2015, 8:01 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Jun 5, 2015, 8:06 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,369
UG expectations should be grounded in the reality of supply and demand, and your travel patterns play a big part here (e.g., BNA-MSP on Wed at 11am is a lot different than ATL-SLC on Mon at 8am)
that being said, we all know what DL is doing to the supply ...
that being said, we all know what DL is doing to the supply ...
Jun 5, 2015, 8:11 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LGA/JFK
Programs: DL PM, UA Premier, AA Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Sixt Plat
Posts: 500
I've made Delta Platinum last year and with it (so I thought) the benefit of getting medallion upgrades 5 days before departure.
I haven't been on a single flight this year where this was the case, instead Delta seems to push selling upgrades much more intensely.
Are others seeing the same?
I haven't been on a single flight this year where this was the case, instead Delta seems to push selling upgrades much more intensely.
Are others seeing the same?
Jun 5, 2015, 8:21 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
While people on FT like to derisively refer to a commercial air carrier selling seats as FCM, other people who work in the business community would call it selling a service.
As DL management works for its shareholders and the company seems to be doing quite well, they are quite happy.
Who is not happy? People who used to benefit from freebies who don't any more.
This issue is belabored every day. It is over. There will, of course, continue to be occasional freebies and it is a nice thing to take care of a regular customer when the occasion presents itself. But, the suggestion that DL ought to forgo sales for charity to people who don't need charity seems misplaced.
As DL management works for its shareholders and the company seems to be doing quite well, they are quite happy.
Who is not happy? People who used to benefit from freebies who don't any more.
This issue is belabored every day. It is over. There will, of course, continue to be occasional freebies and it is a nice thing to take care of a regular customer when the occasion presents itself. But, the suggestion that DL ought to forgo sales for charity to people who don't need charity seems misplaced.
Jun 5, 2015, 8:27 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Because to some extent it's false advertising.
Delta ask for loyalty and the $'s associated with it for which in return certain incentives are offered like 5 day comp upgrades. Offering that incentive but never making good on it is misleading.
I get why they are selling the upgrades and from a monetization perspective they probably should but then don't offer me a loyalty incentive that's never fulfilled.
Delta ask for loyalty and the $'s associated with it for which in return certain incentives are offered like 5 day comp upgrades. Offering that incentive but never making good on it is misleading.
I get why they are selling the upgrades and from a monetization perspective they probably should but then don't offer me a loyalty incentive that's never fulfilled.
Jun 5, 2015, 8:28 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,667
The following are the PM features that are of value to me, in absence of upgrades which have been quit rare for me this year.
Redeposit of miles without fees
Partner airline lounge access
C+ at time of booking
IRROP handling
Sky zone boarding and check-in
The last one has been quite tangible, it was certainly quite nice to skip the long kettle lines at HEL and AMS a couple of weeks ago.
Redeposit of miles without fees
Partner airline lounge access
C+ at time of booking
IRROP handling
Sky zone boarding and check-in
The last one has been quite tangible, it was certainly quite nice to skip the long kettle lines at HEL and AMS a couple of weeks ago.
Jun 5, 2015, 8:32 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
Because to some extent it's false advertising.
Delta ask for loyalty and the $'s associated with it for which in return certain incentives are offered like 5 day comp upgrades. Offering that incentive but never making good on it is misleading.
I get why they are selling the upgrades and from a monetization perspective they probably should but then don't offer me a loyalty incentive that's never fulfilled.
Delta ask for loyalty and the $'s associated with it for which in return certain incentives are offered like 5 day comp upgrades. Offering that incentive but never making good on it is misleading.
I get why they are selling the upgrades and from a monetization perspective they probably should but then don't offer me a loyalty incentive that's never fulfilled.
Your point about loyalty is well taken, though. The comp upgrades do build loyalty. It remains to be seen what FCM does to DL's loyalty ....
Jun 5, 2015, 8:35 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
OK - I am a DM and very recently (last 7 days) booked a multi-itinerary trip that includes SLC (overnight) and PDX and redeye. I booked and was given the option about 5 minutes later to upgrade the entire trip to F for 270$ IIRC. I jumped - I decided it was not worth waiting for the UG lottery when I could have confirmed GAP fare in F. I really think it is a smart move by DL. As Bubba would say- WFBF.
I think we all (including - err actually especially Diamonds) should get used to this. Oh and BTW -yes this belongs in the FCM thread IMHO.
I think we all (including - err actually especially Diamonds) should get used to this. Oh and BTW -yes this belongs in the FCM thread IMHO.
Last edited by GRALISTAIR; Jun 5, 2015 at 10:57 am
Jun 5, 2015, 8:42 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
If I hired an intern and asked him to work on a project and would tell him, "hey, if you complete this to my satisfaction I'll give you a 1k bonus ". Now, in reality I'm a grumpy guy and will never be satisfied, so even though you did a great job, you will not get the bonus - I think he could rightfully say that I mislead him
I know I don't have a "right" to an upgrade and I know Delta is a business that optimizes for profit as it should but offering $89 upgrades out of tiny airport mid-day instead of making good on their loyalty incentives disincentives any loyalty.