Jul 14, 2015, 4:38 pm
Last edit by: Zorak
Summary of SkyMiles Upgrade Changes
Effective Aug 1, 2015, DM's on paid fares and no companions will no longer receive complimentary upgrades JFK-LAX/SFO. Delta's reps failed to disclose this in their June 14 announcement.
For travel on or after June 1, 2016, additional fare classes are eligible for SkyMiles upgrades:
Within North American and northern South America, L/U/T fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M/H/Q/K)
For all other markets, H/Q/K fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M)
SkyMiles Upgrade Awards will also require more miles. Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents: (Pricing is one-way)
(current chart based on observations has been moved to this thread: Upgrading with miles)
Effective Aug 1, 2015, DM's on paid fares and no companions will no longer receive complimentary upgrades JFK-LAX/SFO. Delta's reps failed to disclose this in their June 14 announcement.
For travel on or after June 1, 2016, additional fare classes are eligible for SkyMiles upgrades:
Within North American and northern South America, L/U/T fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M/H/Q/K)
For all other markets, H/Q/K fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M)
SkyMiles Upgrade Awards will also require more miles. Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents: (Pricing is one-way)
(current chart based on observations has been moved to this thread: Upgrading with miles)
SkyMiles July Announcements
Jul 19, 2015, 3:22 pm
#286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Unfortunately for everyone that leaves others come on board. I was one of the subjects of a WSJ article a few years back (WSJ misspelled my last name, lol) where a DL spokesperson actually is on record stating such. It's pitiful but it's the truth, airlines can get away with this when biz travel is up and demand is high like it is now.
Jul 19, 2015, 3:57 pm
#287
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AA Gold, Delta DM Hilton Diamond SPG Gold, and Foodland premium.
Posts: 824
What I'm doing isn't relevant to this thread. But if you must know, the camel's back was broken late last year. I ran to Diamond instead of ending the year at Platinum specifically so I could status match to AA EXP in Q3 of this year after passing the date where the status is good until 2017. I'm finally reaching my endgame just as DL is finally reaching theirs.
I'm done with delta.
Jul 19, 2015, 4:52 pm
#288
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,515
I am nothing more than a 150k MQM/year Delta MR'er.
I am thinking about moving to AA to earn a bunch of RDMs.
Jul 19, 2015, 5:31 pm
#290
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,361
Depending on what you value out of an elite program, you could also consider AS and credit any AA or DL flights (at least until AS and DL finally settle the divorce) you take to AS.
Jul 19, 2015, 6:05 pm
#291
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
Unfortunately for everyone that leaves others come on board. I was one of the subjects of a WSJ article a few years back (WSJ misspelled my last name, lol) where a DL spokesperson actually is on record stating such. It's pitiful but it's the truth, airlines can get away with this when biz travel is up and demand is high like it is now.
I will still like to fly Delta, but won't credit to Skymiles or use the AMEX credit card. And I am sure, AMEX will NOT get new clients for the ones they are losing. Don't forget: credit card land is not nearly as oligarchic as the airline industry. There are just too many good credit card options out there as replacement for AMEX DL.
Jul 19, 2015, 6:17 pm
#292
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,278
AA doesn't do status matches but they will do status challenges for AA GLD and AA PLAT (I don't think AA does EXP challenges).
Depending on what you value out of an elite program, you could also consider AS and credit any AA or DL flights (at least until AS and DL finally settle the divorce) you take to AS.
Depending on what you value out of an elite program, you could also consider AS and credit any AA or DL flights (at least until AS and DL finally settle the divorce) you take to AS.
Jul 19, 2015, 6:53 pm
#293
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Perhaps you were comparing CCs. I was not. Nor is the majority of this thread.
Jul 19, 2015, 7:45 pm
#295
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,110
Jul 19, 2015, 8:47 pm
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,278
The effects of dynamic pricing can now clearly be seen in the award booking process. Importantly, your origin now seems to impact your pricing.
For example, I searched two passengers between LAX and SYD in business class on the DL non-stop. All dates booked into OK (Peak) but the pricing more than doubled on the same flights if you originated your travel in SYD instead of LAX.
LAX-SYD one-way: 175k
SYD-LAX one-way: 375k
LAX-SYD-LAX round trip: 350k
SYD-LAX-SYD round trip: 750k
...
This same pattern is seen for other markets too. For example, ATL-CDG. Peak pricing if you originate in ATL is 147,500 one way or each way of your round trip. The same flights are 375,000 one way or each way of a round trip if you originate in CDG.
For example, I searched two passengers between LAX and SYD in business class on the DL non-stop. All dates booked into OK (Peak) but the pricing more than doubled on the same flights if you originated your travel in SYD instead of LAX.
LAX-SYD one-way: 175k
SYD-LAX one-way: 375k
LAX-SYD-LAX round trip: 350k
SYD-LAX-SYD round trip: 750k
...
This same pattern is seen for other markets too. For example, ATL-CDG. Peak pricing if you originate in ATL is 147,500 one way or each way of your round trip. The same flights are 375,000 one way or each way of a round trip if you originate in CDG.
Jul 19, 2015, 9:06 pm
#297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
SkyMiles July Announcements
Ok. My casual review of the 300ish posts in this thread as well as as second look at the post by wschild I originally quoted indicates, to me, that my original statement and most of this thread about new redemption amounts, RUCs, and upgrades was not centered around the Amex CCs.
I was making a point about the relative value of RDMs as a rebate on DL airfare (regardless of payment method) vs. a standard 1% or 2% cash back program.
I apologize that my lack of absolute clarity on what I was talking about allowed others to derail that point.
I was making a point about the relative value of RDMs as a rebate on DL airfare (regardless of payment method) vs. a standard 1% or 2% cash back program.
I apologize that my lack of absolute clarity on what I was talking about allowed others to derail that point.
Jul 20, 2015, 11:40 am
#298
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
They have begun to process RUCs on the transcons.
I received a voicemail and then an email that confirmed my RUC upgrade LAX-JFK in early August. I was surprised as the seat map in D1 was over half full (yes I know that it's not always indicative, but still).
Called and confirmed that they will continue to process complimentary upgrades for DMs through July 31.
I received a voicemail and then an email that confirmed my RUC upgrade LAX-JFK in early August. I was surprised as the seat map in D1 was over half full (yes I know that it's not always indicative, but still).
Called and confirmed that they will continue to process complimentary upgrades for DMs through July 31.
Jul 21, 2015, 12:28 pm
#299
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: CAE, PHL
Programs: Delta Diamond - 2 Million Miler - Flying Colonel, Hilton LTD, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 9
Well, I have 1.3 + million skymiles (sky feet?) in my account. No way I'll use them before next summer. Good news is I retire end of August, and will have flexibility to book based on best availability vice when I can get time off.
Why do I have such a balance? I couldn't make myself book at the exorbitantly high redemption rates.
Why do I have such a balance? I couldn't make myself book at the exorbitantly high redemption rates.
Jul 21, 2015, 1:31 pm
#300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,207
Anyone notice that the current pricing levels for upgrade awards isn't on the website any more either? I thought the current upgrade mileage amounts used to be listed... or did I just miss when it get pulled some time ago?