Thanks for the memories...
Nov 18, 2015, 11:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 732
Thanks for the memories...
I retired last year as a DM. I had thought we would to continue to travel, but my wife (PM) has become seriously ill and has had to quit traveling, as have I to take care of her. I just completed a mileage run to JNB to at least hold on to PM so I can use our 800k SM or so and still make penalty-free changes. On my last trip, I tried to use my remaining GUC's, but only worked on the outbound. Return 16 hours to ATL in coach. Ouch! So I have one remaining GUC expiring in 2 weeks.
It's been a great run. Have been DM most of last 10 years, but I have no illusions. It's a business. Travel is not much fun anymore anyway, and the "loyalty" rewards have reached diminishing returns (see expiring GUC). So good luck to all you road warriors still fighting the bean counters.
I think I know the answer, and yes, I do read the fine print, so don't quote it to me. But have any of you had any luck with getting a GUC reissued/extended for compassionate reasons?
It's been a great run. Have been DM most of last 10 years, but I have no illusions. It's a business. Travel is not much fun anymore anyway, and the "loyalty" rewards have reached diminishing returns (see expiring GUC). So good luck to all you road warriors still fighting the bean counters.
I think I know the answer, and yes, I do read the fine print, so don't quote it to me. But have any of you had any luck with getting a GUC reissued/extended for compassionate reasons?
Nov 18, 2015, 1:14 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 732
Sorry, I have been in the highest published level for 10 years. I've been in the DAL FF program since its inception, and I was in the DM inaugural class. But I think it's been longer than 5 years! Love FT Forum; even irrelevant details are held up for scrutiny!
Nov 18, 2015, 3:14 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
It never hurts to ask.
Several years ago, I carelessly allowed a TCV to expire. I found that out on the day it was expired, and it was no longer useable.
I do not remember if I called or e-mailed, but to my very pleasant surprise DL issued a new TCV that was good for a year.
It was entirely my fault and I had no expectation that it could happen, but you never know unless you ask.
Smyrnaflyer, so sorry to hear about your wife. Best wishes.
David
Several years ago, I carelessly allowed a TCV to expire. I found that out on the day it was expired, and it was no longer useable.
I do not remember if I called or e-mailed, but to my very pleasant surprise DL issued a new TCV that was good for a year.
It was entirely my fault and I had no expectation that it could happen, but you never know unless you ask.
Smyrnaflyer, so sorry to hear about your wife. Best wishes.
David
Nov 18, 2015, 3:20 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
I'm not far behind you, as far the relinquishment of being DM goes. Travel is definitely not what it once was and with all the devaluations and with loyalty being thrown out the window, traveling will soon be a thing of the past unless absolutely necessary. Hey, all good things come to an end! Good luck and best to your wife.
Nov 18, 2015, 5:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
I haven't used a GUC yet myself, but I thought I remembered reading some success stories of applying a GUC to travel that occurs after expiration so long as there was immediate availability at booking (so the GUC is used before it expires). If this isn't policy, your odds of getting an exception are better if the GUC could be used immediately on a specific flight rather than an expiration extension.
Nov 18, 2015, 10:30 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western Wisconsin
Programs: DL DM, HH Devalued Diamond, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 800
So sorry to hear of your wife's illness. I also have 2 GUCs unused this year expiring on 1/4. I could use them on some regional I guess... Thinking hard about whether I will choose them next year or not.
I did inquire on the DM line if I could find a flight in Feb or Mar with availability and apply them and they said I had to USE them before the expiration.
Best wishes to you and your wife!
I did inquire on the DM line if I could find a flight in Feb or Mar with availability and apply them and they said I had to USE them before the expiration.
Best wishes to you and your wife!
Nov 19, 2015, 6:57 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: LAXatives
Programs: Delta Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Diplomat, Hertz Chairman's Square, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 390
It never hurts to ask.
Several years ago, I carelessly allowed a TCV to expire. I found that out on the day it was expired, and it was no longer useable.
I do not remember if I called or e-mailed, but to my very pleasant surprise DL issued a new TCV that was good for a year.
It was entirely my fault and I had no expectation that it could happen, but you never know unless you ask.
Smyrnaflyer, so sorry to hear about your wife. Best wishes.
David
Several years ago, I carelessly allowed a TCV to expire. I found that out on the day it was expired, and it was no longer useable.
I do not remember if I called or e-mailed, but to my very pleasant surprise DL issued a new TCV that was good for a year.
It was entirely my fault and I had no expectation that it could happen, but you never know unless you ask.
Smyrnaflyer, so sorry to hear about your wife. Best wishes.
David
Sorry, I should have clarified: "No way to extend per the fine print, but YMMV like all rules!"
Like you said, it never hurts to ask, worst they can say is no right?
Nov 19, 2015, 7:07 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Nov 19, 2015, 10:42 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Seattle, 98155
Programs: Now MGM/Hyatt/IHG Gold Previously: DL DM, DL Reserve, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLAT, M Life PLAT, IHG PLAT
Posts: 649
I haven't used a GUC yet myself, but I thought I remembered reading some success stories of applying a GUC to travel that occurs after expiration so long as there was immediate availability at booking (so the GUC is used before it expires). If this isn't policy, your odds of getting an exception are better if the GUC could be used immediately on a specific flight rather than an expiration extension.
find a destination or few you want you want to use and then check for OP class by calling in,
if they have it they can immediately upgrade you even if cert expired on day of travel.
Hope all will be well soon and you guys BOTH!! can do a RTW Biz trip with the 800k with a few 62.5k one segment in one, one-way itin that will then probably do not cost you European originate fee as well
JFK-AMS-HKG-SEA?
one should book soon due to the devaluation of dynamic pricing soon though
Nov 19, 2015, 10:46 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
I retired last year as a DM. I had thought we would to continue to travel, but my wife (PM) has become seriously ill and has had to quit traveling, as have I to take care of her. I just completed a mileage run to JNB to at least hold on to PM so I can use our 800k SM or so and still make penalty-free changes. On my last trip, I tried to use my remaining GUC's, but only worked on the outbound. Return 16 hours to ATL in coach. Ouch! So I have one remaining GUC expiring in 2 weeks.
It's been a great run. Have been DM most of last 10 years, but I have no illusions. It's a business. Travel is not much fun anymore anyway, and the "loyalty" rewards have reached diminishing returns (see expiring GUC). So good luck to all you road warriors still fighting the bean counters.
I think I know the answer, and yes, I do read the fine print, so don't quote it to me. But have any of you had any luck with getting a GUC reissued/extended for compassionate reasons?
It's been a great run. Have been DM most of last 10 years, but I have no illusions. It's a business. Travel is not much fun anymore anyway, and the "loyalty" rewards have reached diminishing returns (see expiring GUC). So good luck to all you road warriors still fighting the bean counters.
I think I know the answer, and yes, I do read the fine print, so don't quote it to me. But have any of you had any luck with getting a GUC reissued/extended for compassionate reasons?
Cheers. Sharon
Nov 19, 2015, 6:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
Programs: DA Diamond(1 MM), Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador/Charter Ambassador, Hyatt Glob, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 885
Best wishes to you and your wife. I can only imagine the shock to the system of stopping traveling. Add to that the reason you are stoping and wow. Good luck and Gods speed.