pvn

"must be working" implies that this was real to begin with.

jamesteroh

There is a big difference for me between PM and DM. The main one is I get two free upgrades to J on internatonal every year (which may not be that big of a benefit on routes with the new premium economy service and the suites but I use one set of GU's a year for DTW/LHR and I doubt Delta will use those birds on that route).

The other big benefit for me having all my flights originating out of DTW is the coterminal benefit. It's nice having other options for airports when flying to Chicago and NYC. In fact I used it tonight for my DTW/ORD flight tomorrow and was able to get on a MDW flight instead.

As far as rollover goes if people that aren't hub captives switch airlines (I know if I was NYC or LA based I sure would be if they make this change) the PM status won't be as useful and people will still have to get in the MQD spend or put $25k on an am ex to keep the status.

Unfortunately I am stuck using Delta on a lot of my flights since I use DTW but if this goes through I will use American to MIA and ORD and LGA if they are the cheaper option and use Jet Blue more if they are cheaper

kitkat77

Those of you who throw around terms like "liberating" and "empowering" likely are not weekly drudge travelers that are subject to a travel portal.

The only thing that I'll be "liberated" from in this scenario is my Choice Benefits (and therefore having to use miles or $$ to buy Club membership), and perhaps the annual fee from a Delta Amex.

SeaHawg

Agree on disappointing. Losing both of my parents within a couple years of each other, both relatively young was devastating- a negative FF program "enhancement" hardly qualifies as that...

Perspective...

jamesteroh

Must be working means it's getting Am Ex's attention and if this is real hopefully they will have some influence.

Just curious, as a Platinum would you be fine with them eliminating the waiver for that status also?

StayingHomeIsBetter

I was told the same thing, but I am beginning to lean in the direction of suspecting that AMEX is in cahoots with Delta on this.

dinanm3atl

Seems doubtful. The bigger 'loser' if this happens in AMEX. I know many people who have the Gold or Platinum DL AMEX specifically for the waiver. And they are travel heavy and in an industry that for the most part you cover your own travel. Thus booking Main Cabin or C+ is the norm.

RealHJ

No doubt that for hub captives this is more of a negative than for most others, you're very right.

You're right, I haven't felt the handcuffs of having to use a set travel portal and a set of rules like lowest cost economy flights (though I guess you can still pick a more expensive flight on an airline of your choice?), though I normally select the lowest cost option anyway, but sometimes it's Y, sometimes it's J (like when UA gave me 50,000 miles for just one RT HNL-IAD flight in J, with dual aisle access, thank you very much).

But again, you are being a bit overly dramatic. Why waste (OK, or "spend" if you'd like to look at it so) money on DL SkyClub membership - so very limited, instead of getting one of countless credit cards (no need to go for AmEx Plat at its hefty annual fee) with Priority Pass membership included? Then you will get access to many fold more lounges, many better lounges than SkyClub, when flying any airline. And if you have to buy the lowest cost ticket, just pay to upgrade to C+ on the longer flights; even if you pay that out of pocket, it may be an investment well worth making. Plus, flying different airlines, different product makes the hassle of frequent traveling more interesting and rewarding, IMO.*

*Though that is more so if you fly int'l. W/in US there's only a few choices, each not much better than the other. Still though, it can be a welcome break from the routine to experience different in-flight product, different connecting airports, etc.

gooselee

That certainly sounds a bit more appropriate.

As a PM who exceeds DM MQDs each year, I certainly would be, but now we're getting back into the usual FT banter of "what's good for me is the way it ought to be."

pvn

yes. most of my trips are last minute and relatively short so MQDs have never been a problem for me.

pvn

same.

pvn

you can't have any influence if the whole scheme was just made up to begin with

jamesteroh

I would be surprised if this is the case. Unlike Delta, I've found Am Ex to be pretty upfront and honest and to have great customer service skills (making calls to members about these inquiries where Delta emails everyone the same canned response).

When Am Ex called me they told me they weren't aware of any changes and it was "business as usual" They didn't tell me anything about receiving a bunch of responses but I snail/emailed them the day after Rene posted the contact info so they probably hadn't received much feedback then.

bergamini

I'm so glad you've only made this point once in this thread.

Renes Points

ZING! - ^