ty97

But the argument was that DMs have trouble getting upgraded today anyway. This would, presumably, weed out the lower fare DMs who are the least likely to get upgraded, so would not help OPs stated (if accurate) issue.

ty97

(off-topic, I know) but wondering which AA partners you pulled this off with, because their %s, you are right, are not as high as some DL partners.

pvn

This makes some weird implicit assumptions like people always fly the same fare class, which is pretty obviously not true.

The premise itself is pretty dumb, honestly, DMs get tons of upgrades still. People miss one upgrade and start complaining about the benefit being worthless.

I am almost 75% for the year on upgrade-eligible segments and I'm a PM based in a city that is notorious for a relatively large number of DMs and long upgrade lists.

flyerUSA

I could live with a partial waiver...like...the spend threshold gets you $10k MQD credit or something.

But if they kill it completely, I'd be seriously tempted to jump ship to American. Which would be very sad, I'm almost at MM and adore Delta, but I'd be locked out of DM most years despite living in the airport. And aside from the GUCs the main perk is the extraordinary favors they do for me, constantly, on complicated ticketing and above and beyond SDC changes etc.

Being downgraded would suck extraordinary. BTW, I would also argue that DM is much more desirable and urgent for flyers like me whose employer will only pay coach.

If I could fly in paid D1...who needs perks? Such a person can surely just pay for everything anyway, most of the time. Club visits, change fees, whatever else.

AdamNP

Mostly CX PE, with a bit of QR J. BA also has regular PE deals that are very worthwhile. The best CX and BA PE fares are usually from Europe, particularly Scandinavia.

ty97

Of course, but this is intended to weed out those who spend less on average than DL considers worthwhile which implies high fare flying is not an often occurrence. Assumptions? Based on logic, sure.

That premise was not mine, I was responding to it (and taking issue with it)

I have done decently for myself as a PM as well this year. Not 75%, but I'm generally pleased.

LAStotheWorld

If this goes through, guess I am only going to be DM for 2018 and that's it.

Flying from LAS to Japan, KE is looking better each and every day. 1 stop in ICN to multiple destinations vs the 2-3 stops AND a domestic connection I go through with DL.

DL was nice enough to offer Pay with Miles to offset the cost but I would rather pay what I was going to pay anyway to fly to Asia straight from my home airport.

I was going to dump my Reserve card if I made the switch to KE. I just might dump it regardless.

Qwkynuf

I'm looking forward to having whole ROWS of FC to spread out in, once the exodus of everyone who is going to "take their business elsewhere" over this begins.

If I wasn't just a little bit lazy I would spend some time comparing the names of the folks who were leaving because of the May '16 C+ changes to the people who are leaving because of this change. It would be amusing to see if there was overlap.

355F1

Based on past announcements, how much warning will we get before the new year begins?

I ask because I am in the process of booking a trip to JNB in January and was going to fly on VS in PE for the credit to DL. I can also book PE on BA for the same price but wanted to try VS.

youvesaiditall

FWIW, I am CLT based and have a very high percentage of upgrades (90% or so). Mostly on LUTV fares as well. Typical flight schedule is CLT-ATL-Southeast US. Depart Tuesday AM and return Thursday PM.

micstatic

I realize this is my third negative post in a row. But many of you are chasing something that won't exist in a few years. 80percent is the paid f goal. And by all accounts it looks like they will hit it. Yeah you may be diamond. But you probably will not get upgraded often. Things are changing. John Doe is going to take your upgrade for an extra 79 bucks. And he only flies once a year

Renes Points

It pains me to say it: +1 - THIS!

Those who remain - those who are yelling "Thin the herd"

They will be the ones fighting for a C+ middle seat "upgrade"

While FO's will pay $79 to sit in one of the 20x2020 1st class seats!

AdamNP

I agree with you. I thought AA's elite program was far better than DL's before this, and now it is just more so. I matched DL because I have a Skyteam flight that will fulfill the challenge, so why not?

AA EXP upgrades are nearly constant, you can just select MCE, not wait for an "upgrade" to it, and OW Emerald gives you real and serious benefits, whereas ST Elite+, not so much. You can also use AA miles for longhaul J on partners for very reasonable amounts. I'm certainly not leaving AA anytime soon.

I just chimed in on this thread because I think it's actually a good move by Delta. Certainly terrible for AMEX though.

ty97

I switched to DL from AA last year (pros and cons to both, as with everything. DL works for me at the moment. No hard feeling against AA at all, just where life took me at this point). The one thing I'm shocked by (and pleased by for AA fliers) is that AA has not implemented FCM yet like DL/UA. I can't expect that will last forever though (but hope it does for AA fliers!)

MCO Flyer

I think the main reason AA hasn't gone to pushing for more FCM is AA aircraft generally have less F seats compared to others. AAs A319s only have 8F vs DLs 12F, AAs A321s have 16F vs DLs A321s/757s with 20F.