It's Good to be Gold...
Nov 1, 2018, 5:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
Check out the Premium Fare Deals forum.
Nov 1, 2018, 7:09 pm
#17
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: 10,334
Nov 1, 2018, 7:58 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
Discomfort +? Seems the routes I fly they are squeezed in there with large passengers in C+. Even when the back of the plane is not full and could be in a row with an empty midle.
Also guess only Golds get drink vouchers. Just hit Diamond for 2019 and nary a drink voucher for me.
Also guess only Golds get drink vouchers. Just hit Diamond for 2019 and nary a drink voucher for me.
Nov 1, 2018, 8:43 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,351
Yeah, I've liked being Gold too. I can't see that Platinum is that much better. It seems like there's a big jump from Silver to Gold, and the next big jump in benefits isn't until Diamond. The lounge access on international Y flights is awesome. (Being based in ATL, upgrades are non-existent for me, but I love the access to preferred seating--even in Basic Economy!)
Nov 1, 2018, 9:37 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NYC/Paris
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 111
I’m surprised to hear that... Also JFK-based and my overall upgrade percentage this year is 46% and I started the year out as an FO. I think it really just depends on where/when you fly.
Nov 1, 2018, 9:41 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
Nov 2, 2018, 4:01 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Oh I know. I even emailed DL and was told that is no longer a benefit and I may get them in my renewal packet (response from the Diamond Desk per the email signature).
Twitter was a fail also.
i just gave up after that.
Twitter was a fail also.
i just gave up after that.
Nov 2, 2018, 11:53 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: Delta PM, SPG, Hertz Presidents Circle, IHG Ambassador, CLEAR/Global Entry
Posts: 239
Good Choice on Staying with Delta. There are many more benefits that I have encountered especially when travelling overseas and when scheduling hiccups or IRROPS occur. You would be surprised how much it can help even to have a bit of status with an airline. Get familiar with the routes that are difficult to upgrade on (hubs, major connections, large cities) and plan accordingly. Consider the Amex Reserve card for the companion certificate and use the Same Day Confirmed and Same Day Stand By rules and fee waivers to your advantage. And remember that all though MQMs reset every year, your skymiles do not expire.
Enjoy and travel and dont be afraid to call the gold medallion line with any questions. Also, get used to the term HUCB (hang up call back) if you dont get the answer you were hoping for or believe to be incorrect.
Happy Landings...
Enjoy and travel and dont be afraid to call the gold medallion line with any questions. Also, get used to the term HUCB (hang up call back) if you dont get the answer you were hoping for or believe to be incorrect.
Happy Landings...
Nov 2, 2018, 11:57 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
Highly route and date dependent in NYC. I am a PM based in NYC, mostly flying out of LGA on mid week hops to Chicago, Florida, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Cleveland and I'm at an 85% upgrade rate (check out my posts in the upgrade forum). My last 4 flights had upgrades at the 5 day window
I've even had a bunch of gate LGA-ATL upgrades, but I've missed (with a RUC) several transcons including JFK-SEA and JFK-SAN in lie flats.
I've even had a bunch of gate LGA-ATL upgrades, but I've missed (with a RUC) several transcons including JFK-SEA and JFK-SAN in lie flats.
Nov 2, 2018, 1:05 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
Nov 2, 2018, 1:10 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
Nov 4, 2018, 10:03 am
#28
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I was Gold for 5 months this year on my way to PM. I ended up with an upgrade percentage of 53.57% (15/28) compared to 34.78% (8/23) in 2017 (and 0.00% (0/2) as a FO in 2018) and 40.00% (4/10) in 2016 when I was FO. I also only missed C+ on one flight. I felt that the access to free SDC was a nice perk as was the better recognition and treatment by SC agents, gate agents and phone agents when I needed help. Sky boarding on single class planes was nice too. It's definitely a better level of service. Most of the airlines seem to feel that elite tiers really start at the Gold level and that the Silver level is essentially Credit Card+.
Nov 4, 2018, 10:32 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
I was Gold for 5 months this year on my way to PM. I ended up with an upgrade percentage of 53.57% (15/28) compared to 34.78% (8/23) in 2017 (and 0.00% (0/2) as a FO in 2018) and 40.00% (4/10) in 2016 when I was FO. I also only missed C+ on one flight. I felt that the access to free SDC was a nice perk as was the better recognition and treatment by SC agents, gate agents and phone agents when I needed help. Sky boarding on single class planes was nice too. It's definitely a better level of service. Most of the airlines seem to feel that elite tiers really start at the Gold level and that the Silver level is essentially Credit Card+.
Nov 4, 2018, 1:33 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 495
I was Gold for 5 months this year on my way to PM. I ended up with an upgrade percentage of 53.57% (15/28) compared to 34.78% (8/23) in 2017 (and 0.00% (0/2) as a FO in 2018) and 40.00% (4/10) in 2016 when I was FO. I also only missed C+ on one flight. I felt that the access to free SDC was a nice perk as was the better recognition and treatment by SC agents, gate agents and phone agents when I needed help. Sky boarding on single class planes was nice too. It's definitely a better level of service. Most of the airlines seem to feel that elite tiers really start at the Gold level and that the Silver level is essentially Credit Card+.