Surprisingly Good Silver Medallion Experience
Last month I went for somewhat of a mileage run when a series of schedule changes allowed me to travel from DTW-DEN-LAX-JFK-DTW-TVC for $250 in total. I was originally booked DTW-DEN-DTW, but after over eight schedule changes and some negotiation with supervisors, this new (extensive) routing was authorized at no charge. After flying five segments over a five day period, I have finally obtained a clear understanding of Delta's Silver Medallion status, and the airline's service in general. Here's what I'll share with you from what I learned/experienced summed up (keep in mind this is entirely based on my experience with Delta flying TVC-DTW-ICN-DTW-TVC DTW-DEN-LAX-JFK-DTW-TVC MKE-LGA-MIA-MSP-MKE this year, obviously, YMMV):
1. Delta is good at being on-time. Out of all of the flights I've taken with Delta this year, 100% have been on-time or early. To put this into perspective, the one trip I took with United as a Premier Silver (TVC-ORD-ZRH-ORD-TVC) resulted in me paying out of pocket for an overnight stay and getting a $50 voucher for the inconvenience. 2. Delta is reliable with checked bags. I travel for alpine skiing a lot. Whenever I travel, I typically have a carry on, personal item, and three checked bags. Out of all of these flights, not once was a single bag lost or delayed. 3. Silver Medallions do get upgraded. Obviously don't go expecting an upgrade to Delta One from LAX-JFK, but I did find myself sitting in Delta Comfort + or First Class for every single eligible flight I flew. Surprisingly, I cleared into First (RU) exactly 24 hours before my DEN-LAX, JFK-DTW, DTW-TVC, and MSP-MKE flights. No stress at the airport staring at the dreaded upgrade list. 4. The flight attendants are receptive to ALL medallions, including FOs. The times I didn't clear into First and was seated in C+, the FAs consistently came up to me prior to landing to thank me for my loyalty to Delta. Not saying they actually care, but it is a nice gesture. All-in-all I've found Delta to be a great choice - one far superior to flying United. How have your experiences been? What do you think about Delta's recognition of medallions? Let me know in the comments below! |
Originally Posted by JackFranchino
(Post 30590012)
Last month I went for somewhat of a mileage run when a series of schedule changes allowed me to travel from DTW-DEN-LAX-JFK-DTW-TVC for $250 in total. I was originally booked DTW-DEN-DTW, but after over eight schedule changes and some negotiation with supervisors, this new (extensive) routing was authorized at no charge. After flying five segments over a five day period, I have finally obtained a clear understanding of Delta's Silver Medallion status, and the airline's service in general. Here's what I'll share with you from what I learned/experienced summed up (keep in mind this is entirely based on my experience with Delta flying TVC-DTW-ICN-DTW-TVC DTW-DEN-LAX-JFK-DTW-TVC MKE-LGA-MIA-MSP-MKE this year, obviously, YMMV):
1. Delta is good at being on-time. Out of all of the flights I've taken with Delta this year, 100% have been on-time or early. To put this into perspective, the one trip I took with United as a Premier Silver (TVC-ORD-ZRH-ORD-TVC) resulted in me paying out of pocket for an overnight stay and getting a $50 voucher for the inconvenience. 2. Delta is reliable with checked bags. I travel for alpine skiing a lot. Whenever I travel, I typically have a carry on, personal item, and three checked bags. Out of all of these flights, not once was a single bag lost or delayed. 3. Silver Medallions do get upgraded. Obviously don't go expecting an upgrade to Delta One from LAX-JFK, but I did find myself sitting in Delta Comfort + or First Class for every single eligible flight I flew. Surprisingly, I cleared into First (RU) exactly 24 hours before my DEN-LAX, JFK-DTW, DTW-TVC, and MSP-MKE flights. No stress at the airport staring at the dreaded upgrade list. 4. The flight attendants are receptive to ALL medallions, including FOs. The times I didn't clear into First and was seated in C+, the FAs consistently came up to me prior to landing to thank me for my loyalty to Delta. Not saying they actually care, but it is a nice gesture. All-in-all I've found Delta to be a great choice - one far superior to flying United. How have your experiences been? What do you think about Delta's recognition of medallions? Let me know in the comments below! |
Originally Posted by koreanair720
(Post 30590021)
Out of 53 segments this year, I think I was thanked by an FA for my medallion status...once? Maybe twice?
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Originally Posted by JackFranchino
(Post 30590032)
I guess I was just "lucky"?
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Originally Posted by koreanair720
(Post 30590021)
Out of 53 segments this year, I think I was thanked by an FA for my medallion status...once? Maybe twice?
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2018 was my first year with DL status - as an FO I was pleasantly surprised by my number of upgrades this year, based out of SFO/OAK (lots of 1 stop connections via SEA, LAX, and SLC). Out of 19 segments booked in regular economy this year, I got C+ upgrades on 11 and F upgrades on 4.
I don't recall being thanked by an FA at all this year for being a medallion member, but several times I was thanked for being a silver medallion by GAs when they scanned my boarding pass. |
I've only seen medallions being thanked on one flight so far, SFO-LAX. Guy came up to all of the DMs and PMs in C+ and thanked them, except for me...
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Glad to hear of such a positive experience.
Maybe 3 or 4 years ago I was Silver and was almost constantly thanked for being a Silver Medallion Member. After losing status for a few years I regained it this year and spent much of the year at Silver. Only once did anyone thank me for being Silver... and it was one random phone agent when I called in about a schedule change. I made Gold earlier this month and only one airport agent has thanked me. It was at check in. Not a single GA or FA thanked me on any flight at either level. I did not notice them thanking higher elites either. And no upgrades yet at either level. I do enjoy the 70 pound bag allowances though. |
OP summed it up well in all my years flying with Delta, almost all of them as an FO.
It's what kept me loyal for 30 years. |
I've gotten 0 FA thanks for being a silver for 3 years. Two from check in agents in medallion lines. But the on time records and not having to deal with ORD can't be beat, so I'm sticking with them
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I, too, have no complaints regarding my experience as an FO. I had a few upgrades, a few generous reps on the Medallion line who didn’t need to be so kind, and generally nice service. I don’t ever remember getting thanked at the gate for being Silver though—that only seemed to happen once I hit Platinum and even then, it’s still maybe 70 percent of the time. (I mean, not that I need a verbal reminder of my status every flight...) |
Originally Posted by LANgradStudent
(Post 30590789)
I've gotten 0 FA thanks for being a silver for 3 years
Regards |
My PM experience this year has been exactly what I'd expect.
I never had a chance to use my free drink coupons. [Note to self: print them and give them away.] Because, I was always in C+ or better, I don't know how many of my 39 segments were eligible, but the PM UG right after booking is nice. [Note to self: book all of your travel in January, to get C+ before being demoted it GM in Feb.] The Medallion line is definitely nice. Early flights, standby and confirmed on an earlier flight, were not things I'd expected, but made a huge difference. And, no fee. The 2nd early flight was a race to the airport and I made it T-43. They checked my baggage later because PM status. I never carried 3 pieces of checked luggage, but I went around 60 lbs. a few times. The extra allowance is nice. I cleared to D1 several days early, once. I cleared to FC 7 hours early once. I cleared to FC at the gate 5 times (one was with mom, LAX-SEA, but only one seat so I gave it to her). I save the 4 RUCs for life as a GM. I cleared C+ at the gate twice, both the flight changes. Used lounges for international travel 18 times (I think), and had mom as a guest 7 times. I really couldn't count how many times I've been thanked for being a medallion. |
Originally Posted by ryw
(Post 30590237)
I don't recall being thanked by an FA at all this year for being a medallion member, but several times I was thanked for being a silver medallion by GAs when they scanned my boarding pass.
I will add they usually thank all medallions on the PA, so just to quibble over details, we are talking about a personal thank you (one on one) from an FA. Those claiming they have never been thanked by a FA is not entirely accurate. I will agree IME it is much more common from GA upon boarding pass scan. |
I've been FO for 2 years and never thanked personally. Based on the route I usually fly they'd spend the whole flight thanking people.
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