rylan

Nice that they offer the program. Good move by DL

krakendown

Good for Delta and great for us. Love it!

Wimsta

I'm all for it. I want to take some credit for convincing them to do this because I sent multiple emails about how the government shutdown impacted my travel (use of benefits).

But I'm not sure when the best time to apply this will be. I should get Platinum this year anyway. I like seeing everyone's commentary.

mridley2

I'm sure one PM who couldn't' fly for a 4-5 weeks was what did it for Delta! No doubt.

I think it's a smart business move on Delta's part. As I would not qualify for any status reclaim (and don't need it now anyway) I'm not thrilled about more PM's to compete with for upgrades. But if the shoe were on my foot i would indeed appreciate this benefit from Delta.

jdrtravel

I think upgrades are only going to become more and more rare anyways. The other benefits of medallion status seem much more important.

BenA

Another case of Delta copying an Alaska benefit, although in this situation they definitely improved on it by making it eligible for life situations of all kinds rather than just parental leave. Great, customer friendly move - nothing too radical, essentially a formalization of the status challenge process along with a willingness to consider circumstances to offer it more than once per lifetime, but will make a huge difference in keeping folks' business when they return to frequent travel.

Mountain Explorer

You mean US companies of course. The rest of the world figured that one out decades ago

mnredfox

Mountain Explorer

I'm pretty sure this only applies to Medallion status. I don't know what alternate programs you expect from Delta

indufan

I haven't read the details yet but this may be perfectly timed for me. I have been DM for every year except the charter year and I had some short term disability this past winter which delayed the start of my travel year until the end of March. I was ready to kiss DM goodbye.

RooseveltL

I read it earlier. Good PR and marketing. Reality - a few of the scenarios they give would be benign to the airline as passenger likely won't benefit as much because of the huge reduction in travel
e.g. new parents - likely shouldn't be traveling as much within first two years. E.g. A Diamond (traveling Domestic) might reduce his/her journeys if the first child.
new career - unless job/role requires travel probably won't accumulate as much vacation (unless work from home) quickly to make it worthwhile
new career #2 - if switching roles/career must verify the new corporation T&E policy uses Delta for its corporate account otherwise, might have to explain why choosing Delta whereas corporate contract is *A or 1W
Illness/Health - similar to previous - most medical things which keeps someone from travel are the same injuries/recoveries which requires that person to remain close to hospital

pharmawalk

I received this email today and think it is great. I'm getting ready to move to a new location and during the initial period my travel will be curtailed while I get everything with my lab sorted out. This is very timely IMHO.

hotturnip

I have a feeling this will end up like the hotels' Best Price Guarantees: lots of denied claims and hurt feelings.

tentseller

This will work out for me as I have two more years of rollover DM thanks to non-US residency.
DL stop flying their own metal to HKG so I have status matched to CX.
When My rollover runs out hopefully DL will have enough 350s to reinstate SEA HKG.

Mountain Explorer

If that was the plan, why would they go out of their way to set up the program in the first place. I personally see no indication that DL is insincere.