rylan

Its what we do!

readywhenyouare

Agreed. This is a big slap in the face.

MSPeconomist

We're editing and de-bugging it for DL for free.....and we know more about the details of DL's FF program than DL employees do.

tardyturtle

I agree with earlier posters that it’s important to note whether this policy changes only the clearance window or also the priority.

I have travelled several times with Mrs. tardyturtle on separate PNRs for several reasons (different return dates, not wanting to fill out company paperwork when she joins me for a trip, her flight is getting reimbursed by a different entity than mine). In all of those cases, she was placed below other elites (not sure if above award tickets or below all silvers in general—but either way significantly below me). Usually in those cases what happened was Mrs. tardyturtle got my seat and I sat in back. Companions on separate PNRs are not eligible for Comfort+, which has always baffled me. Fortunately, I have had gate agents give me pity and seat me in C+ when this happens

sssssss340

The new language is up on the Delta site, and I have to say, it makes absolutely no sense to prioritise companions without any status over those with status of their own, but that seems to be the plan

Zorak

It does seem like the companion must be at least a "General Member" i.e. must have a SkyMiles number on the reservation, so there isn't a "leave off your number and submit for credit afterward" loophole.

Regardless, add me to the list of people that are confused by Medallion+General clearing higher than Medallion+Lower Medallion (like, I understand how it works, but not why they chose to do it this way)

BNAChairman

I used this benefit tonight for an upgrade on a flight this Saturday. I do wonder if it has to do with Covid-19 related seat blocking. If I travel alone my upgrade requires two first class seats under the current blocking scheme. When a companion travels with me she may upgrade into the previously blocked empty seat next to me. Makes sense to streamline companion upgrades as a goodwill gesture since the seat would otherwise be empty. They may reverse the decision after the blocking ends.

BenA

THIS is plausible. Delta could be doing it to pack F cabins fuller than 50% by upgrading more pairs of people, so they can sell more seats in economy.

At least now we know what they're getting out of this change. It devalues the F value proposition, but we were already going to be there as soon as they started selling it over 50% anyway...

sydneyracquelle

This introduces all kinds of shena at the gate for who is the prettiest girl waiting for the flight. I really hope she doesn’t have any DL status. If she doesn’t even have a SM number I’ll apply for one on the spot for her and then we’ll tell the gate agent she is my coworker.

rylan

So will there be pax posting to sell 'PNR links' for upgrades on Ebay now?

MCO Flyer

I really don’t understand why everyone is so up in arms over this decision. DL has always had a policy that you can link a companion traveling on the same route on a separate PNR for a comp UG, but they were last in UG priority. Now DL is making it like they are on the same reservation and the companion will have the same UG priority as the medallion member. It still seems strange that this only applies to non-status companions and C+ is not eligible, but I’d assume DL’s IT is limiting this. As far as someone trying to pull a “shena” with this new policy, it would be extremely unlikely they’d be able to pull it off as the companion pax will need to be on the same exact routing and flights as the medallion, so it would be hard to solicit.

Dutch101

The "up in arms" is obviously not the ability to link and get upgrades for companions, but this part of it: (If) Platinum and Silver Medallion Members are traveling together [on separate but linked reservations], the Platinum Medallion Member will clear at the Platinum window and the Silver Medallion Member will clear at the Silver window. That is exactly the situation my spouse will be in, seems crazy that her Silver status will clear after non-status.

cmd320

This is precisely why. A non-status companion of a DM will be upgraded ahead of an actual PM. This basically devalues every status level other than DM and says non-status companions are of higher priority than actual elites.

In addition there's the anomaly of a DM with a PM companion (or similar) wherein that PM will be prioritized after a non-status companion who will basically inherit DM upgrade status.

sydneyracquelle

If I use a CB to gift my spouse Silver or Gold status they will be penalized in the upgrade order compared to having no status. This is ludicrous!

ethernal

Hard disagree on this. I realize that things may be different in the post-COVID world, but companion upgrades on leisure flights are really one of the few actual benefits Deltas offers to elites. Last year, I flew about 100 legs for business. I was C+ on maybe half of those at best (primarily gate upgrades) and in F for about 2 of them. Other than guaranteed to get an overhead bin slot as a Diamond (not guaranteed if you're only boarding SKY) and better IRROPS there isn't much value for most flights. At least on leisure flights with a different demand profile there is a chance at an upgrade and/or take advantage of benefits.

Now, as far as why the heck Delta is punishing statused folks in this model I don't understand. It's unfortunate because my partner makes Gold or Silver each year with their level of business / leisure travel so it does seem odd. I assume it's some sort of funky system issue that they won't bother fixing.