Delta Diamond vs United Premier 1K after GUC devaluation
Nov 18, 2021, 7:03 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
Yes, people have often been told they can't use GUCs for flights after the expiration date, even if availability is there to confirm at booking. Only some agents are willing to 'bend the rules' and reissue the ticket for a flight past the deadline. When it's been done for me, I've been told it's an exception.
Nov 18, 2021, 7:29 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
You have indeed been unlucky but it still amazes me that people don't give credit where credit is due for Delta's operational superiority....it is almost like they don't think 85% on time vs. 70% on time in a real thing. And Delta has kind of had a bad time of it lately by their standards.
Nov 19, 2021, 12:12 am
#48
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
Has your position changed? UA is definitely weak in SEA, but I love UA's international network way more than DL. It seems like DL's pre-COVID strategy was to rely more on its JV partners. That doesn't do me much good if I want to utilize my DL status. Obviously, the GUC devaluation only made things worse.
I still think I'm unlikely to make a play for UA status - the grass isn't much greener at United, I'm just saying I think the grass is pretty brown industry-wide now and I'm better served by becoming an opportunist who plays the field for the next few years.
Nov 19, 2021, 1:14 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
FWIW, in Seattle, almost all international flights are Delta metal - so I was feeling pretty well taken care of up until they gutted GUCs. Particularly because GUCs could be used on partner flights for AF/KL. (Asia was getting frustrating, though, with the lack of usability on KE and the loss of the NRT transit hub.)
I still think I'm unlikely to make a play for UA status - the grass isn't much greener at United, I'm just saying I think the grass is pretty brown industry-wide now and I'm better served by becoming an opportunist who plays the field for the next few years.
I still think I'm unlikely to make a play for UA status - the grass isn't much greener at United, I'm just saying I think the grass is pretty brown industry-wide now and I'm better served by becoming an opportunist who plays the field for the next few years.
Nov 19, 2021, 8:21 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3,097
UA uses actual butt-in-seat miles only for lifetime status calculations, don't they? DL includes any MQM (e.g. class of service bonuses, Amex MQM boosts, acellerator bonuses all count). Most DL "million milers" haven't actually flown 1,000,000 miles.
Nov 19, 2021, 8:23 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3,097
Yes, people have often been told they can't use GUCs for flights after the expiration date, even if availability is there to confirm at booking. Only some agents are willing to 'bend the rules' and reissue the ticket for a flight past the deadline. When it's been done for me, I've been told it's an exception.