2010 Medallion Program
Jul 28, 2009 | 3:47 pm
#136
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL MM GM, Marriott G, Hilton G
Posts: 1,587
First, please take the DL NW debate elsewhere. While I appreciate both perspectives, it's debating the past. They're one airline now and there's no going back. Let's focus on the 2010 Program. 
I agree with the above from ClipperDelta. Delta as the number one airline is in a powerful position. They could have said "we're making our 3rd tier 100k" or "we're conducting segment upgrade coupons" like American and United. Instead, they put forward a program that kept everything pretty level and threw in some nice surprises. :-:
If started by rating the Delta / Northwest programs before merger each a 5 (their base level), then I would say the 2010 Program is now a 5.5 for Delta flyers and a 4.5 program for NW flyers. I really like the upgrades of award tickets. That's the biggest new perk, but we knew about that months. Some of the other stuff is cool (like PMUs being something else), but there are no big surprises. Having lived through a time where Delta kept taking away from its PMs, I like anything that keeps us even or better -- and this is a little bit better for DL flyers. I completely understand how NW flyers are still bummed.
I agree with the above from ClipperDelta. Delta as the number one airline is in a powerful position. They could have said "we're making our 3rd tier 100k" or "we're conducting segment upgrade coupons" like American and United. Instead, they put forward a program that kept everything pretty level and threw in some nice surprises. :-:
If started by rating the Delta / Northwest programs before merger each a 5 (their base level), then I would say the 2010 Program is now a 5.5 for Delta flyers and a 4.5 program for NW flyers. I really like the upgrades of award tickets. That's the biggest new perk, but we knew about that months. Some of the other stuff is cool (like PMUs being something else), but there are no big surprises. Having lived through a time where Delta kept taking away from its PMs, I like anything that keeps us even or better -- and this is a little bit better for DL flyers. I completely understand how NW flyers are still bummed.
Jul 28, 2009 | 3:48 pm
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still PAL Premier Elite & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 25,429
Their service to two continents is tenuous at best. They're scaling back in Australia & way back in Africa.
In the end as the economy recovers, my bet is that DL/NW will not be the sum of DL + NW but only marginally larger than DL + what's left of NW's NRT operations.
Jul 28, 2009 | 3:52 pm
#138
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: DL; AA; UA; LHLX; AFKL; SK; BA; SQ; CX
Posts: 7,788
Indeed...the way people have been going on about the NW SWUs, one would think that all Plats got them...All WorldPerks Plats between 75K and 120K EQMs a year (which are quite a few) never ever got a single SWU. In fact, the only way for these folks to get an upgrade internationally (not including the whole "Phantom Upgrade" thing or op-ups) was to use miles which were restricted to Y or B fares (again, the highest two classes of NW Economy fares)......selective amnesia at its best....
Jul 28, 2009 | 3:53 pm
#139
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,367
Let's trot out the ONE plane that NW had that was above average and pretend that represents the NW fleet! This is exactly the sort of misinformation and selective memory from the former NW crowd that has reared its head here. First we pretend that NW Plats got SWUs when only those that hit 120k got them. Now we are pretending that the A330 represents the totality of the NW fleet, as opposed to the 753s or the DC9.
And, FWIW, even the DL 763s were impeccably clean and well-maintained. I would love AVOD, but have no complaints about maintenance or cleanliness. The same cannot be said for NW planes of similar age.
And, while we are praising the NW fleet, what is with the "rain" on the A330 exit rows? Seriously, I love these seats - best TATL Y seats available - but NW can't figure out a way to keep me from being dripped on by condensation?
And, FWIW, even the DL 763s were impeccably clean and well-maintained. I would love AVOD, but have no complaints about maintenance or cleanliness. The same cannot be said for NW planes of similar age.
And, while we are praising the NW fleet, what is with the "rain" on the A330 exit rows? Seriously, I love these seats - best TATL Y seats available - but NW can't figure out a way to keep me from being dripped on by condensation?
Funny everyone loves the A330 but boy do I like exit row and bulkhead on their B747 upstairs. I think rows 73 and 77. I also like the upstairs of B747 on KLM from ORD.
As for me I'd rather have a better FF program than a better plane. I surely would rather fly a mainline plane the a jungle jet.
Last edited by thepla; Jul 28, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:05 pm
#140
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
I only like the A330 in coach. Up front, it is incredibly pedestrian. WBC was/is decidedly ho-hum. Would I choose it over CO's BF? Yes. Do I prefer the A330 over a DL 763? Sure. Beyond that? It ain't exactly a world-beater. All of my paid J used to go to BA, where I got a flat bed and far superior lounges. Cut-backs at my company have crimped my paid J spending, but I certainly am not going to be chomping at the bit to spend my hard-earned cash to sit in WBC. But we are now getting waaaaay off-topic.
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:13 pm
#141
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
As for the others, right now CO does permit upgrades on KL which gets a few more cities in the mix and no one really knows what will happen with upgrades in *A.
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:23 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
Programs: AS: 75K; DL/NW: Plat; DL SC: Lifetime; Hyatt: Diamond; HH: Gold; SPG: Plat;
Posts: 3,401
2010 Diamond - Missed Opportunity
Let me voice my opinion as another Platinum who feels this new level is very underwhelming.
I will end the year at about 105K and had every intention to stretch to the 125K, until I read the lackluster benefits.
As others stated, if DL had allowed TRUE SWUs as their competition does, that would have made this level more interesting, and perhaps closer to 'best in class.' I'm not sure how Jeff can keep a straight face when he says DL is 'Best in Class' when it offers SWUs at Y/B/M fares only.
Additionally, what's the benefit for us NW WC Lifetime members?
Oh, and thanks for lying to us by telling us that free award redeposits are being taken away from us plats due to 'misuse by plats' only to bring it back as a Diamond benefit.
I've lost the little faith I had left in this company, how unfortunate...
RIP, NWA, you are missed...
I will end the year at about 105K and had every intention to stretch to the 125K, until I read the lackluster benefits.
As others stated, if DL had allowed TRUE SWUs as their competition does, that would have made this level more interesting, and perhaps closer to 'best in class.' I'm not sure how Jeff can keep a straight face when he says DL is 'Best in Class' when it offers SWUs at Y/B/M fares only.
Additionally, what's the benefit for us NW WC Lifetime members?
Oh, and thanks for lying to us by telling us that free award redeposits are being taken away from us plats due to 'misuse by plats' only to bring it back as a Diamond benefit.
I've lost the little faith I had left in this company, how unfortunate...
RIP, NWA, you are missed...
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:26 pm
#144
Suspended
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Location: SEA
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Well, CO partisans may not really "know" (I'm amazed at the CO FFers holding out hope for elite bonuses on *A metal), but they will have nobody but themselves to blame when they get the details. I would assume that the upgrade chart will look largely like this:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/cdauti...dia_682812.pdf
I applaud the *A efforts to come up with alliance-wide benefits, but let us be honest about the fact that those efforts have largely led to restrictive earning and redemption rules. There is no reason to believe that CO - the most restrictive US ST program - will suddenly set the bar in *A.
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:27 pm
#145
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: VPS
Programs: DL DM/2MM, Etihad Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 4,787
According to what I see DM would have same upgrade priority as EP. So why not axe EP and just maintain DM? Same thing pretty much right?A myth is a unicorn or Pegasus...things no one has ever seen. The condition of NW's fleet and attitude of their workforce is no myth.
+1! I'm even willing to sacrifice frequencies for mainline jets.
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:46 pm
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
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Indeed...the way people have been going on about the NW SWUs, one would think that all Plats got them...All WorldPerks Plats between 75K and 120K EQMs a year (which are quite a few) never ever got a single SWU. In fact, the only way for these folks to get an upgrade internationally (not including the whole "Phantom Upgrade" thing or op-ups) was to use miles which were restricted to Y or B fares (again, the highest two classes of NW Economy fares)......selective amnesia at its best....
What DL now offers is less than what NW Plats had at any of those levels (except for the TP otherwise knows as PMUs).
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:53 pm
#147
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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Posts: 12,935
(btw, considering how most companies are scaling back everything in this economy, even if they only held close to par that is nothing to sneeze at, and if we do have to sneeze, at least DL gives us TP)
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:54 pm
#148
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,367
I only like the A330 in coach. Up front, it is incredibly pedestrian. WBC was/is decidedly ho-hum. Would I choose it over CO's BF? Yes. Do I prefer the A330 over a DL 763? Sure. Beyond that? It ain't exactly a world-beater. All of my paid J used to go to BA, where I got a flat bed and far superior lounges. Cut-backs at my company have crimped my paid J spending, but I certainly am not going to be chomping at the bit to spend my hard-earned cash to sit in WBC. But we are now getting waaaaay off-topic.
Jul 28, 2009 | 4:59 pm
#149
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: DL; AA; UA; LHLX; AFKL; SK; BA; SQ; CX
Posts: 7,788
Nobody's pretending any such thing. The 90K/120K/160K/etc. rewards were an extension of the Plat program called Elite Extra Perks (with some token bones thrown out @ 60K for Golds, too).
What DL now offers is less than what NW Plats had at any of those levels (except for the TP otherwise knows as PMUs).
What DL now offers is less than what NW Plats had at any of those levels (except for the TP otherwise knows as PMUs).
Jul 28, 2009 | 5:00 pm
#150
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Sorry for the dumb question
As a soon to be 1st time platinum member I will be receiving these SWU's if I choose. Aren't unlimited upgrades given out complimentary anyway within a 5 day window? Under what circumstances would I use one of these certificates rather than just get a regular upgrade?
Thanks.
Frank Serrino
Thanks.
Frank Serrino