No one has answered my question from earlier...

To make DL's FF program more on par with others, what current benefits are you willing to lose?

Breezway
Medallion Security Line in Atlanta
Coke
Dasani water
Atlanta Delays
India web support
Having to write and Call DL to get NW miles to post
Companion Upgrades
Domestic AVOD (old song planes)
DC9-30's
Free so called head sets in F
Free unlimited drinks in the club

others: please add

Why would DL want these upgrades processed into any other inventory than Z?
What is there to stop DL from auto-releasing Z inventory on day of departure and/or as flight time approaches so as to let customer-facing DL (or contract) employees book customers into Z inventory?

Unlike the other legacy carriers that don't listen to money? Do they really put their elite's feelings before profitability? Gee and all this time I thought DL was a business with share holders expecting financial results.

Well, however they do it, I'm not sure why you seem to imply it's a bad thing.

I was only responding to a comment that if there's no Z inventory, they might not upgrade people even if there are seats. From my read on the new policy, that won't be the case.

Whether they rebook you in Z or just reassign your seat - doesn't really matter to me, as long as they allow day-of-departure BE upgrades.

Did I say that the other major carriers don't listen to money? No; and so who know what the rest of your above comment has to do with what I posted.

DL has its own twisted ways of doing things, but the way DL management got to the 2010 SkyMiles program results is more twisted and customer-unfriendly than what AA, CO, and UA have done to their own FFP customers, elite and otherwise.

Apparently DL's ways of "listening" haven't helped DL management avoid the need for bankruptcy or the need to get other major government allowances to try to gain what it couldn't without government allowances.

Just twisting your words like you did mine.

Out of curiosity, you are obviously well travelled and for some time. What airlines do you currently utilize?

????

As top tier on all three major alliances, I would say you are waaaay off base.

Each FF program has it's plusses and minuses. There are trade-offs to be made WRT what FF benefits to grant to what level of FFers. DL's benefits are not worse than the other majors (or minors). They are not necessarily better either. They are just different. Better or worse will depend on exactly the value the individual places on each benefit.

If the benefits DL is providing for FFers do not bring value to you as a flyer, then I would suggest that you find a carrier that better fits your needs.

I'm generally pleased with the changes, and I spend money out of my own pocket for upgradable M fares. Maybe DL's objective is to get more customers like me, and let some others customers that are unpleasable and less profitable go to the competition.

It's good that you are not sure, because I certainly didn't imply that which you are not sure about.

Here's what I asked:

I am top tier on all three major alliances too -- multiple times over in 2 or 3 * of the three alliances (*3, if you still consider NW and DL as two) -- but you are entitled to your own opinion even if you cannot demonstrate how my post is way off.

Not all trade-offs are equal and some are worse for more customers than others.

If DL management thought they were at least as good or better than the other majors, then why did they decide to change things so much over the past 18 months and into next year too?

The first part is obvious.

Maybe, but that's been DL's objective for quite some time and it didn't spare DL from bankruptcy or desperately needing other major government allowances. Then again hunters dependent upon a highly endangered species for survival have often killed off their own viability prospects in the absence of adapting by going after more plentiful sources.

I posted this in response to a question about the current system. Sounds like you're talking about the new rules for the 2010 program.

I know I'm going to regret this as a total waste of time, but here goes ...

Seriously, when were you in ATL stopping DL customers and asking them for their opinions on the 2010 Medallion program? I am so sorry I missed you. In fact, I would have enjoyed listening in on your unscientific conversations with all these scores of customers you've clearly spoken to. What about MSP? Did you hit DTW, too?

Oh, oh ... You didn't actually talk to any customers? Well, you must have reached the above conclusions based on your careful reading of this thread and others in the DL forum! That must be it, right??

Been thinking, dude. Can't think of another way to "factually demonstrate" your statements above. Please, enlighten me.

Nope. But, maybe it's just me.

Love it! Charlatan is the new sheeple, eh? Well, at least it's a word that actually exists. Now that's a program enhancement! ^

+1.

And, since you choose not to disclose it in your profile, I'll take it a step further. What's your elite status on DL? Other airlines? How many BIS miles have you flown this year so far? How many segments?

No, you're right, you don't have to tell us. I think your post count tells us all we need to know.

But, again, maybe it's just me.

That is a question i'm asking myself as soon as i saw the new rules. From the wording it sounds as if DL will upgrade you if:
- there are empty BE seats left 1 hour to departure
- you're on a Y/B/M fare
- you are willing to fork over an PMU/SWU
I "assume" that no "Z" inventory has to be available to upgrade you on DoD. But if indeed no upgrades will cleared without any available "Z" inventory as it is the case now then it's nothing but the old gamble with slightly changed rules. Have sent an email to DL to clarify this, so far no response.

Since it's a waste of time, no responses needed for all that.

No, you certainly did not get that correct. Sheeple is a reference to a segment of DL customers; charlatan is a reference to DL management involved in these SkyMiles games that fleece customers.

I am a Platinum on DL until at least the end of February 2010, as has been disclosed on here many times over.

I agree with your assumption. My take is that "Z" will still be used for advance upgrades, but DoD gate upgrades won't be "Z" dependent.

In the words of Austin Powers (and others):

"Throw us a bone here!"