I've seen Z open close to day of departure but at least through a few months ago the M fare was then very high for international flights.

Actually there is.

Ambassador level at Intercontinental Hotels can be purchased for something like $150 or $300 (I forget) per year. Benefits include a guaranteed room upgrade.

US Air Chairman's

SkyMilesInsider RIP?
 

Four posts -- last seen on August 7. Is this someone Delta hauls out to post company releases and never allows to respond to questions and comments?

Does anyone know what DL means by "discounted fare classes"? Is that sLUT only? Is K considered a discounted fare?

What does "5 days with priority" mean for upgrade clearance?
Diamond Medallion members booked in discounted fare classes will clear for upgrades 5 days out and will always clear before Platinum Medallion members booked in discounted fare classes.

Anything but "Y" fares. DL continues to offer immediate upgrades on "Y" fares for any elite (provided there is V/X availability on the flight). If there is not then "Y" fares go to the battlefield upgrade process and have priority over all other elites on any other fare class including B, M, H, Q, K, L, U T. With "Y" fares the second factor for upgrade is time of request rather than status. So a Silver on a "Y" fare who requests their upgrade before a Plat on a "Y" fare will receive the upgrade first.

-RM

Hertz, the largest car rental company, allows you to purchase up to any of their elite levels. Just a few days ago, while reserving a car online, they offered me a list and prices for every level.

Thanks.

SkyMilesInsider RIP?
 

It appears that way. The pattern is so much like Jeff that I wonder if it isn't also him.

SkyMilesInsider is not Jeff.

That would be $150 sir :)

Or maybe both of them figure it is just not worth the time or headache anymore.

Below is what SkyMilesInsider previously said on this issue. It suggests that the same day use of PMUs is for Z-class only and not G-class. Hence, you are probably correct, and DL intends to implement dod PMUs only for international BE destinations.

If DL is going to continue set M fares at a few hundred dollars below BE fares, then if they were serious about making the PMUs valuable, they would allow their use at booking for any available seat. Trying to play the "If you pay $2,500 for the same seat you could have gotten for $700, MAYBE we'll upgrade you when you get to the airport, or maybe not" game with the elites is just plain ridiculous. I can see the need for capacity restrictions if PMUs were valid for any fare, but they're not. Everybody gets 4-6 of them, and they can only be used on exorbitant coach fare classes, so the capacity controls don't seem to serve much purpose other than pissing off elites.

That would make sense. Still, the DL benefit FAQ says, "In addition to the existing ability for customers to request an upgrade in advance, the new Systemwide Upgrade Certificates will be valid for use on the day of departure. This means if a First or Business Class seat is available on your Delta flight on the day of departure you will be able to request the upgrade." Why would it say First if DL is only intending to be offering Business on its international flights? or is that perhaps just a way of including "premium" service transcons?