More dilution of benefits to Platinum Medallions
Sep 19, 2009, 2:09 pm
#31
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Sep 19, 2009, 2:15 pm
#32
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Yes, we could say the same about the worst-in-class performance of DL.COM...and instead of making honest efforts to address its severe shortcomings, instead DL makes it more difficult to use their phone service to work around it! 
Sep 19, 2009, 2:36 pm
#33
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Sep 19, 2009, 2:45 pm
#35
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I am not being fecious at all: Well done.
If more people just let posters say their piece these threads would not spin out of control. Contrary to popular belief; it is NOT the fact that people air their grievances here (and at Festivus) but the constant commentary on the validity of their issues that turn these threads hostile.
If more people just let posters say their piece these threads would not spin out of control. Contrary to popular belief; it is NOT the fact that people air their grievances here (and at Festivus) but the constant commentary on the validity of their issues that turn these threads hostile.
Sep 19, 2009, 3:25 pm
#36
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Sep 19, 2009, 3:46 pm
#37
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No, they are not. On the other hand, unless you have a cross-country trip it really doesn't matter if you are upgraded or not. Given my choice between getting SWUs to use on short hops (like ATL-JFK) or 20,000 SkyMiles I will take the SkyMiles every time.
On the other hand, where I would be very happy to use the SMUs, like on TLV-ATL flights, I would have to buy at least an M fare, and the prices for those are, indeed, outrageous.
On the other hand, where I would be very happy to use the SMUs, like on TLV-ATL flights, I would have to buy at least an M fare, and the prices for those are, indeed, outrageous.
Sep 19, 2009, 3:49 pm
#38
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Call me stupid, but I'm not sure quite exactly how SWU's and PMU's work. Doesn't DL have complimentary upgrades anyway? Their site says that all elites are upgraded from their classes of service in a complimentary manner.
Sep 19, 2009, 3:53 pm
#39
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2. You are never guaranteed a complimentary upgrade. Whether you get one or not depends on how many F seats are available and how many people are ahead of you on the list (because of their status and the type of fare they hav bought). An SWU would put you ahead of someone who has a higher priority for a complimentary upgrade.
Sep 19, 2009, 7:54 pm
#40
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Should I go for the PMU / new SWU? or the miles?
If I can get upgraded anyway for being PM, is this worth it?
I can only see Int travel as being useful and even then these are not transferable like the AA VIPs which are valid or any fare or the UA SWUs, which make them more valuable.
edited
Sorry I missed the previous 2 posts- most of my questions were answered.
The PMU is useful then when you think you would NOT get upgraded on the domestic long-hauls. So if I am right, book K fares at least and use the SWU. So the equation is perhaps if you are a PM get the SWUs and if you are a DM, do not, as your chances are the highest for a free upgrade.
If I have SWUs I understand that I can't give them to my friends / family unless they accompany me.
Last edited by ffI; Sep 19, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Sep 19, 2009, 11:11 pm
#41
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Sep 20, 2009, 10:27 pm
#42
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PMUs are a bad bonus!!! They make no sense as they are. Can we move the discussions to why they are so bad? I'll vote to give two reasons:
- M fares have risen (and DL keeps doing it, as recently as 2 weeks ago when they found what Jeff must have grumbled as being a cheapo M fare) to astronomical numbers.
- They are not transferable
Sep 20, 2009, 10:36 pm
#43
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Sep 20, 2009, 10:41 pm
#44
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Huh???? Jeff... Robertson... that is, has said that 80% of PMs do not use their PMUs!
Since many of you asked about the systemwide upgrade certificates at the road warrior event, I thought I would share a few more specifics around these. Up through the end of this year, all Platinum Medallions will continue to receive six Platinum Medallion upgrades just as they do today – no changes.
(In fact, even if I were to get the SWUs on the day that I make Plat, I still would have no more US flights left in the year.)
I imagine that there are quite a few people, like myself, who manage to reach Plat only on their last flight of the year. Together with the high M fare rates, that could help explain why they are not used.
(Unless I am wrong and they will be good for all of 2010. Can someone tell me?)
Sep 20, 2009, 10:48 pm
#45
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Hmmm...on Nov 4, I will go over 75,000 MQMs. I will be upgraded to Platinum on Nov 7. It will take a minimum of three weeks until my Plat credentials, and SWUs arrive (my Gold, which I earned on Aug 27, still has not gotten here). That brings me into December and I will not be flying to the States that month.
(In fact, even if I were to get the SWUs on the day that I make Plat, I still would have no more US flights left in the year.)
I imagine that there are quite a few people, like myself, who manage to reach Plat only on their last flight of the year. Together with the high M fare rates, that could help explain why they are not used.
(Unless I am wrong and they will be good for all of 2010. Can someone tell me?)
(In fact, even if I were to get the SWUs on the day that I make Plat, I still would have no more US flights left in the year.)
I imagine that there are quite a few people, like myself, who manage to reach Plat only on their last flight of the year. Together with the high M fare rates, that could help explain why they are not used.
(Unless I am wrong and they will be good for all of 2010. Can someone tell me?)
Primarily due to the customer-unfriendly fare restrictions on them, DL's systemwide upgrades mostly expire worthless. Other reasons they go unused are a distant cause compared to the fare restrictions.
Last edited by GUWonder; Sep 20, 2009 at 10:57 pm