MM Status to matter in 2001 and LAX Developments
 

I was in the LAX CRC this morning and heard some great news/rumors and hope they pan out. Anyone have more definitive answers. The first, to me, is the most important.

1. MM status will count in waitlists, upgrades, standby's etc. along with status, etc. in 2001. Previously, it did not, or so the CRC gang says.

2. Non-Stop Service is supposed to begin again between LAX-FRA. I sure hope so. I miss the service terribly.

3. LAX will get showers in the renovated CRC (this is confirmed, and I also posted it in the LA Crown Room Thread).

4. DL 777 service will be coming to LAX on the new Asian routes. I sure hope so.

If all this comes true, it would be great news. I never understood why MM status wouldn't be factored into things, perhaps as a tie-breaker if all else failed.

I'm skeptical about the LAX-FRA route, although I think Delta is firing back up the Frankfurt-Delhi route and perhaps the feed is needed for it. It would seem to me that LAX-CDG would be more likely. I would hope that we get some ATL-LAX 777 flights once the 777 is introduced into LAX.

I'd love to see it all happen. The MM thing makes perfect sense to me. As for LAX-FRA that would be fabulous too--nice to be able to get to Europe in BE without stopping. I've never taken AFs LAX-CDG service, so I don't know what their loads are like and why/why not DL would intro their own LAX-CDG. I do know that LAX-FRA was once an important route and they still keep it as "direct" service on DL 106. That said, I heard a rumor two years ago that we were getting LAX-LGW so who knows.

Even if they don't pan out, nice to have a favorable DL rumor for a change!

Would seem to me this goes against the plan DL is implementing in the 2001 FF changes. Why give MM anything, a good portion are not PMs. DL seems to be only taking care of their best now, not their best in the past.

It would be nice, but I sort of doubt it will happen. I would like to be proven wrong. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Since DL "rasied the bar" on MM qualification from pgm miles to actual flight miles it should count for something.

I was dumbfounded when DL sent me my MM kit last year. It consisted of 5-10 sheets of MM writing paper, a luggage tag, and a trinket of your choosing.

The least they do is supply a coupon book consisting of a few upgrade and a few drink coupons. Maybe even a couple of CRC passes.

The MM program is virtually meaningless. (all fluff and no substance)

Delta has done away with the trinket of your choosing for new MMs. They now send a leather TUMI folder embossed with the new MM logo and also stamped Delta SkyMiles. So much for using the folder out in public.

At United, Million Mile Flyers only get 3 sheets of paper with their congrats kits. But each one of these sheets of paper is a Worldwide Systemwide Upgrade Certificate on any published fare!

But then again they only get Lifetime Premier Executive status with it's 100% bonus miles and all related priviledges (72 hour upgrades, Star Allicance Gold worldwide lounge access, etc.)

I'm sure Delta Million Milers get at least that lifetime status level, right? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Not to mention we get to fly the world's greatest airline, which offers award opportunities in true First Class on International flights, including United's First Suite!

Don't be jealous. Stick with Delta. I'm sure things will improve there soon. Like they have in the past (L fares, elimination of Systemwides, etc,etc.) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Nice program. The only problem is that you have to fly on UA!! They're barely one notch better than HP!!

Hey PremEx, didn't your mother ever tell you that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Then again, if we all followed edict on the DL forum these days, we wouldn't be saying a whole lot.

And, PremEx, you forgot to mention the Summer From Hell bonus miles that the world's greatist airline had to give out after the world's worst summer. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Who says you get to fly on UA??? I guess you do eventually but if you're elite, you get sent off to non-cancelled airlines' flights. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Time..... is on my side.

Well, the above info is good news indeed. Now, Delta, take heed of the above about UA. Parity??

Hey PremEx --

As a United 1k flyer, where's my free RCC lounge access? Delta's Platinums get that.

As a United 1K flyer, where's my domestic upgrade at time of booking (no 100-hour rule)? Delta's Platinums get that.

As a United 1K flyer, where's my unlimited number of upgrade certs? Delta's Platinums get that.

As a United flyer in general, why can't I upgrade immediately at time of booking on any of our alliance partners (LH included -- usually a 3-day wait)? Delta's flyers can do that.

PremEx, while I generally value your opinions over on the UA board, be careful before you bash someone else's program.

I didn't take PremEx's sentiments maliciously. I took them as a tease. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeffreyt:
[B]I was in the LAX CRC this morning and heard some great news/rumors and hope they pan out. Anyone have more definitive answers. The first, to me, is the most important.

1. MM status will count in waitlists, upgrades, standby's etc. along with status, etc. in 2001. Previously, it did not, or so the CRC gang says.

If this is true (--and Million Mile status should really mean something--) WHAT WILL DELTA TAKE AWAY FROM PLATINUM AND GOLD MEDALLION MEMBERSHIP?? Maybe they will only be able to upgrade a full "Y" fare on the Tuesday after the full moon with a 90 day advanced ticket purchase.

Everything that Delta has ever given us has been met with more that they have taken away from us.

Seriously,Preferred status for Million Milers should have always been offered...I have 3 million miles and still saw 2 empty first class seats on a flight last week when I had a "U" fare. My real question is this: Delta has been looking at future revenue not past...so what more can MM get for us than PM should already be doing? And, at what cost?

Those of you who are flying today, that are not old farts like me, should have something to look forward to (in the way of perks) from any airline you support with your dollars. Delta's recent history does not give any of us a chance!

Thank You Scribbler, but it was not meant as just a tease. It was designed to help Delta Frequent Flyers (of which I am one...Silver but have been a Gold for many, many years) by perhaps pointing out to any Delta Company lurkers that as RRWhite said, perhaps there should be more "parity."

But just for the record, I as a United 1K have been successful at upgrading 100% of my domestic flights (over 260 of them in the past 2 years), with no mileage deductions, confirmed at time of reservation if they were available at that time, on any fare! I have never had to wait for the 100 hour mark. All this with plenty of bearer certs left over to gift to friends and family. FYI United has a "published" program for it's 1Ks (for "façade" competitive reasons), as well as many "unpublished" benefits for it's most loyal flyers that are the true "reality" of the program. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

And Lootsy, just for the record I do sizeable amounts of flying not just on Delta and United, but on Continental and American as well. While I don't spend as much time on Delta as United is my primary carrier, I have every right to "bash" Delta...my airline...or to hand out www.saveskymiles.com cards in order to help improve the program. Thank You.

While I may not choose to fly Delta much, I do have to fly Delta on many occasions. And I still don't want to see my Delta Million Mile benefits be much less than United's when I evenutally hit the Delta MM mark in a couple of years.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 11-08-2000).]