About the only remaining one, unfortunately!



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Vasant

I don't see how this makes for any better chances for anyone than before.

I have followed this forum on basically a weekly basis over the last year, and until now I have never felt the need to voice my opinion, until now.

First, before I write the rest of my remarks, I will state that by no means do I think I am a large contributor to Delta's revenues. Many on this board seem to think they are golden eggs, and that's fine, but I know I am not one of them, yet. I do believe I am representative of the general biz/personal traveler. I've paid for a Crown Room membership, and intend to renew. I try to maintain Gold status every year since I first received it, BECAUSE of the benefits. I travel for both personal and business several times a month, and will continue to, economic conditions good or bad. I have never been surveyed by Delta, except for the concerns about the Crown Room. Given such, I am not sure Delta is even hearing their flyers' voices.

As a going on 3 year Gold flyer, I'm especially going to miss the NAMU, as they provided me a way to occasionally beat out Platinum flyers. As a regular business and personal flyer, I was happy to stay loyal to Delta given that I generally never had a problem getting an upgrade on my K and up level tickets. I'd even pay the difference on the business flights just to get an upgradeable ticket. Now with the switch from 800 MSU to 500MSU, you've gone from giving a reward of 6400 miles to your regular GOLD flyers to a measly 2000 miles, AND on top of that you've made them more expensive. Well, you can bet your bottom dollar I'm not going to pay for these upgrades, my loyalty should be good enough. Apparently our loyalty isn't enough to compensate for bad management of money in general within Delta.

Given the recent changes, I will begin to find alternate carriers to work with. If I'm going to sit in coach regularly, it's going to be with a carrier that offers more than Delta (read: most everyone). Delta, with one slight of hand you've just given JetBlue, and several others a larger customer base. Before yesterday, I hadn't even contemplated switching carriers, but these recent decisions prove to me the lack of loyalty on your part, and as such, I will show mine now.

I've always felt Delta was wrong in their decision to allow only certain class tickets to be upgraded by it's Medallion flyers, but I lived with it, paying the extra expense just to know I would probably get an upgrade for my personal flights. Well, you wised up to that at the exact perfect time for you to: when the days are gone when a ULT coach seat will likely ever get an upgrade. Don't expect me to congratulate your staff on finding an empty reward.

As a gold member, I've now been relegated to being a silver member with 100% miles bonus (which I couldn't really care less about) and a 3 day upgrade window (the only real advantage now). I guess 2003 will mean the begin of the end to my relationship with Delta.

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Gold Medallion, 2+ years

It looks like bruceb is the real deal.

[original msg deleted]


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I am not a sanctioned representative of Delta on these boards, just an interested participant. I'm only here trying to shed light on DL issues brought up on this board. I do work for Delta, but I don't represent DL's final word when answering a question. Please e-mail Customer Care with your questions. www.delta.com/email

[This message has been edited by UnofficialDLHelper (edited 12-13-2002).]

Bruceb,

The changes talk about a conversion for MM status based on the earned miles. Will they be giving credit to all existing members for all miles earned since mid 90's when only base miles started to count? Or is it just MM qualifying miles meaning since the change only base or special promo miles?

I would think to be fair they should count all as most with over 2 million got them the old way and most near or over 2 million also earned most by the old program not just base miles after the change in the mid 90's.

At least this would be a small benifit in the new program for those looking for life status and be simialr to AA.

Thanks,

To clarify, these responses are the official word from Delta and are being developed by some of the people who worked on the project in an effort to provide timely feedback to Flyertalkers. We�ll do our best to answer relevant questions quickly and accurately through December 18, 2002.

In answering some of these questions, we may provide comparisons between old, new and other airline programs and it is possible to make an unintentional mistake (e.g. you can miss a specific rule). In order to turn-around responses quickly we are not putting them through the normal checks � so if we unintentionally make a mistake, we would appreciate it if you point it out and give us an opportunity to correct it. Thanks for your understanding.

Platinum Medallion members will be able to upgrade from L, U and T fares from May 1, 2003 � plus they will continue to receive the highest priority in any upgrade queue, waitlist, etc

The same multiplier will apply to all Delta affiliated carriers. We have no information at this time on what the frequent flyer offering will be for the new low cost carrier.

No change to way it works today � each segment needs to be upgraded separately

For SkyMiles purposes there has been no change (except the increase in Business and BusinessElite class of service bonus to 50%). The existing minimum distance of 500 miles per segment remains unchanged in the way SkyMiles for Award Travel are calculated. The same minimum flown miles (500 miles per segment) also applies to Medallion Qualification Miles, but this is before the multiplier is applied so the effective �floor� will be as follows:
� First, Business and BusinessElite: 1000 Medallion Qualification Miles
� Coach (Y, B or M fares): 750 Medallion Qualification Miles
� Discounted Coach (H, Q or K fares): 500 Medallion Qualification Miles
� Deeply discounted Coach (L, U or T fares): 250 Medallion Qualification Miles

Using 500-Mile Upgrade points for companions will not start until Jan. 1, 2004. You can continue to use your other upgrade certificates and upgrade mileage awards for companions in the intervening period.

Other differences:
� Higher priority on waitlist, standbys, etc.
� Highest upgrade priority within each fare group � time of booking for Y, B and M is still a quite different from most of the US majors.
� Complimentary crown room access - plus our lounges continue to offer complimentary beverages. Delta is still unique among U.S. carriers in offering this benefit.
� Also the additional benefit levels for Platinum Medallion members at 125K and 150K � partner/companion Medallion status or carry-over Medallion Qualification Miles
� And as you mentioned the six Platinum Medallion Upgrades which are good for a one-way upgrade both on Domestic and International Delta flights

Yes. With the above travel pattern (upgradeable fares on both domestic and international flights) you will earn more Medallion Qualification Miles than the number of base miles you would have earned under the previous guidelines.

The one-time deposit of twenty 500-Mile Upgrade points is designed to give Platinum Medallion members an initial starting balance. It will be done only once on Jan 1, 2004 � it will not be repeated in subsequent years. The 40 will be good for up to 20,000 miles of upgrades. Then you add in the Platinum Medallion Upgrades � which are likely to be used on longer flights (trans continental and international) � so this could add even more miles of upgrades. If you want to upgrade more you have the option of purchasing additional 500-Mile Upgrade points or using mileage based upgrades. Also you continue to have the option to purchase Y fares that provide upgrades without the use of certificates/upgrade points and that are confirmed at the time of booking (Y-UP fares). Thus, it�s difficult to say what the exact number of miles Platinum members may be able to upgrade - it will depend on your individual travel patterns.

Yes. If you didn�t qualify for Platinum Medallion in 2002 under the existing qualification criteria, but would have under the new Medallion Qualification Miles guidelines, your status will be increased to Platinum Medallion in early 2003. The same applies to Gold and Silver Medallion status. This only impacts people moving up.

Good question on the fare classes � I think it should be on the receipt depending on how you upgraded. Short of this you can call the SMS line and they can tell you. On delta.com, the fare information is shown when viewing itineraries or purchasing tickets. In addition, Delta�s ticketing locations and agents and travel agents will be able to provide this information.

Current technology allows you to choose lowest available fare, upgradeable (K or higher), First, Business/BusinessElite or Y - we are working to allow a choice better aligned with the changes we have announced (First, BusinessElite, Coach, Discounted Coach and Deeply-discounted Coach).

Correct on earning and redeeming SkyMiles � all unchanged apart from the increase in the Business/BusinessElite cabin bonus (25% to 50%).


A customer in this situation will not be impacted by the program changes. Currently when a Platinum Medallion member drops to Gold Medallion status, they receive ten 800-MSUs in their account. On March 1, 2003 this will still be in place � so you will receive ten 800-MSUs. This situation and the credits we are talking about all apply under the current upgrade rules (i.e. this will happen for the last time on March 1, 2003).

These new Gold Medallion members will then be able to earn 800-MSUs at the current Gold Medallion rate of eight 800-MSUs per 10,000 flown miles between Mar 1 and May 1, 2003. On May 1, 2003 your 800-MSU balances will be converted to 500-Mile Upgrade points and the new earn rate for Gold Medallions will start (4 per 10,000 paid flown miles).


We are working on this � please watch for future updates regarding enhancements to the upgrade confirmation process.

I think as a Platinum Medallion member, I am losing benefits. I no longer get unlimited upgrades and they are lessened to 500 mile segments and I if I buy them they are more expensive per upgrade. I can't help but feel like you are trying to wring as much income as you can from your most loyal customers.

He/She seems to post with great authority on many sites. bruceb deleted a DL entry asking us not to post any weblink to the airline's mid-September SkyMiles survey as uninvited respondants would get no mileage credits. That was deleted December 5th.

So, is bruceb's Q&A thread reliable?

Here we go -
1. With the reduction to 500 miles from 800 miles and the fact that earning will be far less generous , will DL consider getting rid of expiration of EARNED MSU's ? ala AA
2.Will PM's get 6 PMU's every year ?
3. The fact that PM's will have "the same benefits as 2002 for 2003" and the fact that L,T,U are upgradeable later this year for GM and FO ARE NOT COMPATIBLE/LOGICAL ?????
4. What about automated or electronic upgrade processing ?
5.If DL keeps the gate fee space available upgrade sales, does DL realize it is much cheaper than purchasing more MSU's - again not compatible ????
6.Why can't PM's start earning an MSU bank in 2003 ? It's the least that can be done to give us a head start , considering our new earn rate will be the same as GM/FO and our unlimited upgrades will be gone - 20 on 1/1/04 is REALLY insULTing - Thanks

1. So therefore I should look forward to gifting GM to a friend/family member after January 1st?? If you guys are going to re-examine 2002 with the new criteria this would only be fair!!

2. How can one say that PM's used left than HALF their upgrades as there was NO fixed number??? I'd like about 125,000 miles for those which EXPIRED on me after I became PM!!

3. Why stick with the MISERLY 6 PMU's?? How about a nice bone, maybe 8, 10, or back to the old SWU system for us PM's??

Like UDH, I too am curious about bruceb's credentials. Odd that he just jumped in claiming to be a DL rep, which is totally contrary to DL practices of the past (barring employees from participating). Regardless, I'll throw a question out there and welcome a reply from bruceb or anyone with knowledge:

-I earned 2003 PM status from my 2002 flying. It seems that DL will honor the perks it promised me for 2003 (unlimited free domestic upgrades for K+ at time of booking). However, my perks were supposed to go through 2/04. Now I get two months of that benefit taken away.

Oh, gee, I guess that is more of a complaint/comment than a question. Well, maybe bruceb or others can verify that I am analyzing this correctly.

kazman -
My guess is that you're not going to get Bruce to answer your "will DL consider" and "does DL realize" questions. But he has answered your #2, 3 and 4 questions.

2 - Yes, "six Platinum Medallion Upgrades" is one of the ongoing PM benefits, [unless DL changes PM benefits in some future year].

3 - "Platinum Medallion members will be able to upgrade from L, U and T fares from May 1, 2003"

4 - Regarding automating the upgrade process, "We are working on this � please watch for future updates regarding enhancements to the upgrade confirmation process."

Whether or not bruceb speaks from authority or delusions of grandeur (if the latter, bruceb, I would recommend impersonating the spokesman of a more commendable organization, such as North Korea), Delta's position towards PMs is:

Get drunk on your own hooch so you don't feel the pain of buying a first-class ticket

or

Get drunk on our hooch at the CRC so you don't feel the pain of our coach product.

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...or passengers swim.

I'll turn that into a question, Bruce. Is that what's intended?

I busted my wallet to make extra trips to earn my first ever PM qualification for 2003, fully expecting that all benefits would run though February of the following year, as outlined in the Medallion Benefits Portfolio.

Yes, I recognize that the SkyMiles terms allow DL to make changes at any time. But did you really intend to yank away from us after we have earned it - a particular benefit (such as unlimited upgrades) promised or implied for your best customers through February 2004? If so, that doesn't say much (or perhaps it speaks volumes) about what your best customers should expect from DL in the future.

There are some markets where the K fare is refundable!

Now, let me get this straight... there were too many upgrades not being turned in, so DL did this so we wouldn't have all those wasted unusued upgrades? Like always, these changes were made because WE asked for them?