I have to say the staff at Delta SkyMiles and overall employees at Delta seem to have their act together.

I am top with TWA (was) and AA and recently decided to try some other airlines. Main reason is routes. Let's not kid ourselves, the reason most of us try for top levels is to get upgraded along with other benefits.

I sent a letter to Delta, NW, and United to see if they could comp me a upgrade equal to or close to my AA Exec Plat. No response from United.

I have Elite on NW and really have not flown them much. I did like NW and thought this was the one I would chose as my next airline for all my west coast and asia travel. I sent out the letter and couldn't believe it when I called back and found that they not only dis-approved it, but downgraded me. That sucked. I could have lived with the dis-approval, not happy but could somewhat understand it. The downgrade is nothing more than some pin head trying to project there power.

Delta came through with flying colors and will reap the rewards. I just booked over 4,000 dollars worth of travel in the next 3 weeks. Next year I will spend about 50,000 just for me.

Delta came through and they have been very respectful about this. NW can basically kiss my a??. Their staff in FF program doesn't have a clue. What a bunch of morons....

Delta keep up the good work.

Good luck trying to get domestic upgrades on DL, nothing automatic like NW (or TWA), and if you're on a LUser fare forget about it.

I see. What level of elite did you manage to hold by not flying NW much? I would have to guess you were "downgraded" because you did not fly whatever miles were needed for that status? Or are you saying they decided to stick it to you by denying a given elite level you were otherwise entitled to?

NW is not, from most posts here, especially generous with comps. For those that have achieved elite status by flying (a lot in some cases), that actually doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

Attitude and language like that belong on DL.

We're quite happy with your choice and wish you well sitting in coach squalor on DL while we enjoy NW's (and CO's) more liberal domestic upgrade policy.

Someone who spends $50,000 per year on airfare is unlikely to travel on a LUser fare. Delta is a great program for high-yield travelers.

For flyers who travel on all but the deepest discounted economy tickets, Delta's Platinum Medallion upgrade policy is more generous than Northwest/Continental.

Furthermore, I believe Northwest's coach product is more deserving of the "squalor" label than Delta's coach cabin.

As a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion member, you receive:

- Complimentary Crown Room Membership
- Access to international lounges even when traveling in economy class
- Unlimited complimentary upgrades on Y, B, M, Q, H, or K fares that may be requested and confirmed at time of ticketing (50 United States, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico)
- If upgrade isn't confirmed at time of ticketing, you will be waitlisted
-Members who reach 40,000 base miles in the calendar year will earn two one-way North American Medallion Upgrade Certificates. Medallion members will receive two more one-way North American Medallion Upgrade Certificates for each additional 20,000 base miles flown within the same calendar year. These certs may also be used to upgrade a companion.
- Additionally, members receive six new complimentary worldwide Platinum Medallion Upgrade Certificates for use on most Delta flights in Y, B, or M

That seems quite generous for a SkyMiles Platinum Medallion.
Just curious if you know whether or not any of these benefits are also available for a mid-level Medallion (gold?)

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/member...vels/index.jsp

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/medall...fits/index.jsp

Also, please checkout a "Delta Flyers' Guide For FlyerTalkers on the Delta Forum." It is THE best Delta FAQ resource and can be found at:

http://www.fopaws.com/FT/Delta.html

From the link above, benefits for Silvers on DL:

Not very good.

How many, and how/when can they be used?

Same as above.

Woohoo!

Now that I can get excited about.

Gold only adds a 100% mileage bonus instead of 25%.

So, while for Plats it is quite a generous program it seems, for Silvers and Golds I don't see much to get very excited about here.

Am I missing something?

If you are planning to spend that much money on DL, you should look into their new corporate incentive program. You can earn miles in your personal Skymiles account and your company can earn points in the Sky Bonus incentive program at the same time. Or if you are self-employed, you could get both rewards.

http://www.delta-skybonus.com

Can you please explain why NW would "downgrade" your elite status from what it already was? What level were you, and what did they downgrade you to?

I have never encountered anything but extremely friendly, professional personnel at WorldPerks.

Good Question? Why would they downgrade me?????

Again, must be a nucklehead looking to express power. I just don't understand why someone from another Airline program with a proven record of spend mega bucks on travel, decides to take interest in your program and you slam the door in their face. To h?ll with them.

Yes!!! and I sent a letter to The Bellagio in Vegas asking for Full RFB + first class ticket comp! Never gamble there but I told them I would be bringing 1 Million Dollars!
lmfao

[This message has been edited by liketofly (edited 12-06-2001).]

I still don't really understand what happened here. What elite status did you have, and how had you earned/received it? Did you have a Silver trial membership? Something else? Were you supposed to fly X miles?

Though I suppose it's possible that someone might decide to downgrade you out of spite, I find it hard to believe and you haven't said enough for me to really follow your argument.

But since you think the NW program stinks, I'm guessing you'll be fine on DL. I just hope you earn at least Gold and are not stuck with a 25% silver elite bonus.

fwiw, CO seems very generous with comps and provides essentially the same benefits as NW, along with a few enhancements.