I agree with a previous poster who alluded to COInsider regarding the System Wide Upgrades. And this is where NW got it right a few years ago when it rolled out Elite Extra Perks and true System Wide Upgrades. It was a reward, plain and simple. It wasn't a "well we're gonna give you a reward for your loyalty but we really can't afford to let you truly use it unless we make money on it." And, like COInsider mentioned, NW's SWU's did not a sour taste in your mouth. Delta has done nothing but foster ill will to Northwest fliers two years straight now with worthless SWU's (20% useage to me is worthless).

Delta clearly places more value and protection of the bottom line on its Business Elite versus SkyClub. That's why Delta will give away a membership before it gives up a seat on Business Elite. I can see their reasoning - what's $300 a year versus $2000 on a seat.

The thing that's irked me the most since the merger, and getting to know lots of Delta people, is how often the employees say they fly internationally in Business Elite. Hey...I'm all for great employee perks and I was embarrased that NW made it's workers ride in coach even if a plane was leaving the gate with a open F seat.

But when I fly 150k and can't upgrade on an international flight, even just once a year, and employees have better chances - I have a problem with that. And simply allowing airport upgrades on the same stingy rules really won't alleviate the poor show of Diamond's riding in the back and employees kicking it back up front.

I'm actually pleasantly surprised. It appears that all fares including the sLUT's and KVQ's or whatever they are on NW metal will still get unlimited EUAs which had been a big fear. I really like the rollover EQMs.

I think the programme is strong and these enhancements positive for a cross section of the programme, specifically those at Silver/Gold status, and those who travel primarily within North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Because I live in Canada, I do not get the many extra elite miles earned by the various Delta credit card promos, so ALL my earned miles are 'bum in seat'. Therefore I can hit Gold comfortably but Plat is a stretch. Because of this, for me personally, the SWU's are therefore a non-issue.

I do understand from a more objective point that the SWU's on full fare only tickets are pretty cruddy, and can appreciate the disappointment that there is no change here. Further - it's the highest Elite members whom are getting no love.

I think I'd switch more Intl flying to NW/DL if I had a chance to get Plat and get real SWU benefits, but because the current Plat benefits really don't make it worthwhile over Gold, I tend to book transcontinental flights with other carriers.

Overall, for me personally, the 2010 programme keeps me happy enough and I love the rollover EQMs (although cannot figure out if the rollover applies effective for miles accrued in the current 2009 year - EDIT - it appears they can).

That's the issue that many on FlyerTalk have. Granted, there is an extremely high concentration of Platinums on this bulletin board. And that's where a lot of the problems lie - it seems to many of us that DL/NW is catering heavily to those Silvers/Golds (and giving those passengers a superior elite experience compared to AA/UA), especially if you're a North America traveler (as Star Gold/OW Sapphire/ST Elite Plus doesn't come into play).

The issue is that with those perceived improvements to the lower levels, the top levels are hurt a bit. DL's admitted that there's only so many dollars in the pie (as there most likely are with AAdvantage and Mileage Plus). AA and UA tend to give smaller slices of that pie to their 25k/50k EQM flyers than does DL. Thus, there's more "pie" for AA/UA top-tiers, and less for DL/NW top-tiers.

Today's announcement basically seals the deal in my mind for that. DL's international upgrade policies are the most draconian of any major carrier if you're not on a high-fare coach ticket. Even US has a more liberal policy, where you can pay 30,000 miles (40k to TLV) and $300 to upgrade to Envoy. So, on a $500 coach ticket to Europe, you can pay $600 and 60k miles to sit up front - I'd consider that, especially since a DL M fare for a similar route could run upwards of $2200. Allowing DoD upgrades is an improvement (though all other majors have allowed it...), but it still has DL sitting in the cellar.

If you're a solely North America traveller, you're in good shape with DL. But I like to go to Europe a couple of times a year on vacation - I'd like to at least have a shot of sitting in Business without having to break the bank to do so. There are a lot of people in a similar boat here on FT - they like to take an international vacation once or twice a year, and don't want to sit in Y. With DL, it's break the bank for an M fare (which isn't an option for everyone; and then pray that Z inventory is there) or burn a ton of miles (and hope low award inventory is there - which two new nonstop destinations - JNB and SYD - appear not to have any low-J seats available on the nonstops from the US at any point going forward.

I have to admit I'm not 100% up on all the promos as they don't apply to me, but aren't there a whole bunch of offers geared to US residents such as Amex cards etc. that earn extra EQM? If so, I'd question how many Plats actually fly more and spend more with the airline itself than BIS earned "no promo" Golds?

Frankly, without those unlimited EUA's and superior elite experience compared to AC/UA, I'd be off to Star in a hearbeat. If WestJet ends up in OneWorld, Skyteam will only get the Canadian market by offering a strong programme for Silver/Gold.

Again, this is from the perspective of someone in Canada whom doesn't have as many NW/DL options as those in the US - but personally without the good SE/GE programme NW/DL wouldn't see me again and I think that's the case for most of us north of the border.

I 100% agree with your analogy though about the pie and the distribution of benefits to the tiers. Perhaps that's where the 'new Delta' could go above and beyond AA/UA and their pie, offering both the superior 25k/50k experience AND the comparable/superior to UA/AA 75k+ experience? Starting with SWU's

The SWUs make the above two statements meaningless spin. Although rollover EQMs are an interesting twist that costs Delta nothing.

Between the still lame SWUs and the removal of the companion upgrades at 5 days out for Plats, the Delta merger has been a value reducing letdown.

I think it's great that you'll share on these forums, but if this is the opening act, I'm not expecting much.

I hope you aren't disappointed in the reception the new Delta elite program has received, but if your management didn't expect this, they are out of touch.

Good:

Rollover MQMs.
Free Sky Delta Sky Club membership is good for Diamonds.

Not so good:

I always enjoyed NWA companion upgrades (I'm Platinum) - those upgrades occurred regardless of fare class. Upgrades confirmed for Platinum and companion at five days in advance. I wish DL had the same benefit.

Thanks Blank, I appreciate it.

What is the course of action for us. Reading the post today it sounds like many are upset about the YBM upgrade cert for international. I am since I fly so much internationally.

Do we all email them and voice our concerns. Is there anything we can do, or do we just sit and accept what they give us?

Thanks

I'm going to be voting with my wallet.

I don't understand why so many of the posts are complaining/unimpressed. It is what it is. You aren't required to reach any elite level. You aren't required to utilize any of the benefits if you don't like them.
I travel because that is how I get to work. I am PM now and will most likely be Diamond next year. So what. In the end, I get on a bus to get to work. Then I get on a bus to go on vacation. Sometimes I get coke sometimes I get pepsi. I have yet to get off a flight and been dehydrated. Seriously people get over yourselves.
I am sure that this post won't win many friends, but it is so hard to get info when there is so much negative noise to plow through.
My thought scrap the whole program and guarantee me that I will never have another delayed flight or miss a connection. That would blow away any auto upgrade or SWU benefit as I would feel that the airline actually values my time as my as I do.

I'm expecting that the EQM/MQM-rollover won't remain for more than a few years at most and -- maybe even before that goes -- I'd expect more NW program customers will find out that full status miles for international trips will be less and less common than NW program customers are used to today. Also, who wants to watch out for the rollover change being used as a marketing ploy to cut full status miles earning too?

Until a few years ago, DL gave Platinums free lounge membership as a Platinum perk. DL management eliminated that. Then again this is typical of DL management: take away much from more customers and then give that or a little (less) back to a smaller segment of customers than before.

Welcome to Delta Airlines, where management takes from the many to give it back later to even fewer than before.

Why offer PMUs for YBM fares that can't be used ("broken")? Why not broken unlimited free int'l upgrades? It's the same thing but it definitely sounds better.

I would even venture as far as broken certificates for free rides in the cockpit (Diamonds only tho).

ETA: DL can still claim that people didn't use them therefore they didn't want them and then withdraw the offer.

What a steaming pile of horse crap. Worthless "benefit" after worthless benefit. What about the segment traveler like me? I flew 130+ segments last year and am Plat for the 3rd year in a row after defecting from US. I had enough and only flew NW/DL for the first 3 months of the year and have 32 segments and 38k EQMs. So, I'll be dropping to Silver and would have considered heading back to plat with good benefits, like no restriction SWUs.

However, why bother trying for Plat when there will be an even higher level? The customer service on DL sucks. The attitude of the FAs I have encountered sucks. The FF program sucks. Coming from US to NW, I was very happy, but now I have had to jump ship yet again. Way to go Delta.

OT here....on my last Delta flight SEA>MSP, my wife asked the FA for a cup of hot tea for my 6 year old daughter. The FA's response- "For her? Hot tea? She's how old?"...then as he turned to the cart "You've got to be freakin' kidding me". Are you serious, you old codger? Just because your employer sucks, don't take it out on us. This just reinforced why I am not returning.

I think the majority of us who are underwhelmed by the new structure travel internationally quite a bit and were looking for top-tier benefits in line with AA/UA, namely SWUs that are useful and perhaps one or two certs to open up award inventory. We are complaining because DL is very mouthy about 'best in class' etc. but a straight up comparison of Diamond vs. AA/UA top tiers shows the grass is greener over there.

On AA international all fares except netsaver and lowest fare. For domestic all fares except netsaver.