Changes to DL upgrade program
 

Randy,

As you're probably already aware, DL has made significant changes to their medallion upgrade program and once again they have done it in the middle of the year. I will not restate the obvious implications of the above.

There are already several threads on the DL board weighing the pros and cons of these changes. For the most part, the concensus is that there is limited upside and certain downside (of course, we're trying to bear in mind that there is not one kind of traveler, that everyone's needs are different; perhaps there is someone for whom this is the deal of the century).

The one thing I think everyone, or almost everyone, can agree on is that DL is potentially making a very big mistake and, certainly, they are going about this very big mistake in a less than stellar manner: replying to emails from top-elites with form letters.

While the news has yet to truly sink in, this might brake the camel's back for some of us--or at least those of us with options. No one really wants to do that, so I am therefore writing you to see if you can offer any suggestions in terms of fighting this battle as it is certainly not too late for DL to abridge some of these changes.

Thank you for your time and this forum,

The Scribbler

Randy,

I second scribbler and implore you to please help us with this.

Thank you for all that you do for us.

hfly

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Randy,

Please help us with this. Also, it would seem that there is a Delta "mole" on the boards who is trying to "spin" things. Can you "trce" him?

Thanks

Randy,

Any thoughts at all?

Randy -

Do you have any insight on this whole situation? A substantial amount of Medallions - Silvers, Golds and Platinums - are up in arms about this move by DL.

SEEKING INSIGHT, any news? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dear Randy,

I know from the live chat the other night that you went to ATL to meet with DL and to speak about the new changes. You also alluded to the reasoning that DL is using for making these changes.

Could you please enlighten us to a greater extent as to what DL is really thinking and what if anything we can do about it, people are dying to hear. (I know that you alluded to a lot of this during the chat, unfortunately only James and Opus17, besides myself were "there").

You also stated that DL fliers are not as "militant" as others, most notably United. Can you suggest what good militancy tactics could be employed to try to "change" the system??

As always, thank you very much for the things you do for us.

hfly

(ps. where are the 1000 bonus miles I won on the chat, lol.)

I would like to second hfly's request - and add a question of my own.

Do you think there is any chance (and if so what chance) that Delta will reverse or relax its newly announced ploicy?

Randy,

In interests of your time, I'm very sorry I wasn't at the live chat as we could have discussed the matter then.

Hfly,

Would you mind passing on here whatever insight Randy did have at the live chat? Thakns.

I also missed the chat session. Until wireless web access makes it on the European flights, planning to be on line is tough.

If possible, could someone sum up Randy's comments on DL FF 2001 changes in some detail. The changes to the plan are severe enough to make me jump ship, and this is something I dread doing. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Second that request. Some genius here knows how to do it I'm sure!

Jim


[This message has been edited by jimquan (edited 08-19-2000).]

Sorry for not posting earlier....

Randy basically said that he went to ATL to meet with DL and he did not think that they would back down. He stated that this was because of the popularity of the BE product and that even though the planes are not 100% full, DL feels that by doing this they are saving us all from a lot more pain in the future (my characterisation, not his).

Randy also acknowledged that they are not quite considering all of the disadvantages to certain types of members as they should, i.e. those based outside of the US (like myself), those whose wives/husbands/others live outside of the US and are lower tier than PL (like myself).

Anyway, I would love Randy to expand a lot more on this. I believe that this is probably the hottest topic ever that Randy has ever waited this long on writing on.

Randy, if you are planning on featuring this in next months magazine, please let us in on your insight, we're in trouble here.

Also, Randy made a comment along the lines of... BA will join an alliance with DL.

Please, Randy - any comments on your part on:
- the detriment of the systemwide upgrade perk.
- the BA / AF / DL speculation

Thanks.

Some in depth detail from Randy would be very helpful as jumping ship from DL to UA or CO is not far away. If DLs mind is made up, then they probably will not miss me, and I bet they have a lot more empty B/E seats in the future when their best flyers change airlines.