Now we know why RP/OP were removed... reference the 2014 skymiles program changes. DL doesn't want you to find flights where there is upgrade inventory and sit up front on a V fare intl ticket.

By keeping it secretive, they can easily zero out inventory or play games where they only release inventory for certain fare classes in advance and send pax on the cheap fares to the gate to fight over the last couple seats.

Buried in the new Regional Upgrade Certifcates T&C is the following snippet: "After booking Economy Class tickets eligible for upgrade, the SkyMiles member whose name appears on the certificate must contact Delta to book the upgrade reservation for the member and, if applicable, his or her travel companion. Delta representatives must book in "RP/OP" class and travel agencies must book in "R/O" class." (bolding mine).

I wonder what this bolded part means? Is DL still publishing to RP/OP to GDS as R/O for travel agent's use? I would check EF for R/O classes, but I already cancelled.

R and O are ordinary low award inventory. You can check it by searching for award tickets on delta.dumb (or not).

Well this is interesting, EF will show R/O for flights where it is >0 if you specify one of the classes as an "other" class in the award search. I did some quick testing and it seems to have a close, but not perfect, link to First/Business award inventory on Delta.com the way that N does. So either the R/O is something new or they are in fact the new upgrade inventory classes, however that would have to be confirmed in some way.

I would think the new Global Upgrade is a mixed bag for DM's on Intl flights. Over the past few years I have been both DM and PM. I never buy J (although recently I have purchased 1-way Z inventory) and have stuck to Y/B/M. As a DM on the waitlist, I was upgraded 7/8 times on LAX-NRT-LAX. The only time I wasn't upgraded was when there was a cancellation of another US-bound flight and they moved all the J passengers onto the LAX flight. As a PM, I was upgraded 3/4 times. My fare was always M or above. I have flown through SEA or DTW on occasions to ensure my
chances.

With the new Global upgrades, it pretty much eliminates PM's from scoring an OP unless coach is oversold and folks are bumped up. Within the DM community on a particular flight, one would assume DM's now purchase the cheaper fare (say Q, S, T etc.) and unless it clears ahead of time, the fare-bucket and medallion status will dictate the order. Now, the spectrum of fares which DM's will book is much wider, so while in the SWU days, pretty much M-fare is what the DM's book (occasional B... but unlikely to be Y since the Z or other Biz fare is usually cheaper than Y)... now, it changes, so I think DM's will book closer to M than really take the opportunity to book the cheapest fare.

Thoughts?

Unless the DM is looking for the bonus MQMS to help re qualify for DM the following year, only B, and Y earn the MQM 50% bonus, the lower fare coach tickets do not.

Thanks for all the input, I dropped EF like a bad habit. The game was fun while it lasted. There's no reason for a PM to pay $9.95 per month to find out about seat alerts.

I am in Moscow needing to rework a complicated multicity international trip which reinforces my disappointment with DL on this score since I need EF (for OP) to get everything to fit.

EF takes your money and doesn't do squat in return. Except maybe try to upsell subscription at every turn.

Sorry, but wrong! Hardly a day goes by that I don't use it for something. Personal, and work, too! It's good for TONS of thingz besides upgrade availability!

***Disclaimer: I do not work for, nor do I get commissions from EF!



DT

One good thing about EF they do share info, and it is always nice to see them at the Chicago Seminar, supporting the cause.

+1

I'm also a fan.

Bruce

You are confusing them for the SkyPeso program. EF doesn't upsell you. Great product, great engagement here on FT� lot's DL's IT can learn from.

That said, I do understand it cost DL a few pennies each time we use EF and they want to control costs. It just dumbfounds me that they blocked EF without giving us the info we need on delta.com.

Knowledge is power.

Of what possible value is it to Virginia Ave for them to make the UG process more transparent to us, or easier to work within?

Doesn't it make more sense that it would be to their advantage to leave you guessing so that you might give consideration to purchasing an FCM fare, or buying up one or two fare classes to improve your UG chances?

Giving us information about which flights have better UG opportunities works to their disadvantage.

It's now been a couple months since I chose not to renew my EF subscription based on these changes and I can honestly say that I'm not missing it a bit. Is there some good information on EF? Yes. Can that same information be found through other sources or via DL for free? Yep! I've found that my solution is to rely a bit more on DL Assist. A quick Tweet has been getting the answers I want/need whether its been in the midst of travel or just sitting on the couch at home preparing for an upcoming trip. In fairness, I've gone back and forth with EF subscriptions for the last few years and so I'm not a strict EF apologist and maybe why this hasn't come as a total system shock to not have access to it now.