First DL trip with PM status match challenge
Oct 22, 2017, 1:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 49
First DL trip with PM status match challenge
Hi all!
Just relocated to SEA, so applied for the DL Status Match with my BA Gold, have the challenge for PM for 18500 MQM. I have two SEA-CDG-DUB (CDG-DUB legs on AF) and return booked so should manage to get them
I am traveling in Y, and selected Y+ - I guess thanks to the fact that I show as PM.
I had couple of questions:
Just relocated to SEA, so applied for the DL Status Match with my BA Gold, have the challenge for PM for 18500 MQM. I have two SEA-CDG-DUB (CDG-DUB legs on AF) and return booked so should manage to get them
I am traveling in Y, and selected Y+ - I guess thanks to the fact that I show as PM.
I had couple of questions:
- As I am flying international and am a PM, I should get access to the SkyClub in SEA. I also believe I can guest someone in. Can the guest travel on any SkyTeam flight? Or does it have to be international? What about international the same day (i.e. SEA-XXX and XXX-DUB)?
- The status challenge explicitly states that I don't get reciprocal lounge access with other SkyTeam members. However, I don't see anything on my digital PM card (valid 'til mid January) that would state that... Will I still have access to the AF lounge in CDG, and the 3rd party lounge in DUB?
- I believe that PM don't get complimentary upgrades to D1 on transatlantic flights, that's for DM right? So a plane could leave with empty D1 seats? Is there any way to pay cash for airport upgrades for those?
Oct 22, 2017, 6:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
They didn't in the past. I suspect that the increased use of JVs mean that they get more value from partner flights in Tier 1 than they used to, so they're more willing to accept them as part of a status challenge.
Oct 22, 2017, 6:47 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
MQM earning on a DL challenge is not limited to Tier 1 carriers. It's all per the chart.
Oct 22, 2017, 7:59 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 49
Yep, that was more an intro to my real question which is about paying for the upgrade at the airport or at check-in
Oct 22, 2017, 8:52 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062
There are no comp upgrades to D1. Delta Diamonds can select 4 Global Upgrade Certificates as a Choice Benefit which can be used on D1 flights, but they do not get unlimited upgrades to D1.
Oct 22, 2017, 9:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
Since the status challenge states that you won’t get access to partner lounges you should assume that you won’t have lounge access at CDG. Often partner lounges want to see a “real” card, not a digital one. The AF lounges are not known for being flexible about the access rules.
Medallions usually do not get access to third-party lounges unless they are traveling in Delta One or a SkyTeam premium cabin, so you should not expect lounge access in Dublin either.
Others may comment if they have run into exceptions to the above.
AF sometimes sells upgrades to Business at the gate on flights between the US and CDG. DL will leave with empty D1 seats on international flights.
Medallions usually do not get access to third-party lounges unless they are traveling in Delta One or a SkyTeam premium cabin, so you should not expect lounge access in Dublin either.
Others may comment if they have run into exceptions to the above.
AF sometimes sells upgrades to Business at the gate on flights between the US and CDG. DL will leave with empty D1 seats on international flights.
Oct 22, 2017, 11:33 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062
There is no official DL buy-up upgrade program. You might get an offer at check-in, but it appears to be largely random. If you ask an agent for a price, you will simply be quoted the fare difference. It's possible to upgrade with miles on international flights if you have a K or higher fare. There's no official chart, so you have to call DL for pricing.
Oct 23, 2017, 12:26 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
CDG is very straight forward with lounge access: If you are supposed to have access, you will get it.
Now, DL could limit the account of those who are enrolled in the status match and not transmit the info to the partner airlines.
Now, DL could limit the account of those who are enrolled in the status match and not transmit the info to the partner airlines.
Oct 23, 2017, 12:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 352
Since the status challenge states that you won’t get access to partner lounges you should assume that you won’t have lounge access at CDG. Often partner lounges want to see a “real” card, not a digital one. The AF lounges are not known for being flexible about the access rules.
Medallions usually do not get access to third-party lounges unless they are traveling in Delta One or a SkyTeam premium cabin, so you should not expect lounge access in Dublin either.
Others may comment if they have run into exceptions to the above.
AF sometimes sells upgrades to Business at the gate on flights between the US and CDG. DL will leave with empty D1 seats on international flights.
Medallions usually do not get access to third-party lounges unless they are traveling in Delta One or a SkyTeam premium cabin, so you should not expect lounge access in Dublin either.
Others may comment if they have run into exceptions to the above.
AF sometimes sells upgrades to Business at the gate on flights between the US and CDG. DL will leave with empty D1 seats on international flights.
to the op, i doubt your skyteam status will have updated...i became gold a few weeks back and i have made 3 new reservations with skyteam partners and all are still showing me as silver so there is a long lag time and delta controls if skyteam status is updated
Oct 23, 2017, 12:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
im doubtful the physical card is necessary as golds only have digital cards
to the op, i doubt your skyteam status will have updated...i became gold a few weeks back and i have made 3 new reservations with skyteam partners and all are still showing me as silver so there is a long lag time and delta controls if skyteam status is updated
to the op, i doubt your skyteam status will have updated...i became gold a few weeks back and i have made 3 new reservations with skyteam partners and all are still showing me as silver so there is a long lag time and delta controls if skyteam status is updated
Oct 23, 2017, 12:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 352
Oct 23, 2017, 4:44 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Oct 23, 2017, 5:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
While I have no inside knowledge, I suspect the Tier 1 revenue sharing and ownership deals made it easier to accept partner MQMs as "real" for status challenges, and that decision then cascaded down to the lower-tier partners.
Oct 23, 2017, 6:43 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 49
Thanks all !
I have a separate booking for another flight on AF, and it does show me as Platinum and one free bag because of that.
The physical card is interesting. I've never had to show it with BA, the first couple of times I tried to show it I always got told "Nah that's fine, it's coded on your boarding pass, don't need to see it".
Looks like SkyTeam is different... Will have to try, and we'll see !
I have a separate booking for another flight on AF, and it does show me as Platinum and one free bag because of that.
The physical card is interesting. I've never had to show it with BA, the first couple of times I tried to show it I always got told "Nah that's fine, it's coded on your boarding pass, don't need to see it".
Looks like SkyTeam is different... Will have to try, and we'll see !