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FrequentFlier Forum Topics
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As always, there's plenty of activity on the Forum...
Debbie wants to earn miles for her Disney vacation. P. Strand shares his frustration at the lack of available award seats. The Airtran debate continues. And John wants YOU to sign up for Sales.com.
Do you have questions? Do you have answers? Post them to the Forum!
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The FrequentFlier Forum
M I L E S
Delta Downgrades Elite Upgrades
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Change is hard, even when it's change for the better. When it's change for the worse, it's downright painful.
With the announcement this week of a change to its upgrade policies for elite members, Delta's Silver and Gold Medallion members are feeling that pain.
Basically, for Silver and Gold Medallion members, the old systemwide upgrade is being discontinued and replaced by the new North America upgrade. As the names suggest, a systemwide upgrade can be used internationally as well as domestically, while the North America upgrade is valid only domestically.
In addition to downgrading the upgrades, Delta has made them harder to get. Whereas Silver and Gold members previously earned 2 systemwide upgrades after flying 20,000 base miles during a rolling 12-month period, they will now have to fly 40,000 miles during a calendar year to earn 2 North America upgrades. Thereafter, they will earn 2 additional North America upgrades for every subsequent 20,000 flown miles. I.e., members must earn more miles, and within a more restrictive timeframe.
The upside? The North America upgrade may be used by a companion, traveling with the member in the same cabin.
Silver and Gold members' loss is Platinum members' gain. Why? Because those BusinessElite seats no longer being used by Silver and Gold members will be available to Platinum members, who will continue to receive systemwide upgrades. Less demand from Silvers and Golds = more supply for Platinums. And the new Platinum systemwide upgrade is actually an improvement over its predecessor, as it can also be used by a companion.
Timing-wise, the changes take effect from January 1, 2001, and the current systemwide upgrade program will be discontinued as of March 1, 2001. Systemwide upgrades will continue to be earned through February 28, 2001, under the current provisions of the program, and will be valid for 1 year from date of issue.
Why the changes? Delta cites the full loads in its international BusinessElite cabin, and the corresponding need to "to meet the expectations of our top tier medallion members and other business travelers." Which begs the question: Aren't Medallion members, by definition, Delta's best customers? Shouldn't their needs come first?
In addition, and possibly only slightly less compelling, Delta is likely looking forward to the day when some degree of standardization will need to prevail among the members of the SkyTeam global alliance (Delta, AeroMexico, Air France, Korean). The new, more conservative policy is a much more likely candidate for alliance-wide adoption than was the previous, more generous one. (In general, look for alliance-driven changes across other programs as well.)
There are 2 ways of looking at the changes--you can compare the new upgrades against the old, in which case the new represents a net loss for the majority of elite members; or you can compare Delta's new benefits against other airlines' current upgrade benefits, in which case Delta arguably has relinquished its former advantage in favor of simply maintaining parity with its competitors.
I have no doubt this was a difficult decision for Delta. On one hand, there is heavy demand for their high-profit product, BusinessElite, by revenue passengers; on the other hand, that same product is highly coveted by the company's best customers, as a reward for their past and future loyalty. There's no simple way of reconciling those conflicting interests. (Although, increasing BusinessElite seating capacity does come to mind.) Delta opted to maximize short-term profit (more revenue tickets, fewer upgrades) during a high-demand period, hoping that the fallout will be negligible when the economy eventually softens and competition for frequent flyers heats up again. Time will tell whether they made the right decision.
Note that the 800-mile segment upgrades are unaffected by the new policy.
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Delta
SkyTeam Sweepstakes to Award 2.6 Million Prize Miles
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A few weeks ago, we reported briefly on the upcoming SkyTeam sweepstakes, and promised to provide full details when they became available. Here they are...
A total of 2.6 million miles will be awarded in the SkyTeam Million Miles Sweepstakes. The first prize winner will receive 1 million miles, good for award travel on any of the 4 airlines comprising the global SkyTeam alliance -- Aeromexico, Air France, Delta and Korean Air -- as well as all other SkyMiles airline partners. The winning miles also may be used for around-the-world redemption with the SkyTeam partners. The second prize winner will receive 500,000 miles, while a third-prize winner will be awarded 100,000 miles. One hundred fourth-place winners will receive 10,000 miles each.
The sweepstakes is open to all SkyMiles members who are U.S. residents and 18 years of age or older as of July 19, 2000. To enter, complete an online survey at http://www.delta-air.com/skyteam through October 15, 2000. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about October 31, 2000, and notified by mail. SkyMiles members may enter the sweepstakes only once.
Official rules are available at the below website link.
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Delta
Delta Will Offer Elite Members Phone Check In
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Delta plans to provide its Medallion-level SkyMiles members with a new, simplified check-in process, allowing them to check in for flights via a toll-free telephone number.
Medallion customers who travel domestically with an e-ticket and carry-on baggage may check in remotely prior to flight time via a toll-free telephone number. Once at the airport, passengers who have used the new remote check in may present their SkyMiles Medallion membership cards, along with picture IDs, and board the aircraft.
Delta will begin testing the program this fall with SkyMiles Medallion members in Jacksonville, Fla.
Upgrades and other transactions will continue to be handled at the ticket counter.
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Delta
Double Miles for Chicago/Denver-Toronto Flights
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Mileage Plus members who fly roundtrip between Chicago or Denver and Toronto, August 1 - November 30, 2000, earn double miles.
Eligible fares are first (F class), and selected fares in economy (Y, B, M or H class). Travel must be completed by November 30, 2000. Offer is valid only for U.S. and Canadian residents with tickets purchased in the U.S. or Canada. Valid only on flights operated by United, United Shuttle and United Express, and not valid on Air Canada flights or on United-marketed code share flights.
To earn the bonus, you must register before departure and before November 30, 2000. To register, enter offer code "30" at United's website or by phone at 1-800-447-6772.
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United
Win AAdvantage Miles in BankDirect Sweepstakes
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BankDirect's new JetAway Sweepstakes offers participants the chance to win AAdvantage miles.
Now through Oct. 13, 2000, visitors to www.bankdirect.com can register to win one of the weekly 10,000 AAdvantage mile prizes, and the Grand Prize of 100,000 miles. To enter, visitors must log on and fill out the online entry form. BankDirect will announce the 10,000 AAdvantage mile winners at the end of each week for 10 weeks, beginning August 25, 2000. The Grand Prize winner of 100,000 AAdvantage miles will be announced on Oct. 27, 2000.
New and current AAdvantage members can open a Mileage Checking or Mileage Money Market Account and immediately earn 1,000 AAdvantage miles -- plus miles on monthly account balances. An additional 5,000 miles can be earned with direct deposit into a Mileage Checking Account. AAdvantage miles are also awarded upfront on 6, 12 and 24-month Mileage CD terms.
No purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.
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BankDirect
S T E A L S & D E A L S
Deal Alert from SmarterLiving.com
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This week's hot deals from SmarterLiving.com...
Fall Travel Savings from US Airways, TWA, Midway, Vanguard
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US Airways, TWA, Midway, and Vanguard have announced sales on fall travel. Purchase tickets by Friday, August 4 for US Airways, TWA, and Vanguard, and by Monday, August 7 for Midway.
For more details, go here.
Save on Fall Travel to Frankfurt and Paris
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American Airlines is offering savings on travel to/from Frankfurt and Paris (DeGaulle). Travel is valid for departure from September 1 through October 28. Fares must be purchased by Sunday, August 13.
For more details, go here.
B U S I N E S S T R A V E L T I P S
Getting to and from the Airport
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The following is part of a continuing series of business travel tips from Chris McGinnis's "The Unofficial Business Traveler's Pocket Guide--165 Tips Even the Best Business Travelers May Not Know."
>> By Hotel Shuttle
Many business travelers forget to ask about this (usually) free service when making their reservations and end up paying exorbitant cab fares when they could have gone for free. Actually, courtesy airport shuttle services are built into your hotel rate, so if you don't use them you are actually paying twice. In many cities around the world travelers will find a bank of courtesy phones near the baggage claim area at the airport. It is wise to check there first to see if your hotel provides free shuttle service.
Chris McGinnis
Travel Skills Group
http://www.travelskills.com
R E A D E R R A N T S & R A V E S
None this week.
F R E Q U E N T F L I E R F U N N I E S
True (Funny) Travel Stories
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Reported comments to a reservations agent...
"My husband's coming into LAX from Seattle. Will that arrive at the international gate?"
[FrequentFlier Funnies are true stories told by pilots, reservations agents and other travel industry professionals, from William Joric's "Air Sick Humor." The book can be purchased at the FrequentFlier Bookstore at
http://frequentflier.com/ffp-books.htm]
Until next week...
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