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EDIT! Below is an updated screen shot!
Gosh we all HATE that word. What word? “Enhancements”! Delta smiles and gleefully uses it to announce what they view as improvements. We hear the word and cringe and think “oh no, what now“. But this may not be the case this weekend, as I blogged about Monday, when the “official” news comes out about Delta’s new C+ fare class.
- Fare changes coming to Delta! Comfort+ fares launch on 14NOV15
- Preparing for Delta C+ fare class roll-out & medallion “enhancements”
- Delta WHACKS Medallion C+ perks & 40% LEVEL 1 award upcharge!
- Delta C+ auto-upgrade sends Delta Diamond Medallion to CENTER SEAT!
- The Delta upgrade elite’s want to “JUST SAY NO” to. Avoid Delta Comfort+
- Delta could “save” many HVC Delta Diamonds with one change!
First what we think we know and much of it really is guessing from leaked info since Delta cannot talk about “price related issues” without getting into really hot water with the FEDs.
We do know this will impact Medallions and Medallion upgrades. We also know, as many of us have (painfully) experienced that Delta TECH does at times mess up our requested upgrades. Delta often blames “us” for not doing it right, and that can happen, but there are other times when a Delta rep is at fault when it comes to upgrade requests being input incorrectly.
EDIT now changed to Request Upgrade
It seems there will be new technology, as part of the C+ upgrade roll out, that will be used to help administer the request for us and those flying with us and those with us on same PNR. Some of that is already showing up as our wording changes on Delta.com from “Medallion Upgrade Requested” to “Manage Upgrades” with a new improved box to make changes and adjustments. I am sure we will see many more options show up this weekend.
At first glance I really love this as it does put more of the responsibility to ensure requests are done the way we want them on US not a Delta rep. This is a “Keep Climbing” change if it works. As an eternal optimist I hope for the best!
But make no mistake to think this is a tiny change. This is a MASSIVE adjustment and the implementation of all of this, I am assuming, will not happen without negatively impacting some of us. Like what?
How will the new fare class (many have reported to be W class) work with Skyteam partners? Could this mean a shot at Virgin or Air France Premium Economy seats? I doubt it and if it does a bunch of their folks, who think they are getting a special seat on Delta, will be very disappointed!
Will this have a positive, negative nor neutral impact on SDC & SDS, that is, will the fare class for purchase allow free changes to ANY open C+ seat and or will Medallions who get this free be an “UP” class so the original fare class will apply for changes?
There are questions as to earning MQMs. Will we get 150% MQMs as W fare classes now award on Delta and on Skyteam partners if booked on Delta.com? Will you be able to book this on OTAs or only on Delta.com? If you upgrade with SkyMiles (or other means) does that impact your earnings and on and on!
We really could go on all day long with this as there are so many more questions than answers at this point since the only info we are learning is from “unofficial” sources and what we can sleuth out by playing with Delta.com and seeing what is changed.
Just please be ready for this weekend and as all the changes begin. I will be flying a bunch next week and I will be spending a great deal of time Sunday making sure all my flights are as they should be and I will be watching and monitoring closely Monday to make sure none of these “enhancements” mean a “Shena” event for me! – René
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Whenever Delta announces an “enhancement” it usually means the elites suffer. They spun the SDC policy change to be an enhancement and something we requested. I know of no one that likes the new SDC policy except those who buy FCM fares.
I’m hoping that diamonds and PM’s will continue to have C+ seats available for free at booking and the upgrade system stays the same. I’m sure we’ll have fewer seats available now that all FO’s get 2 certificates and gold’s get 4 a year but as long as they can’t use them on international or flights where diamond’s and PM’s can’t get first class upgrades like JFK/LAX that shouldn’t be that big of an impact.
So if in our busy world we forget to go into Manage Upgrades and check “yes” Request Upgrade does that me Delta automatically routes us to coach ??
@its numbus – It should be automatic but with the new C+ UG you may want to tweak just when those happen. But the bottom line is YES you will want to check each and every flight. You can use SlowGogo free for Delta.com so there is that!
Isn’t there a “rule” in corporate communications to announce bad news on weekends and good news during the work week?
@John – Delta announces bad news any day of the week but last year it often hit on Fridays!
I actually like the idea of GM/FO elites getting C+ upgrade certificates. Now I actually have a shot at getting a C+ seat on an elite heavy route as a GM (without playing the game of trying to snag blocked seats when they open up).
It still bothers me that, just because I have to use my company travel agency, I don’t get the multiple on my miles when booked on delta. I hear folks talk about how I get all these “free” miles because I fly for business but I’m really getting the bare minimum because I’m not allowed to book directly and I’m limited by the company travel agency to book the lowest possible fare. Thank goodness the travel agency doesn’t load the basic fare into the system because if I’m forced to fly a basic fare, then I won’t travel for business.
Hi Rene….I see the new Box, but I also noticed That it appears I must confirm the request for an upgrade. And also apply this to all segments in the trip.. Strange language.
Medallion status is so degraded now, I am starting to wonder if I really care about it. Looks like I will take my PM and my wife’s GM elsewhere or we will just go independent and go on price alone.