Delta's Elite FF changes

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Delta Air Lines Inc. is expected to change its frequent-flier program to let travelers roll over extra elite-qualifying miles and credits from one year to the next. By allowing customers to roll over miles and credits that aren’t needed to reach a status level, the airline hopes to discourage travelers from splitting their loyalty among multiple airlines.

Delta Woos Elite Travelers - WSJ.com

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Of course, they are also going to add a fourth elite tier, which means the existing three will be degraded. This is also probably a sweetener for those will be understandably be upset about that move.

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

Why moan?

From the article, the top level will give you free membership in the Sky Club (formerly Crown Room). No mention of other "Downgrades" to lower level tiers and I do not see it as one since this is a new bennie for the most hardened road warriors.

The roll over is a good deal to me as I have often "lost" a few miles every year after qualifying for Silver/Gold levels since they do not "roll over".

I am sure they will make other changes as well but I see no downside to the new level except more folks will probably qualify for Silver/Gold/Platinum thus reducing upgrades etc. Of course since I will be one of them, who am I to complain?

Times have changed in the FF game and I go with the flow having benefited for many many years.

Cheers

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I wish United will do a similar rollover program. I have 38,000 miles this year with virually no hope of getting to 50,000. If I could roll over 13,000 miles I'd be halfway to elite for 2010.

Sue

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

AA has had the most positive change, in allowing one way redemption for half the miles. No other US-based carrier does that, although BMI in Europe does. It was great using 6K miles for an intra-Europe one way flight recently.