Delta leads US network industry with Skymiles overhaul

More SkyMiles changes...the MQD requirements are being raised by ~20%. Doesn't impact me since I get my status from Amex comp but it works out to $0.12/mile.

Josh
 
and again, given that DL is expecting a higher margin and yield than either AA or UA, they are obviously capable of continuing their increases to improve their current strategies.

Also, are you saying that your status is coming heavily from Amex? I thought you were complaining of others doing that. maybe I missed something and if so let me know.
 
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Yes. Not complaining about it just saying that your assertion that DL doesn't give things away isn't true. You realize NWA was the king of customer giveaways? They regularly upgraded elites at the gates on non-oversold flights to WBC on long haul flights and did things like rub 16 FC seats on small DC9 and 319s for the purpose of maintaining complimentary UGs. NWA was also very liberal in compensation and yes I believe it ultimately was abused by many but I think that's more a function of them lacking adequate CRM capabilities.

Josh
 
I didn't say that DL doesn't give anything away... just that do it less so than their peers and are still increasing their yields higher and faster.

and, yes, NW had their own other airline market raiding strategy that was not a whole lot different in principle - although at higher prices - than HP/US' strategies.

NW was too small to compete against AA, DL, and UA at the time and offset their relatively small network footprint by discounting esp. in regions where they were not strong.

as for the Amex relationship, DL clearly has calculated that increasing revenue from some customers via the Amex relationship is worth more than from some DL passengers who fly on lower value tickets.
it's worth a reminder that ancillary revenue from any carrier involves SUPPLEMENTING revenues that come from non-passenger sources. Upgrading your own passengers and other perks requires displacing some of your own potential to grow revenue INTERNALLY.

DL has linked its Amex program to changes that increase ancillary revenue with the ability to grow its own internal revenue, including by providing amenities that help create loyalty while still allowing DL to increase its own revenues via what airlines do best - expanding its network where the greatest opportunity to increase revenue exists and not by incentivizing passengers solely for the sake of making new routes work.
 
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DL gives away status with two Amex products.

1) Amex Reserve card awards MQMs in lieu of redeemable miles but comes with benefits like priority boarding, free bags and SkyClub access

2) Amex Centurion (black card). Formerly it gave Gold Medallion (along with CO, US, and NW). As those partnerships have ended and the value of the card has eroded AMEX has strengthened their relationship with DL and given us Platinum. It was a great way for USAIR to gain premium customers that otherwise wouldn't fly them.

DL Medallions also get to use choice benefits and among the selections is the ability to nominate anyone for DL status upto Gold. Make no mistake this isn't a means to thin out the elite ranks and provide a more exclusive experience but rather to get people to spend more than they otherwise would on DL

In my circles it seems every man and his brother have DL status even if they rarely/never fly DL.

Josh
 
The following just hit my inbox:

THE MORE EXCLUSIVE 2016 SKYMILES MEDALLION PROGRAM.
Let's face it. Your loyalty should earn you exclusive benefits that make travel easier, such as complimentary or discounted access to Economy Comfort seats, Preferred Seats and Priority Boarding.

That's why we're adjusting the 2016 Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQDs) thresholds to add even more exclusivity to the SkyMiles Medallion program.*

And we won't stop there. We're working hard to bring you our very best check out our new premium Delta Sky Club® menu and industry-leading complimentary Delta Studio entertainment as you jet around the globe.
What a joke.

Josh
 
DL Medallions also get to use choice benefits and among the selections is the ability to nominate anyone for DL status upto Gold. Make no mistake this isn't a means to thin out the elite ranks and provide a more exclusive experience but rather to get people to spend more than they otherwise would on DL
and again, all of that revenue is coming to DL above what they get from their ability to sell seats for higher revenue.

DL's passenger RASM has been above average for its peers for years; DL clearly has a high enough quality product that they can afford to be more selective about what they give away to their own customers.

The ancillary revenue that DL gets from their Amex relationship is ABOVE and BEYOND what they get from their own passenger revenue.

As much as you and others may not want to admit it, AA and UA are locked in an ongoing fight for customers that often involves competing for many of the same customers. DL has long been able to grow in other carriers' markets far more than AA or UA has been able to do the same in key DL markets.

the loyalty programs of each airline reflect those network and revenue dynamics
 
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http://www.forbes.com/sites/grantmartin/2014/10/12/delta-air-lines-makes-mileage-program-20-more-expensive-eliminates-upgrades-for-discount-tickets/

 
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines continued the bloodletting in its SkyMiles mileage program late last week, announcing new qualifications for earning elite status in their 2016 program and eliminating upgrades on some deeply discounted fares. The changes come after the airline reinvented their SkyMiles program earlier this year to include a revenue component to any earned elite status — no longer could a passenger earn silver status after flying 25,000 miles, for example, to qualify for the 2015 program the passenger would have to fly 25,000 miles and spend a minimum of $2,500 on the airline.
 
Apparently the revenue requirement for the 2015 program was not steep enough. On Thursday, Delta quietly raised the spending requirement for their 2016 program as such:
  • Silver from $2,500 in 2015 to $3,000 in 2016
  • Gold from $5,000 in 2015 to $6,000 2016
  • Platinum from $7,500 in 2015 to $9,000 in 2016
  • Diamond from $12,500 in 2015 to $15,000 in 2016
Passengers thus flying on Delta in 2015 and earning status for 2016 will be required to spend a minimum of 20% more than they did in 2014. The minimum spends are also in addition to the 25,000, 50,000, 75,000 and 125,000 respective miles that additionally need to be flown in order to qualify for elite status in each tier.
 
 
Old news. DL gives away status like candy why bother actually flying DL and spending MQD requirements if you can just get comp status each year? This scheme has nothing to do with thinning out the elite ranks but rather everything to do with getting people to spend more money.

Josh
 
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and again if DL's customers walk away then that will provide evidence that DL is asking too much or forcing people to spend more than they are willing to spend.

The fact that DL continues to grow its network faster than any of the big 4 and at the same time is increasing its RASM shows that DL is properly pricing its product, including for the services including Skymiles that are part of DL's revenue stream.

And the chances are very high that UA will do the same thing given that they have followed DL's other FF program changes and are also reporting strong RASM growth.
 
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UA can and probably will match. Unlike DL I have no reason to fly UA other than their superior Star Alliance partners although with the gutting of MileagePlus last January it's just not worth redeeming 130k (one way) to fly partner FC to Asia.

Josh
 
and if DL and UA can increase their mileage requirements and still report superior revenues to AA, then it says that they have a superior product.

consolidation in the industry was bound to result in an increase in fares and a decrease in benefits. passengers like you who are looking for the most service for the cheapest price may not be happy but employees and stockholders subsidized service for way too long. It is time they now get paid what they are worth even if it means the freebies aren't as generous as they once were.
 
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