FDX-Delta stopped givng 50% class bonus miles
 

Just noticed that a flight that I bought through Global travel for coach class and was upgraded five days prior because of elite status, didn't pay the typical 50% class bonus. Usually if you sit in first class then you get the bonus. Has anyone else noticed this? I think that they changed this recently.

We lost our discounted NWA fares when the merger was completed.

Lakeside,

I have noticed the same thing. When we were using NWA, Fedex bought our coach class tickets at "Y" class. This is a very expensive, completely refundable coach class ticket. Of course we bought them at a very big discount. If you were an elite (silver, gold, whatever) you would be upgraded the next day after the ticket was purchased (if FC was available). If corporate travel ticketed you (payment was received), you could be upgraded weeks in advance due to the fact it was a "Y" ticket.


You received a 50% bonus due to the fact it was a "Y" ticket, not because you were upgraded. If you were flying an RJ without First Class or if there wasn't room for you in First Class, you still got the bonus. The airlines don't care where you sit, they care what you paid.


With the Delta contract, our coach tickets are being purchased as "H" class or something lower than "Y". Therefore we have to wait longer for upgrades to process and we don't get the bonus.

From Delta website-- When upgrades are processed:

All MedallionsTime of ticketing for Y class fares

Diamond Medallion5 calendar days in advance for B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, and T class fares2

Followed byPlatinum Medallion5 calendar days in advance for B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, and T class fares

Gold Medallion3 calendar days in advance for B, M, H,Q, K, L, U, and T class fares

Silver Medallion1 calendar day in advance for B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, and T class fares


Bonuses:

First/Business Class Mileage & MQM Bonus 50%

Premium Coach (Y,B,M Fares) Mileage & MQM Bonus 50%


How's that for an answer!

Corporate Travel told me that Delta took over the NWA contract and Delta tickets will be reasonably cheap until that current deal expires in June. I got a good deal on an Air France (A-380!) flight using Delta codeshare.

This is all correct.

We used to get the NWA upgrade at time of ticketing for Gold Elite or higher (I believe)??

Now, the upgrade comes as described above - X days in prior based on Elite Status.

However, I haven't been denied upgrade yet.

Also, still receiving the Elite % bonus - based on Elite Status (extra 100% for Platinum Elite) - this is/was in addition to the class % bonus.

Last time I got the class bonus was late Jan 2010.

Here is how it has been recently working for me. The fare basis for the tickets bought by Global Travel have been showing up in the Delta reservation system as an equivalent to a Y-0 (Y-zero) fare. At NWA our tickets used to show up as an equivalent to a Y-26 fare. Those fares would be swept by the computer and upgraded ASAP after being ticketed.

I have called Delta on the Elite line and mentioned the Y-0 fare and requested to be upgraded and they have been upgraded on the spot if seats are available. There is no need to wait for the elite upgrade. Call and you will be upgraded once the reservation is "ticketed" or paid for is a better choice of words.

Where do you find the info about the fare class on our tickets? I looked at my Delta reservation and didn't see it on either the company email record or the Delta web site.

I haven't ever seen it on the email from Global Travel - all that ever says is "Economy" or "First"

The Delta web site under your login - trip itinerary - has the Y or H or F or V codes under the class column.

Their web site is the only place I've ever seen these codes.

You can always call Global Travel and ask them what the class code is on your ticket/reservation.

If you go to trip summary on your pairing, it will also state which class ticket, ie Y, FC, FCF, FFC.....

Actually, it has nothing to do with the class of service purchased. It has everything to do with the "fare basis code" in which the tkt was purchased...If you ask Delta to check that...you'll get your upgrade...

Not disagreeing with the upgrades...

But, with regard to the 50% class bonus that helped you make elite levels faster, tickets bought from Delta are not being credited. We would always get this bonus from NWA, I think it is how the ticket is classified. The tickets would also get upgraded immediately without a phone call because they were considered Y class (actually Y26).

Just called the diamond line about upgrading for a flight that I have 10 days from now and they didn't know what I was talking about with the "Y-0" fare. They told me that my fare was "M" and I would be upgraded five days before if available. On recent flights I notice that my "class of service paid" was "H/V" Where is this "Y-0" fare?

Anyways, this sucks with the fact that we don't get that class bonus. It's going to take alot more flights to reach the different levels.

I liked NWA better.

As long as I'm ranting, Delta elite line customer service sucks. They can't correct any mileage inaccuracies that you point out to them. They can only make a note on your account and then some other dude in India(what the lady told me) is supposed correct the issue later. Well, I have inaccuracies from over three months ago. NWA elite line reps would fix it on the stop.

Does this thread make anyone else want to hurl?

I always considered the upgrades and miles a small consolation for the stress and large savings FX gets from my deviating. I feel spoiled from NWA's last year with all the bonuses and promos they put out just before they switched over and the rollover mileage appeared great from Delta. Looks like they have their own mileage savings program to offset the bold print promos. Prices seem to be creeping up too. The non-refundables credit the same amount. Might as well save a couple hundred next time I know I'll be doing the trip.

Not me. You must never deadhead if making elite status doesn't matter to you. It is a nice deal to get a first class upgrade rather than sitting between two lard a$$es. If this thread doesn't interest you, move on and shut your pie hole! Thanks for the input though...

Our fares from Global Travel can be coded differently such as H class, etc. They are fully refundable corporate discount tickets that are the equivalent of a Y-0 fare. You won't see Y-0 anywhere on your ticket or booking. It's code the airline agents use. Y-0 is a code Delta uses. If you get a Delta agent that knows what they are doing and has been working there for a while (preferably a former NWA agent) they will know exactly what you are talking about. If you aren't getting the response or service you expect, politely say thanks, hang up and redial for the next rep. I have upgraded several tickets with no issues well prior to the elite upgrade window.

Here is a recent entry from my Delta account. Is this the 50% class bonus you are not getting? This was from a flight 4 days ago.

13 Mar 2010 Air Activity Bonus: Delta Air Lines 50% Class Bonus 0 250 250 250

machz,

I haven't got that bonus on a coach fare this year. I did get this on a first class ticket though...

Info---Good.

Whining---Bad.

P.S. I am a commuter.