Not able to find definitive information anywhere regarding an increase in the redemption of Delta Air Lines SkyMiles for award travel on flights within Asia, FlyerTalk member CIPAS asked “Anymore info on recent redemption increase for intra-asia?”

When Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program members — especially those based in Asia — found out that the cost for a trip between Tokyo and Singapore increased from 20,000 to 45,000 SkyMiles, most of them reacted with enough anger to spread the word.

At the time this was posted on The Gate, officials at Delta Air Lines had not yet confirmed with an actual announcement of the new worldwide SkyMiles award chart, which apparently angered SkyMiles members even more than the actual redemption increase itself — so much so that a movement to call attention to Delta Air Lines via various methods seems to be gaining momentum, while others are furious enough to accuse Delta Air Lines of engaging in questionable business practices.

Many FlyerTalk members are actually wondering if this is one way in which Delta Air Lines Seeks Premium Status in Asia, and if they are paying the price for it regarding the alleged increase in the redemption of SkyMiles on intra-Asia flights as a result?

The announcement that Delta Eliminates SkyMiles Expiration may be cause for many members of the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program to cheer this news…

…maybe.

Not all FlyerTalk members are happy, as some question as to whether the value of a SkyMile will continue to erode, while others complain that this change mostly benefits those who fly on Delta Air Lines only once in a while, with the logic that the expiration of miles never really affects true frequent fliers. Other FlyerTalk members speculate that the redemption of SkyMiles for award travel will either be more difficult to redeem or that the redemption levels will increase…

…and then, there are those who are skeptical, thinking that if Delta Air Lines is giving a benefit back — as there was a time that Delta Air Lines miles had no expiration date — they are getting ready to take another benefit away…

Delta Air Lines Sky Club members who travel to or from Seattle might be pleased to know about the Seattle Sky Club to offer Showers in 2011. That might be of some relief to those who complain about Pigs in the sky club, which could be misconstrued as the Pigs in the Sky club, of which some might agree rather easily, rather than Pigs in the Sky Club, as in Delta Air Lines Sky Club.

Then again, tell that to the Sky Club patron who walks around the Sky Club in his socks, coughing all the way. Someone should remind him that he does not need to pick his nose, as he already has one…

Delta Air Lines announced today that a New International Economy Comfort Section for Long-Haul Flights will be introduced this summer, with features that include complimentary alcoholic beverages throughout the flight, additional leg room, slightly more seat recline, a specially designed seat cover, additional complimentary in-flight entertainment options, and in-seat power for electronic devices.

Seats in this new economy class section will cost between US$80.00 and US$160.00, but will be complimentary for Diamond Medallion and Platinum Medallion Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members and up to eight of their companions. Gold Medallion SkyMiles members will be eligible for a 50% discount on these seats, while Silver Medallion SkyMiles members will be eligible for a 25% discount.

For those of you who just cannot get enough travel on regional jet aircraft, here could be the opportunity for which you have been waiting: an authentic 2004 Bombardier Aerospace Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200 is For Sale!

What’s more, trade-ins are welcome for this like-new cream puff with low miles!

By the way, we also know of some Boeing 747 aircraft that was for sale, but you might be greater than eight years too late. Still, there is nothing stopping you from inquiring within…

After tomorrow all DL CAI (Egypt) traffic suspended due to civil unrest. Its last flight departs from Cairo on January 29, 2011. However, reports indicate that flights on other airlines in and out of Cairo will be suspended indefinitely as well.

Meanwhile, FlyerTalk members who have planned to be in Egypt in the near future are understandably concerned due to the uncertainty and potentially dangerous political unrest currently developing:

• Protests in Cairo and planned trip!
• Decided to cancel vacation to Egypt, what are my options?
• Is Egypt a mess right now?
• Egypt shuts down access to Internet and all mobile phone services

Hotel properties in Egypt, such as the Sheraton Cairo, are also experiencing abnormal operations due to the civil unrest.

Imagine a turkey sandwich that caused a Delta Air Lines customer service representative who “strongly feels that Medallion elite members should not be at a loss under any circumstances” to promptly refund FlyerTalk member reddawngrl — who complained about how her breakfast sandwich on a croissant and received an “Amusing email response regarding my inedible sandwich” — the seven dollars she paid for what she calls “nothing but mayonnaise and one slice of 1 mm thin turkey meat that was more fat and gristle than actual meat,” claiming that the sandwich was “inedible.”

Other FlyerTalk members wonder why she did not complain immediately upon being served a turkey of a turkey sandwich and receiving a refund while still in flight.

Even more amusing are similar forms of correspondence received by other FlyerTalk members that are nothing more than form letters with a line or two of customization added to them…

Most of us travel enough to know what to expect, as well as many of the secrets to traveling efficiently.

However, what if one happens to be 15 years old and traveling by oneself for the first time Flying DTW to LGA Unaccompanied On DL as an unaccompanied minor, but without paying for the actual service? Suddenly, many things that seem to be second nature to frequent fliers are new topics which need to be explained, such as sitting in an exit row seat, whether or not soft drinks are complimentary, entering the frequent flier number in the reservation to ensure miles are earned, etc.

Please welcome new FlyerTalk member FirstFlyer1415 to FlyerTalk and impart any advice you believe would be helpful and valuable.

Did LAX and ATL airports move 5 miles closer?

FlyerTalk member amolkold noticed that a Delta Air Lines flight this month yields 1,941 SkyMiles, yet the same flight last month earned 1,946 SkyMiles. In 2009, that same flight garnered 1,947 SkyMiles.

If this trend continues, the alleged shrinking distance between Atlanta and Los Angeles will be close enough to walk, rendering aircraft useless…

While reportedly not a new idea with other commercial airlines — and in order to increase the chances of oversold flights departing on-time — Delta Air Lines now has a New OLCI “oversold message” for VDB auction…

The way it supposedly works is that potential volunteers “bid” via Delta Air Lines kiosks for how much compensation they were willing to accept to change their travel plans, with the lowest bids being considered first.

Previously, when a flight was oversold, Delta Air Lines used to offer vouchers with an amount — $200.00, for example — by having gate agents announce at the gate with requests for volunteers who would be willing to change their travel plans for that amount. Occasionally, if no one responded to the call, the amount would increase. If the call for volunteers was early enough before the flight, one could put oneself on the volunteer list at a Delta Air Lines kiosk but with no dollar amount to bid.

Involuntary “bumps” are not affected by this new process.

Still, some questions remain: how does one know when is the next flight one can take — is it an hour later or three days later? How are the results calculated? Can winning bids be severely below compensation, such as an inexperienced traveler bidding $50.00 for an international flight, for example? Is a $1,500.00 winning bid for a short domestic flight possible if there are no lower bids?