The Official Medallion Qualification Update Thread
Jan 18, 2016, 2:10 pm
#3016
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: DL
Posts: 963
I would like to apply for a SkyMiles Medallion Match and would like to time it to maximize my match. Any updates on how long it takes between the time you apply and when they confer temporary status?
Jan 23, 2016, 12:02 am
#3017
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SEA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 19
I applied for a status match challenge (from UA Platinum) on 03JAN, after which I booked a DL flight for 15JAN. By 13JAN I had nothing from Delta, so I Twitter DMed @DeltaAssist and got a reply 12 minutes later. 17 minutes later I received an email stating that my temporary Medallion status will be effective the following day (14JAN). Therefore, I recommend applying for the status challenge at least 2 weeks before your first planned flight with Delta, and if you haven't heard from them 2 days before the flight, DM @DeltaAssist.
BTW, on 14JAN I got upgraded for my 15JAN flight that I had booked 2 weeks earlier.
BTW, on 14JAN I got upgraded for my 15JAN flight that I had booked 2 weeks earlier.
Jan 27, 2016, 7:06 pm
#3019
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
Feb 5, 2016, 7:01 am
#3021
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta
Posts: 7
Delta diamond--harder to reach even with massive credit card spending
For the past two years I have been Diamond on Delta. I usually miss the MQM cutoff by a few thousand miles but due to massive spending on the Delta Amex card Delta finds a way to grandfather me in to the Diamond. That stopped this year, now I think it is time to desert Delta and go to United. Anyone else not feeling the love from Delta? They talk about "Keep Climbing" but I guess that means profitability not customer service. 
Feb 5, 2016, 10:14 am
#3022
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
For the past two years I have been Diamond on Delta. I usually miss the MQM cutoff by a few thousand miles but due to massive spending on the Delta Amex card Delta finds a way to grandfather me in to the Diamond. That stopped this year, now I think it is time to desert Delta and go to United. Anyone else not feeling the love from Delta? They talk about "Keep Climbing" but I guess that means profitability not customer service.
Feb 5, 2016, 11:05 am
#3023
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM 1.77MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 2,782
For the past two years I have been Diamond on Delta. I usually miss the MQM cutoff by a few thousand miles but due to massive spending on the Delta Amex card Delta finds a way to grandfather me in to the Diamond. That stopped this year, now I think it is time to desert Delta and go to United. Anyone else not feeling the love from Delta? They talk about "Keep Climbing" but I guess that means profitability not customer service.
Feb 5, 2016, 12:22 pm
#3024
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
Feb 5, 2016, 1:14 pm
#3025
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
For the past two years I have been Diamond on Delta. I usually miss the MQM cutoff by a few thousand miles but due to massive spending on the Delta Amex card Delta finds a way to grandfather me in to the Diamond. That stopped this year, now I think it is time to desert Delta and go to United. Anyone else not feeling the love from Delta? They talk about "Keep Climbing" but I guess that means profitability not customer service.
Feb 6, 2016, 8:04 am
#3026
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Also, I strongly suspect that "massive spending" is just a $25k/$50k (or $30k/$60k) threshold on the DL Plat/Reserve Amex, giving OP the MQM boost he/she needs to make DM.
DL is not known for "grandfathering" people into status based on Amex spend. In fact, they are better known for telling people "too bad, try again next year" when they are even less than 1,000 MQM short of a status level.
You either make the MQMs (including rollover and Amex boosts), or you don't. Simple.
Mar 5, 2016, 6:58 pm
#3027
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 609
After qualifying for Silver about as late as you can last year, I hit Silver again on Feb 20, and Gold on Mar 3. With a trip to Stockholm next week and Mumbai the week after that, I should reach Platinum on March 24. Diamond is likely on the horizon for early May.
It's been 20 years since I've had to travel this much, and the world is a far different place than what I remember back then. For the most part, I'm happy with Delta, but I am a bit nostalgic for the 80s-90s United flights that were often about half full.
It's been 20 years since I've had to travel this much, and the world is a far different place than what I remember back then. For the most part, I'm happy with Delta, but I am a bit nostalgic for the 80s-90s United flights that were often about half full.
Mar 17, 2016, 3:02 pm
#3028
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC LAX RDU
Programs: US-Plt;Concierge key; American AAirpass; Delta Silver;Starwood - Platinum; Amex Cent
Posts: 710
Every time I click on Medallion qualifying Miles on the Delta website it won't take me to an explication....I have a few discounted Delta One flights JFK-LAX booked over the next few weeks. Is there a chart that shows what fares give MQM bonuses? Or are there none? Thx.
Mar 17, 2016, 3:49 pm
#3029
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,890
Every time I click on Medallion qualifying Miles on the Delta website it won't take me to an explication....I have a few discounted Delta One flights JFK-LAX booked over the next few weeks. Is there a chart that shows what fares give MQM bonuses? Or are there none? Thx.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ith-delta.html
Mar 20, 2016, 1:07 pm
#3030
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 46
I signed up for a Gold Medallion challenge in early January, but due to some unforeseen circumstances I had to postpone several planned trips, so I probably won't make the MQM threshold.
I am aware that status matches are once-per-lifetime, but does anyone know what happens if you fail to complete the challenge - does Delta allow you to try another challenge later on?
I am aware that status matches are once-per-lifetime, but does anyone know what happens if you fail to complete the challenge - does Delta allow you to try another challenge later on?