Preferences for DM Choice Benefits
Apr 28, 2016, 9:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 26
Preferences for DM Choice Benefits
Good evening FT,
I'm about to choose my 2016 DM choice benefits - the 4 GUCs are a no-brainer for me for the first choice (10th Anniversary trip with the Mrs.), but I'm interested in the forum's thoughts about what to choose as the second benefit. Most of my travel is domestic for work, but I also take 4-5 trips per year with my wife and son (neither have status).
Like to hear some takes on this - thanks for the help!
I'm about to choose my 2016 DM choice benefits - the 4 GUCs are a no-brainer for me for the first choice (10th Anniversary trip with the Mrs.), but I'm interested in the forum's thoughts about what to choose as the second benefit. Most of my travel is domestic for work, but I also take 4-5 trips per year with my wife and son (neither have status).
Like to hear some takes on this - thanks for the help!
Apr 28, 2016, 9:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
I'm about to choose my 2016 DM choice benefits - the 4 GUCs are a no-brainer for me for the first choice (10th Anniversary trip with the Mrs.), but I'm interested in the forum's thoughts about what to choose as the second benefit. Most of my travel is domestic for work, but I also take 4-5 trips per year with my wife and son (neither have status).
I'd recommend taking the 25,000 miles. If you are smart enough to get a decent award (like an international biz-class award), those miles worth more than 2 cents each. Of course, that takes patience and enough other miles to combine to have enough for something like a roundtrip award to Europe in biz class.
If you can use those 25,000 miles effectively, that's over $500 in redemption value. That exceeds the value of the other choices like the gift certificates or the upgrade to an Executive Skyclub membership.
You can upgrade some one to Gold status, but I wonder how much value the giftee would really get if he or she isn't earning status on their own.
Apr 28, 2016, 9:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
May 1, 2016, 1:37 am
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
For Plat I like the $200 Delta voucher. If I did LAX-NYC regularly would do the regional ones but I don't usually fly that route. Will be DM this year for the first time so I'm aiming for the Global upgrade certs
May 1, 2016, 1:48 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,089
So far, GUCs + gifting Gold to my SO.
She's already gotten significant value out of it when flying solo (free SDC, a few UGs, free checked bags, priority standby, etc), and would otherwise not make status on her own (though she may make SM at this rate for next year!).
I took RUCs as my PM this year.
She's already gotten significant value out of it when flying solo (free SDC, a few UGs, free checked bags, priority standby, etc), and would otherwise not make status on her own (though she may make SM at this rate for next year!).
I took RUCs as my PM this year.
