Sep 26, 2017, 1:09 pm
Last edit by: Renes Points
On 26SEPT17 Delta changed the MQD AMEX exempt requirements. $25,000 only exempts you to Platinum or lower. $250,000 spend needed across ALL the DL AMEX cards you hold (personal and business in your name) for Diamond exemption for 2019 elite year.
If all you are interested in is the discussion starting when the announcement occurred on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, start here.
The Delta announcement is here https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/news-and-updates.html
There are many data points that Delta will allow a one time exception under the 2017 qualification rules if you request this for the 2019 Medallion year.
If all you are interested in is the discussion starting when the announcement occurred on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, start here.
The Delta announcement is here https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/news-and-updates.html
There are many data points that Delta will allow a one time exception under the 2017 qualification rules if you request this for the 2019 Medallion year.
Delta increasing Diamond MQD Waiver to $250,000
Jul 17, 2017, 7:02 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, GOES
Posts: 711
But if DL's goal is to thin the herd, well, this should do it. Hmm... bigger picture.... DL's real goal as we know is to hit 80% paid F... which leaves a good number of DMs not getting UGs. If they lower the # of Dm's....
Jul 17, 2017, 7:02 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 610
Jul 17, 2017, 7:06 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 716
The rules of the game change- it's part of it, but with that being said, it certainly is becoming more difficult to remain loyal to any single airline.
Given the constant devaluations across every US FF program, it sure makes it easier to flirt with the ME3.
I will make PM organically regardless of card spend, so it is quite tempting to cancel the DL Co-branded credit cards, move that portion of spend over to Chase CSR and just shop for the best first/biz class fares...
Given the constant devaluations across every US FF program, it sure makes it easier to flirt with the ME3.
I will make PM organically regardless of card spend, so it is quite tempting to cancel the DL Co-branded credit cards, move that portion of spend over to Chase CSR and just shop for the best first/biz class fares...
Jul 17, 2017, 7:27 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,581
LOL, it will have the same effect that it had at UA when MP members protested about the many devaluations there.
Jul 17, 2017, 7:37 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
We are talking about even more than 'several' orders of magnitude of difference in these two scenarios IMHO.
Jul 17, 2017, 7:47 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM PM
Posts: 2,034
It's nice in the years when BIS miles are lower than usual (like this one) to be able to use rollover + AMEX spend to keep at DM for the following year. In a normal year, my BIS miles exceed the $15k threshold quite a bit. Paying for international J does that. Not sure what DL gains by my ditching my AMEX (which I will consider if this pans out, but there are the MQM to consider too) but ok.
Jul 17, 2017, 7:54 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
I've never needed the the CC spend waiver. This will only affect me when I retire in about 5 years. I plan on most flying F & J then anyway.
Jul 17, 2017, 7:57 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
I think I can sum up the two camps
1) Yeah! This thins the heard, and I'll get more upgrades!
2) This is the worst kind of discrimination...the kind against me!
I will say that everyone wants fewer Medallion members, just so long as they don't take away the way that you personally get your status.
1) Yeah! This thins the heard, and I'll get more upgrades!
2) This is the worst kind of discrimination...the kind against me!
I will say that everyone wants fewer Medallion members, just so long as they don't take away the way that you personally get your status.
Jul 17, 2017, 8:01 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Jul 17, 2017, 8:08 am
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Jul 17, 2017, 8:12 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NYC/LAX
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 389
Answering earlier question WorldTrvl -
Flights to SIN, BKK or KUL via NRT OR to JNB from East Coast achieve approx. 20,000 miles. They cost typically under $1,200 coach (due to route competition vs. other carriers) depending how far in advance they are acquired.
It is possible to take 5 of these flights within a year or with some combination of roll-over and obtain 125,000 flying miles for under $15k.
Flights to SIN, BKK or KUL via NRT OR to JNB from East Coast achieve approx. 20,000 miles. They cost typically under $1,200 coach (due to route competition vs. other carriers) depending how far in advance they are acquired.
It is possible to take 5 of these flights within a year or with some combination of roll-over and obtain 125,000 flying miles for under $15k.
Jul 17, 2017, 8:23 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
This would block me from Diamond. I fly and spend at a Platinum level. I use the MQM boosts and MQD waiver to make Diamond.
For Amex: If this happens, I'll downgrade my Delta Amex card and use it a lot less. I might give it up altogether. If you exclude the MQD waiver, I get more value out of my Chase card.
For Delta: I'm not angry about the proposed change. Business is business. But if I'm not Diamond, I don't care as much about being on Delta when the fares aren't equal. For example, I'm heading to Dallas in a few weeks with my daughter. I paid more for Delta over American because Delta takes care of me in a pinch due to my status. Post-Amex waiver change (assuming it happens), why not take the cheaper fare?
For Amex: If this happens, I'll downgrade my Delta Amex card and use it a lot less. I might give it up altogether. If you exclude the MQD waiver, I get more value out of my Chase card.
For Delta: I'm not angry about the proposed change. Business is business. But if I'm not Diamond, I don't care as much about being on Delta when the fares aren't equal. For example, I'm heading to Dallas in a few weeks with my daughter. I paid more for Delta over American because Delta takes care of me in a pinch due to my status. Post-Amex waiver change (assuming it happens), why not take the cheaper fare?
Jul 17, 2017, 8:28 am
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I think I can sum up the two camps
1) Yeah! This thins the heard, and I'll get more upgrades!
2) This is the worst kind of discrimination...the kind against me!
I will say that everyone wants fewer Medallion members, just so long as they don't take away the way that you personally get your status.
1) Yeah! This thins the heard, and I'll get more upgrades!
2) This is the worst kind of discrimination...the kind against me!
I will say that everyone wants fewer Medallion members, just so long as they don't take away the way that you personally get your status.
Jul 17, 2017, 8:29 am
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I mean if flyertalk is going to just devolve into a place where everyone only talks about what would be good for them personally, getting rid of MQMs and waivers and using straight MQDs would be a huge boon for me since I fly a lot of short trips on relatively expensive fares.
Jul 17, 2017, 8:36 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
SkyMiles 2019: The single top spender on Delta gets a pass for him/her and spouse/kids for unlimited free travel in business class. Nobody else earns miles anymore, or receives any sort of rewards for flying. Still not a devaluation, since it benefits somebody?