Delta status match
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3
Delta status match
I'm looking for ideas here for a unique problem. I flew delta in the 1980s over 2 million miles and because of that I have lifetime gold. However I moved away from Atlanta in early 1991 and my flying on delta was reduced to a few flights a year. I'm in the position to fly well over 125k miles a year now again on delta. However when I requested status match(I'm American executive platinum) they told me they couldn't provide status match since I was already delta gold. After the rejection I even emailed Delta CEO. But my email was sent back to woman in customer service who had rejected the status match and she rejected it again.
Any one have any ideas on how I might get this match so I don't have to wait til the end of the year?
Any one have any ideas on how I might get this match so I don't have to wait til the end of the year?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
I don't think you're going to have much luck when you have GM status already. Especially if you tried emailing the CEO, and he referred it back to the previous person, there isn't much more that can be done, unless you want to use to conduct a seance to appeal to CE Woolman, (RA may be able to let you use his old desk ) you've gone as high as you can.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,850
At least OP will be Gold and have SkyPriority while waiting to cross the PM and DM thresholds.
David
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
What's next? "I am DM this year, but DL refused my request to match that status for next year. What can I do?"
#5
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
My flying has slacked off for now, but I have a strong feeling it's going to pick back up in 2025, can you just keep me DM until then...you don't just want to throw future revenue away do you?
#6
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,486
I can understand where OP is coming from. If one has lifetime status due to flying a number of years ago but hasn't been flying DL much (or at all) in recent years because they are on a different carrier's program, it seems to make sense to me for DL to try to win that traveler back. Alas, DL disagrees (which is of course their right) and I don't think there is anything the OP can do about it.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,925
Since DL only match challenges up to the Plat level, I don't see this as that big of a deal as there is not that big of a difference between Gold and Plat. If he's really going to fly 125K+ a year, it shouldn't take that long to get to Plat on his own without the challenge.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I can understand where OP is coming from. If one has lifetime status due to flying a number of years ago but hasn't been flying DL much (or at all) in recent years because they are on a different carrier's program, it seems to make sense to me for DL to try to win that traveler back. Alas, DL disagrees (which is of course their right) and I don't think there is anything the OP can do about it.
I did not inquire about a status match in either direction. I quickly earned my way up to Continental's top tier, and earned my way back up to PM (and, later, to DM) after I returned to DL.
I am philosophically opposed to status matches. They are just another way that the airline seeks to enhance its position by disadvantaging currently loyal customers in hopes of obtaining a future loyal customer... who, if he/she stays loyal, will be similarly disadvantaged at some later time.
#10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,486
I am philosophically opposed to status matches. They are just another way that the airline seeks to enhance its position by disadvantaging currently loyal customers in hopes of obtaining a future loyal customer... who, if he/she stays loyal, will be similarly disadvantaged at some later time.
Now if you could jump back and forth between programs matching year after year after year (EXP Year 1, match to UA Plat Year 2, match to DL plat Year 3, match to AA Year 4, etc etc) that would be a problem, but the matches don't allow that.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
OP didn't ask for his previous status to be reinstated out of some goodwill, he's an AA EXP. If he had flown 999,999 miles on Delta before moving out of ATL, and it was more than 3 years ago, he would have no Medallion status now and they would do a status match - which involves earning MQM in a 90 day window.
I understand what's going on OP, and a bummer Delta's CS doesn't care to see the potential of your renewed loyalty. If you've already escalated to the executive offices and been rejected, the nail is in the coffin on your match. Why not stay on AA? Or post over in the Skyteam section to see if a different carrier will match your EXP while you still earn on DL?
#13
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: 18,819
As pointed out above, DL doesn't allow challenges if you already have any Medallion status. However other programs e.g. SPG allow you to challenge for a higher status than you currently hold (provided other conditions are met). So the question is not in and of itself a ridiculous one...