Newbie asks if there is any reason to rollover miles instead of go for GM this year
Given my situation below, I was wondering if there is any reason I should not complete my upgrade to GM this year and instead roll over the miles to next year?
Sitting at 44000 right now. Current Amex Plat. Probably one MBS/FNT/DTW – LAS run this year for pleasure and then could do a short mileage run to fill the rest (FNT-MCO for around 7.5cpm).
Next year I plan on upgrading to the reserve card but as mentioned in the forum you have to wait a year to upgrade between plat-reserve so I think I need to wait until approx April. I plan on flying 8-10 times next year on DL (paid for). So between the 10k MQM + 15k (and possibly 15k more, but that is doubtful) for spending on the card that would leave me with less than 25k to earn next to keep the GM, which shouldn’t be too much of an issue (unless my travel plans fall through!).
If I don’t get GM this year and roll over the 19k miles and do the same, I probably won’t hit GM until close to mid-year anyway.
So any reason not to complete it this year…other than basically a wasted MR of ~$220?
As a long time lurker I wanted to thank everyone for all of the great and valuable information provided in the flyertalk forums!
Programs: Delta:PM, Amex:DL Reserve, National Emerald Executive, Everything for every hotel chain EVER.
Posts: 27
I'm a big fan of "There's no better time than the present". I was faced with the same predicament last year. I was 4k short of Platinum, i decided to rough it out, and it took until early october to get there. Granted i did take 2 months off traveling this summer. I have the amex reserve card and only use it when i travel to see a client (hotel, rental, airfare) and will earn the 15K bonus MQM's this month for spending $30K in a calendar year. Plus it gives you a tie breaker when you are getting upgrades if you come across the same fare/status with other medallions.
Take your significant other on a trip to see some place they've never been as a good MR, spend the night drink some beers and do it again.. My wife loves its when we just take off with no plans other then to be at the airport a few days after we leave.
The jump from silver to gold is AMAZING when it comes to upgrades (but i live on the west coast and have a minimum of one connection to SLC).
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, American AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 740
Based on what you're telling us, I say go for Gold, especially since you'll fly enough in 2013 and earn enough MQMs through the welcome bonus and spending on the Delta Reserve to already qualify for Silver for 2014 (or maybe even requalify for Gold for 2014), so it's not like you need the roll-over for that. If you're flying 8 to 10 times already in 2013 (and perhaps more if other plans come up), then having Gold will be a huge difference and well worth the investment IMO.
"Take your significant other on a trip to see some place they've never been as a good MR, spend the night drink some beers and do it again.. My wife loves its when we just take off with no plans other then to be at the airport a few days after we leave."
Thanks Dave...not a bad idea...except my MR cost would double by taking her along with a hotel! I don't think she'd be that excited since we do quite a bit of traveling.
"Based on what you're telling us, I say go for Gold, especially since you'll fly enough in 2013 and earn enough MQMs through the welcome bonus and spending on the Delta Reserve to already qualify for Silver for 2014 (or maybe even requalify for Gold for 2014), so it's not like you need the roll-over for that. If you're flying 8 to 10 times already in 2013 (and perhaps more if other plans come up), then having Gold will be a huge difference and well worth the investment IMO."
FDJ87, I'm assuming I will be good for gold in 2014, but all of my flights are personal (usually weekend gambling or fun trips), so those 8-10 aren't guaranteed (when I said 'paid for' I didn't mean they were already paid for but they weren't going to be using miles).
That was my only hesitation (and the MR $!)...give up GM in at least the first half 2013 to guarantee in 2014...but I think both should be attainable.
So far, so good....looks like I'll have to line up that MR!
Thanks for the responses so far!
"Take your significant other on a trip to see some place they've never been as a good MR, spend the night drink some beers and do it again.. My wife loves its when we just take off with no plans other then to be at the airport a few days after we leave."
Thanks Dave...not a bad idea...except my MR cost would double by taking her along with a hotel! I don't think she'd be that excited since we do quite a bit of traveling.
You could use points to take her with you. Or use the Amex companion ticket.
Given my situation below, I was wondering if there is any reason I should not complete my upgrade to GM this year and instead roll over the miles to next year?
Sitting at 44000 right now. Current Amex Plat. Probably one MBS/FNT/DTW – LAS run this year for pleasure and then could do a short mileage run to fill the rest (FNT-MCO for around 7.5cpm).
Next year I plan on upgrading to the reserve card but as mentioned in the forum you have to wait a year to upgrade between plat-reserve so I think I need to wait until approx April. I plan on flying 8-10 times next year on DL (paid for).
To me, it really depends on the situation regarding WHEN you're going to hit those BIS 10K. I'm in a similar situation, but I'm waiting, as I will have completed enough to hit gold by mid-April. This way i'll get gold benefits for at least 20 months as opposed to the 14+ you'd normally get if you push for MQMs right now.
All up to you, though :-) If you're not planning on doing much travelling in 2014, then just go for it now...
I made GM last year for the first time after 20 years of fairly extensive travel on a mix of airlines...finally got a job that let me choose one airline.
The GM phone line and SDC is enough reason to strive for it, even without the occassional upgrade. I've made it home early on so many trips where meetings finished early...how to you value an extra half day of family time each month? Plus when you see the 30->40->60->90 minute delay happening and can do something about it...priceless.
Programs: DL PM (as of 12/19/2012-all BIS miles), SC Member: 2012 upgrades 43 of 59
Posts: 774
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbarnette
You should go for GM. The difference between Silver and Gold is worth the mileage run.
Absolutely right!! I spent years as FO and finally hit GM 2 year ago. It's a huge difference.
Though part of that can depend on what you're looking for with the higher status. FO is really only good for free bag check but with your AMEX you get that anyway and Zone 1 (I think?).
If you're just looking for higher UG percentage with GM, it really depends on when you fly. If you fly a lot of T/W/Sat's and aren't in medallion heavy cities you'll see a pretty big increase but on peak days there'll be plent of DM's and PM's above you that UG's are few and far between.
BUT Sky Priority check in, security etc is worth a lot in time spent especially if you fly out of a hub or focus city (MSP, SLC, etc) where they wait can be 30-45 minutes or more at peak times.
Also, during IROPS or weather issues, GM phone # gets you to an agent much faster than FO.
And you get a free HOOU (drink/snack coupon) for every flight that you dont' get UG'd in advance. And free domestic Economy Comfort which is nice.
Since you'll be flying 8-10 trips next year, you'll definitely be in the air enough to take advantage of GM.
hopefully you can find a cheap MR. Check the board here and you may find something. If you're able to fly on odd days (Christmas day for example), you might find a 4 or 5 cpm (cents per mile) MR that would get you where you need.
Also, delta might (though I hope not!) offer a promo where you can buy MQM's as they did last year. That's also pretty pricey though so play around with cheap MR's before you take the plunge to buy MQM's.
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, American AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 740
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanky42
FDJ87, I'm assuming I will be good for gold in 2014, but all of my flights are personal (usually weekend gambling or fun trips), so those 8-10 aren't guaranteed (when I said 'paid for' I didn't mean they were already paid for but they weren't going to be using miles).
That was my only hesitation (and the MR $!)...give up GM in at least the first half 2013 to guarantee in 2014...but I think both should be attainable.
So far, so good....looks like I'll have to line up that MR!
Thanks for the responses so far!
I figured by "paid" you meant "non-Skymiles reward trip" and would be receiving MQMs, but I also get what you mean about your travel schedule being unpredictable. I'll be in the same boat for 2013. I'll make Gold this year but my travel schedule for 2013 is looking a bit lighter than this year; however, I should get enough between the AmEx and what I am pretty confident I'll fly to at least maintain Silver. Like I said though, as long as you think you will get enough MQMs at least maintain Silver for 2014 if you go for Gold now, I say go for it. Now that's assuming the welcome bonus for upgrading to the Delta Reserve doesn't go away and if it is still available when you go to get the card, but if it is, you'll maintain Silver just by getting the card and spending the minium $30K. (10K MQM welcome bonus and 15K MQM for the spending threshold).
