Worth it to pay for 10k eqm for $995 to get silver medallion?
I just got am email from delta saying I could buy 10k medallion miles (only will count towards status). Currently I have 15500 mqms for this year. I would have to spend $995 to get 10k to get to silver medallion. I do plan to travel via delta in the future more often, and oftentimes we like to travel first if I can find it cheap enough. Is it worth it to pay the $995 to upgrade to silver? Would my miles roll over, or would only the miles in excess of 25k roll over for the next year once I obtain silver?
Programs: UA Plat, Avis First President's Club, Owner's Circle - Green Bay Packers
Posts: 4,649
Unless you've got status your mqms don't roll over to the next year.
A better idea is a premium credit card, the DL Reserve card from Amex would get you the majority of benefits plus club access for $450. "Bronze" status if you will.
__________________ I can haz upgrade my *A miles/segments? United. Hello?
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, American AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WIRunner
Unless you've got status your mqms don't roll over to the next year.
A better idea is a premium credit card, the DL Reserve card from Amex would get you the majority of benefits plus club access for $450. "Bronze" status if you will.
Actually he'd get 10K MQM as the sign-up bonus for the Delta Reserve anyway, putting him above the mark for Silver. 10K MQM (and 10K RDM) + SkyClub access + A companion ticket, all for $450; OR 10K MQM (and NO RDMs) for $995. To the OP: if you can get the Delta Reserve AmEx, go that route. But if you're not interested in the AmEx or can't get it or don't want it, personally, I'd say for $995, no it's not worth it for Silver. The only "jump" that may be worth $995 is *maybe* the jump to Diamond, more so for some of the unpublished benefits that come with being a Diamond, but even that would be a stretch.
Last edited by FlyDeltaJets87; Nov 16, 12 at 10:24 pm..
Reason: Edited for Typo
Here is one of the options for $995:
Purchase a round trip ticket between ORD and IST for ~$531 - $590 (10,960 miles) to get your FO for 2013 and apply for Delta AMEX Reserve Card in 2013 to start your 2014 MQMs.
Programs: AA Plat 2MM/UA G MM/DL MM DM 2015/BA Silver/Hyatt Diamond
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jattsingh
I just got am email from delta saying I could buy 10k medallion miles (only will count towards status). Currently I have 15500 mqms for this year. I would have to spend $995 to get 10k to get to silver medallion. I do plan to travel via delta in the future more often, and oftentimes we like to travel first if I can find it cheap enough. Is it worth it to pay the $995 to upgrade to silver? Would my miles roll over, or would only the miles in excess of 25k roll over for the next year once I obtain silver?
Silver doesn't get you much, and if you only fly 15k-20k miles a year then you also don't use the benefits as much. IMO, it is a waste of money. If you'll be flying a lot next year, then maybe it's worth it. But if you want Silver to use for the same level of travel, I think you will be disappointed.
This myth persists. Silver gets you a chance for upgrades I am running about 50%. I get to roll over mileage to apply for next year. I get to select preferred seating. If I have a weather delay, or even VDB I get booked into Y, and get to the top of the upgrade list. I get Sky Priority when I get upgraded. Free Bag. Zone 1 boarding. 25% SM bonus. Dedicated phone line, and a bit of extra help since I have some status.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roknroll
Silver doesn't get you much, and if you only fly 15k-20k miles a year then you also don't use the benefits as much. IMO, it is a waste of money. If you'll be flying a lot next year, then maybe it's worth it. But if you want Silver to use for the same level of travel, I think you will be disappointed.
$995 could pay for the fare difference between economy and first for a few (or even several) trips if first special fares are available. Though I'm not in the camp that says Silver is worthless, you certainly get very little as a Silver in coach that paying for first (even special fares) doesn't get you, and paid first gets you more bags, more bonus miles, and Sky Priority. Although you might get slightly shorter wait times if you have to call as a general member than as a Silver. Also, if you save the cash and plan to buy first instead, you aren't tied to any particular airline and can choose the routing, schedule, and price that is best for each trip.
Now, there certainly are domestic trips for which $995 is considerably less than the fare difference to first. If you're likely to fly those trips, Silver is more attractive. It's hard for me to imagine it being worth $995, though.
Location: TAS - somewhere I can't use my FF status and points very well.
Programs: AA PLT & LTG, DL DIA & LTS, Marriott PLT & LTG
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The most interesting thing is that they raised price by $100 for each level this year vs last (was $895 for 10k last year this time) which tells me:
1) Their economists have no idea what inflation really was in 2012
2) There was enough demand last year that they can raise price by over 10% (depending on which tier you buy).
I was hoping to use a VDB cert for the MQM purchase, but it appears that is not an option. MR or Buy? I have a month to decide I guess.
It really hurts that I am now at 10k spend and still have not made gold. I will have to buy the 10k at $995, and fly one more segment, which I already have planned. $11,000 to barely reach Gold no rollover to speak of. I think I am doing this wrong.
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 589
Plus with the sign up bonus MQM will get you 10k or 15k.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WIRunner
Unless you've got status your mqms don't roll over to the next year.
A better idea is a premium credit card, the DL Reserve card from Amex would get you the majority of benefits plus club access for $450. "Bronze" status if you will.
I'm 1/7 for upgrades as a Silver this year. Most of the other benefits are available from the Amex cards, except preferred seats. But you can buy EC (which you don't get as a Silver until check-in anyway) for a year for way less than $1000.
I think the Reserve card would be worth it (since it includes Sky Club), but the outright miles purchase would not.
