Programs: DL KM, DM; HH Diamond, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Plat , 9 other airlines, 10 other hotels
Posts: 1,647
Quote:
Originally Posted by AeroWesty
It was unattainable within the normal, regular flying patterns of the time, plus the cost of doing so, ~25 years ago. Everything in context, remember the context ... It was a different world back then.
If 2% attained it, then I bet at least another 1% could have attained it if they really wanted to.
If 2% attained it, then I bet at least another 1% could have attained it if they really wanted to.
I'd place a bet that that number would have been far above another 1% if there had been the incentive to do so. My first mileage run was actually a segment run, flying two short flights to finish off earning a free r/t ticket in First. That was in 1982.
The creation of elite levels with level-driven benefits within FF programs was probably *the* most business-savvy move from the airlines in the post-deregulation era. It not only created demand where there was none before (to derive many flavors of benefits), but it also created competition between and within the elite levels. Talk about sitting on a ham sandwich! The airlines rolled the whole pig out while handing everyone a knife and fork.
Killing off "low value" elites doesn't necessarily mean life is going to get much better for "high value" elites.
Especially because Skymiles' main benefit is domestic upgrade, and 'high value' guys either buy F, or expensive coach fares that enable them to trump 'low value' guys on the list anyway.
I honestly can't think of a single thing 'high value' guys are going to benefit from this. Maybe shorter wait time on the phone?
Those that applauded for this change, I believe, are probably because the changes so far have not yet affected themselves. But stay tuned. Skymiles will likely keep evolving. Let's see what they have to say when they earn 1 mile per $ spent, and need 300k miles for JFK-LHR in J.
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 595
All valid concerns.
Lets look at them one by one:
May not have enough MQM for DM: Can be solved the same way it is today. MR or the ever available "Buy MQM from Delta". In fact, MRs may be easier to find since some of the "low revenue generating Diamonds" may have moved to other carriers.
What is MQD and I don't know my current spend: I am in the same boat. But since most of my business tickets are significantly over a dime a mile I should be ok. If you are doing two international on DL metal each year, I can imagine that with a few additional trips you don't top $12,500.
ST Partners and very low MQM on LUT fares: Valid concern. If possible riding DL metal can solve that.
Corp Amex Card and can't generate $25,000 on Delta Amex: Exact same boat as you. On many corp Amex cards, you can sign up for American Express Rewards if you personally pay the fee. Although not a great exchange rate, you could use these rewards to purchase personal Delta travel to help your spend or miles if needed. Really this comes down to whether you have a MQM or a MQD issue and it doesn't seem you know enough which (if any) you will have.
I have a different question that I haven't seen answered yet. How are ecert flights handled? Currently a VDB (or other voucher) spends like cash on the website and earns MQMs on the travel. I seem to generate about $1000 worth per year. I typically use them to top off my mileage account with quick weekend trips that I find in the MR forum (Did SJU x3 and HNL last year for quick diving trips).
Will these still count as MQM? (assumption Yes)
Will these count toward MQD (Have no idea, I can make a case both ways!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno
My first concern is that I will no longer have enough MQMs for DM after 2013. The second is about what actually constitutes MQDs as I don't have a neat breakdown from my 2012 spend. Combine this with losing MQMs on ST partners and having to use a corporate AMEX (not DL specific) then the outlook is bleak for me.
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 595
You are right.
SkyMiles will keep evolving. It however has to stay competitive or there will be a rush to the door.
To date, the Skymiles works for me.
As a DM, I earn a 125% bonus. That makes having to book Medium redemption very palatable.
I get upgraded most flights (ok, lets not talk MSP-ATL)
TSA-Pre saves me time
The DM line is great and very helpful
SDC has helped me out a number of times. I wish it extended (without fee) to other on the PNR but its their rules.
I don't think we will see any major improvement with this change.
Now if the program does stop working for me. Lets say they go to a 100 miles for $ exchange rate (which happens to be the typical for many of the credit card bank programs) and American or United are offering a better program for me, than I will switch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by blug
Especially because Skymiles' main benefit is domestic upgrade, and 'high value' guys either buy F, or expensive coach fares that enable them to trump 'low value' guys on the list anyway.
I honestly can't think of a single thing 'high value' guys are going to benefit from this. Maybe shorter wait time on the phone?
Those that applauded for this change, I believe, are probably because the changes so far have not yet affected themselves. But stay tuned. Skymiles will likely keep evolving. Let's see what they have to say when they earn 1 mile per $ spent, and need 300k miles for JFK-LHR in J.
In fact, MRs may be easier to find since some of the "low revenue generating Diamonds" may have moved to other carriers.
One of the interesting things about this thread has been a generally accepted view that DL will see fewer mileage runners after the introduction of MQDs. MQDs may actually have the opposite effect.
Medallions will now be shown two levels to aspire to, one based upon miles flown, the other by dollars spent. A friend of mine racks up about $4K in annual spend funded by his employer on business trips, but his mileage barely cracks the Silver level. He's already stated that he'll continue to fly MRs to attain Gold, in order to receive the much higher mileage bonus plus the other benefits Silvers don't get, if Gold benefits remain at least status quo.
What we don't know is how many others may be in that same position with a new incentive for racking up cheap MQMs staring them in the face to close that gap. It certainly is something I would heavily market to those in that situation, if I was Delta, using the same logic they currently employ for selling MQMs outright today.
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 595
Can't argue with that at all. Often real results will differ greatly from expected results. I (and everyone else here) are simply providing their best guesses on the expected results.
It will be interesting to look back in two or three years to see what the outcome is.
Is Delta still making a Billion dollars a year?
Are SkyMiles still SkyPesos or now Skygold or SkyPennies?
Is Delta bigger or smaller?
Who is in SkyTeam? Did any come over from OneWorld?
Did AA merge with US and how did it go?
Where did AA's ffers go? Skymiles, UA or stayed put?
Has UA righted itself and now eating Delta's lunch?
Will everyone drink New Coke or will we need to bring back Old Coke as Coke Classic?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AeroWesty
One of the interesting things about this thread has been a generally accepted view that DL will see fewer mileage runners after the introduction of MQDs. MQDs may actually have the opposite effect.
Medallions will now be shown two levels to aspire to, one based upon miles flown, the other by dollars spent. A friend of mine racks up about $4K in annual spend funded by his employer on business trips, but his mileage barely cracks the Silver level. He's already stated that he'll continue to fly MRs to attain Gold, in order to receive the much higher mileage bonus plus the other benefits Silvers don't get, if Gold benefits remain at least status quo.
What we don't know is how many others may be in that same position with a new incentive for racking up cheap MQMs staring them in the face to close that gap. It certainly is something I would heavily market to those in that situation, if I was Delta, using the same logic they currently employ for selling MQMs outright today.
Programs: W/P1.9MM & Charter+ DL Diamond 1.8MM, AA EXP 1.9MM, AS MVP .6MM, O/P .9MM, A/C & S/C
Posts: 287
Medallion Changes
Quote:
Originally Posted by longing4piedmont
In the millions. By simply jettisoning the 3G&G crowd that BRAG about how they earn DM or PM for just a couple of thousand of dollars, Delta without doing anything else will add millions to bottom line. Keep in mind that the pretenders are not even covering the raw cost of their flights. How you ask?
If DL can cut one pretender out of first class on every DL flight, that alone cuts millions a year in cost? How? Do you have any idea how much it cost to cater one single GLASS of Water on a flight in first? Wanna take a stab at it? I willing to bet you will not even be close. And we are talking water and not a shot of Woodford…….
Let’s take those same pretenders and talk about the cost of the free club membership? I can tell you that I’m not a big drinker, but in the course of year DL would not even come close to covering the cost of what I drink and eat in the course of a year EVEN if I was paying full price for the membership. Again multiply the number of pretenders that are going to lose just these benefits and you will quickly see how this will add to DL’s bottom line.
I'd place a bet that that number would have been far above another 1% if there had been the incentive to do so. My first mileage run was actually a segment run, flying two short flights to finish off earning a free r/t ticket in First. That was in 1982.
...
I remember that promo, but I believe it was for two FC tickets.
I flew PHL to BWI. Spent a few minutes in the old Flying Colonel room, and flew back to PHL to get my last two segments.
__________________ Bring decency back to DieMiles®. Don't let Anderson steal miles from widows and orphans. Fight the Delta Airlines 100% death tax! ... after all, you are going to die sometime.
Programs: DL No More, Hilton Gold, National Executive
Posts: 1,319
The spending requirements are easy of you travel international. the problem is for those of us who travel the leisure routes on weekends. Flights aren't long enough to earn enough dollars, and if you are flying to LA or SF the mileage outruns the dollar spend especially if you have to make a long connection. The flip side of that of course is that we are usually not competing during prime time for upgrades, either. I have not flown an flight with an empty F seat for a while, but certainly m,any of my flights are nto flying out completely full. So it is not like they are loosing paying customers.
Oh, I was reading some of the news items, and it looks like US, Sothwest, and Alaska have all beaten DL on Q4 results.
The spending requirements are easy of you travel international. the problem is for those of us who travel the leisure routes on weekends. Flights aren't long enough to earn enough dollars.
Perhaps we can work out a trade. I will give you the miles and MQMs that I earn if you will pay for my flights.
(Seriously, are you really complaining that you are not paying enough?)
