This is a serious blow to Skyteam. For instance, if you buy an AF or KL ticket on their stock it will NOT earn MQDs.
Actually this makes sense in terms of DL's ability to track how much has been spent without relying on partners to report it accurately in addition to miles.
__________________
Check out the new External Miles and Points Resources forum.
What about the re-issue to 074 when an EU-based FF is hit with a schedule change? What about the AFKLM connecting flights that we are advised to book directly wit AF because DL cannot ticket it?
__________________ DL '12 SEG'S 38 MQM 137000 CO|UA '12 EQM 2000 - Loyalty should go both ways but DL is trying the one way street on me.
Actually this makes sense in terms of DL's ability to track how much has been spent without relying on partners to report it accurately in addition to miles.
It's a major hit for those of us who use routes that can't be ticketed on DL stock (e.g. AF's TGV codeshares to nearby European cities). Also given the best-in-class IT the TATL JV has I would strongly prefer to be on the operating carrier's ticket stock when something goes wrong.
I think this is going to bring a major war between Alaska and DL elites.
Why? Because AS elites do not have a MQD requirement and thus it is more "valuable" than toiling to be a DL elite by trying to hit MQD spend.
Can you imagine talking to a AS FO sitting in the DL exit row while you are DL FO with 50,000 MQMs because you didn't spend $5K that year??
Surprise, better not book a codeshare flight on other stock or you get screwed! Sucks for those who actually book expensive tickets on ST partners to Asia or EU, or who are forced into a 074 ticket due to a schedule change.
Also note that 'ancillary purchases' do NOT count to spend
Quote:
No. Ancillary purchases or fees including but not limited to checked baggage fees, Economy Comfort™ seat purchases, Priority Boarding, Delta Sky ClubŪ memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage purchases, in-flight entertainment, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, Mileage Booster™, ticket change fees, Direct Ticketing Charge (DTC), Same Day Confirmed Fee, Administrative Service Charge (ASC), External Reissue Charge (ERC), and Standby Upgrades purchased at the gate, do not count toward earning MQDs
In many ways, the rules for calculating MQDs are similar to how CO handled the spend requirement for their short-lived Presidential Platinum level.
And it isn't terribly different from the way BA, for example, manages their minimum "qualifying flight" requirement, though the minimum spend is certainly higher. The allowance for other flights if booked on DL stock - not just codeshares - is actually a pleasant surprise to me.
All in all, I don't see this as a huge blow. There are some folks that will be caught out, but this seems a reasonable response to DL's need for the FF program to actually reward, you know, spending with DL.
The updates have been added to delta.com. Information about the changes to MQMs earned can be found at http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ith-delta.html and more information regarding MQDs can be found at www.delta.com/mqds. These updates were published a few minutes ago. Most of your questions are answered in the FAQs section on the MQDs page. I have noticed some questions in the tread started yesterday that are not addressed. I am working on getting those added to the page.
All in all, I don't see this as a huge blow. There are some folks that will be caught out, but this seems a reasonable response to DL's need for the FF program to actually reward, you know, spending with DL.
Not counting AF/KL ticketed TATL flights is a pretty big blow. The exact same amount of money goes to DL either way due to the JV, but ticket on non-DL stock for whatever reason and you lose big.
