Is 4 million "BIS" miles and complimentary Platinum status really achievable?
Mar 15, 2007, 4:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDM
Programs: RDM AS 100K - 1MM / DL DM - 3MM / Marriott Ambassador - Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 352
Is 4 million "BIS" miles and complimentary Platinum status really achievable?
I am coming up on the 2 million mile mark and "complimentary Gold" status. Time to think of the next level!!! The first million miles came quickly and the second million took almost twice as long with the "BIS" rules. To reach 4 million miles would take 10 more years at 200,000 miles per year.
Are there lots of medallions with a realistic chance of making the 4 million mile mark in their lifetime?
Also, (selfishly) should a Platinum with a million miles or more have any advantages over a first time Platinum?
Are there lots of medallions with a realistic chance of making the 4 million mile mark in their lifetime?
Also, (selfishly) should a Platinum with a million miles or more have any advantages over a first time Platinum?
Mar 15, 2007, 5:10 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
I am coming up on the 2 million mile mark and "complimentary Gold" status. Time to think of the next level!!! The first million miles came quickly and the second million took almost twice as long with the "BIS" rules. To reach 4 million miles would take 10 more years at 200,000 miles per year.
Are there lots of medallions with a realistic chance of making the 4 million mile mark in their lifetime?
Also, (selfishly) should a Platinum with a million miles or more have any advantages over a first time Platinum?
Are there lots of medallions with a realistic chance of making the 4 million mile mark in their lifetime?
Also, (selfishly) should a Platinum with a million miles or more have any advantages over a first time Platinum?
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
Mar 15, 2007, 5:25 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: He who dies with the most miles wins!!
Programs: WorldPerks Demoted again to SE, DL 3.1MM Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 11,674
Here in the Delta forum, it is well known that we have at least one poster who is a 5 million miler. I'm sure there are others who have even more.
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
I quit at 3MM plus
Mar 15, 2007, 5:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: BNA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Diamond, *wood plat, UA 1kc
Posts: 921
Here in the Delta forum, it is well known that we have at least one poster who is a 5 million miler. I'm sure there are others who have even more.
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
I think many (not all, I am sure) of the muli-million milers on here can credit a good portion of their miles to the days where non-"BIS" miles were counted toward MM status. Sure, there are some folks who frequent weekly/bi-weekly BE flights to Europe that can do it, but the numbers will surely fall off as time passes.
Mar 15, 2007, 5:58 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDM
Programs: RDM AS 100K - 1MM / DL DM - 3MM / Marriott Ambassador - Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 352
Here in the Delta forum, it is well known that we have at least one poster who is a 5 million miler. I'm sure there are others who have even more.
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
It is attainable.
As for a million miler plat having advantages over a freshly minted plat, Delta answered that question for you with the 'White Envelope'. It's a yes, they are more important.
What is the 'White Envelope'?
Mar 15, 2007, 6:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
I think with the new rules, only diehard, every week, lots of TATL or TPAC type flyers can ever achieve 4MM. Certainly doable if you start traveling heavily at a young enough age.
But as someone who started flying DL only 2 years ago, and about to hit 0.5MM, I am quite sure I will end up divorced if I keep up this heavy of a travel schedule for the 14 more years it would take to hit 4MM at my current pace.
But as someone who started flying DL only 2 years ago, and about to hit 0.5MM, I am quite sure I will end up divorced if I keep up this heavy of a travel schedule for the 14 more years it would take to hit 4MM at my current pace.
Mar 15, 2007, 6:21 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: PHL
Posts: 877
To put it in perspective, if you've flown half a million miles in the past two years, your average speed over that period of time was 28.5 mph, not counting any other form of travel. Impressive...
Mar 15, 2007, 6:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Atlanta
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Silver, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 3,656
Yes, traveling over 4MM is very achievable. Its easier now then ever with DL international expansion and codeshare partners.
Mar 15, 2007, 6:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Atlanta
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Silver, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 3,656
Mar 15, 2007, 6:58 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
This is the reason that I think that DL should count all miles. I will be MM in late spring/early summer this year...all of it BIS...well, except for stray extra MQMs for A fares. I really have no desire to set a goal for 2 MM. Under the old rules, I would already be 2 MM AND I might have some desire to go for 4 MM. Plus, I would be more inclined to wrap up other programs in Delta miles. I take double Hilton points...and points in all other hotel programs. I don't need more SkyMiles and there is no incentive for me to collect more. I have a balance that ought to last a while.
Mar 15, 2007, 7:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: VPS
Programs: DL DM/2MM, Etihad Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 4,787
Mar 15, 2007, 7:50 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,956
I am slightly jaded as a newcomer regarding MM and BIS miles. I can hardly imagine hitting 1MM BIS much less any more. It's just plain unfair <stomping around>
Anyway, I don't think it is achievable anymore, except for an incredibly select few.
Anyway, I don't think it is achievable anymore, except for an incredibly select few.
Mar 15, 2007, 7:53 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
What the real problem is that the field is uneven....from those who got most of their miles the old way that those newbies after it the BIS way.
Mar 15, 2007, 7:58 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: VPS
Programs: DL DM/2MM, Etihad Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 4,787
