Originally Posted by
avflyer
This makes sense and it might just work. Had they done something less, things like priority baggage handling would have been spotty depending on where you flew.
For those that are questioning the $$$ spend selection process, from the read I am taking on this, $$$ spend actually has little to do with status and sitting in the front cabin. I think the earlier reference to $ spend was simply acknowledging Gold on up that spend more.
FWIW, FO's are taking it in the shorts as this looks like a re-alignment of benefits for GM+ with the addition of some added bonuses.
The number of Medlallions who spend less far exceeds those who spend 50k to 100k per year. If the total revenue from Medallions with medicore spending within a level far exceeds that from those who spend on premium fares, the amount one spends with the airline would mean nothing. It's not what each one spends, but it's the total amount people with certain characteristics spend collectively that matters. A person spending 5k-10k from his own pocket is far likely to remain a customer that who spends 50-100k of his company dine. Once the high spender switches jobs, they might be not flying at all or spending far less. Therefor, Delta cannot afford to lean too heavily in either direction. It cannot afford to alienate rank and file of Gold/Platinum/Diamond medallions any more than it can the high spenders.