Originally Posted by FlyDeltaJets87

Exactly! This is targeting the Medallions who get status almost entirely through cheap Mileage Runs, and subsequently, take away upgrades and benefits from lower-tier Medallions, even if those lower-tier Medallions spend a heck of a lot more. I don't think Delta cares when people do an MR or two to bump up to the next level, but there are people who make doing MRs for pennies a lifestyle, and ultimately, these people are costing Delta more than they're bringing in. The people in that boat don't like hearing that necessarily, but that's the way it is. The only case those people have is they can argue that by buying cheap fares, they're still forcing others to buy higher fares or "buying a seat that would go unused" but that argument only goes so far. The point of the revenue requirement is to ensure that you're bringing in enough revenue to DL to justify the benefits you're receiving.

Now I'm glad AA is offering status challenges still. I'm planning to do one over the summer when I fly AA in F for my honeymoon so I can have status on two airlines, especially since with government travel, I don't always get a choice in the airline I fly and will be nice to have the status on AA if/when I'm required to fly AA.