Originally Posted by
rucksack
People here like to harp on the semantic difference between “complimentary annual status” and “lifetime status” out of fear that Delta will remove the benefit. The wording of the former implies an “indefinite” timeframe (until some arbitrary point in the future). The wording of the latter implies a definite timeframe (for the rest of your lifetime). While I think it’s unlikely Delta would remove this benefit, these fears may not be so unfounded since Delta (and airlines in general) are continually removing benefits.
Separately, I think you only need $60,000 in spend to get the 40,000 bonus MQMs. I could be wrong but my understanding is that the spending for the sign-up bonus overlaps with the spending towards the annual bonuses.
They changed the wording over a decade ago. If the intent was to end the program, what are they waiting for? The reality is that if they were to simply end it, I have no doubt there would be mass defections and most likely a total meltdown on FT. It's not just those who already hit MM, think about all those DL flyers who are 1/2 or 3/4 of the way there and were expecting to get MM status? Not only would there be mass defections, but also likely class action suits. Just look at what happened when UA changed some benefits of their MM program. Completely ending the program goes way beyond that.