Originally Posted by
Adelphos
While I have sympathy for many that have lost status due to changing business conditions around Covid, Delta made many choices during the pandemic (unlimited rollover, boosting MQM earnings for those that were traveling, adding MQM earnings for award tickets) that resulted in some travelers and entirely new categories of travelers gaining new status in 2021 and 2022. If Delta is trying to cut down on elites, these members with new status need to be balanced out with those trying to regain status with a Reclaim My Status claim. In this environment, it is hard to imagine Reclaim My Status will be successful for those that stopped traveling because their businesses stopped traveling or their work circumstances somehow changed. Delta is likely looking a those changes as permanent at this point. In contrast, elites that flew in 2021 and 2022 seem more likely to continue flying.
As an addendum, looking at the other airlines, I doubt United is really dealing with a meaningful amount of elites with new or upgraded status. American I am less sure of given how they changed their program. But I would guess because of rollover, Delta had more new or upgraded members than any other majors.
You make some good points about not everyone who lost or reduced status level should be going for it unless they are going to achieve it and retain that level in the future years. I may be wrong, but I doubt anyone who will not be able reach the required MQD/MQM for the requested status will apply to reclaim such status. The reclaim the status is only temporary for 3 months and comes with no choice benefits. Just a temporary status while the applicant meets the minimum MQD and MQM during those 3 months. There is 0 risk for Delta, if anything they are happy if a former Medallion member is going to again aim to spend $xx. It is a retention strategy, with little or no cost to Delta. I would not have applied if I did not think I would easily attain my former status. That said, now that the Delta Amex $25k spend has been increased for DM, the Diamond medallions numbers may reduce somewhat. With the $25k spend remaining for Platinum medallions, PM will be at the same rate.