Originally Posted by
DCAproducer
This is a long thread and I've had some time to consider my situation and have come to a few conclusions...
I've been a PM for the past 15 years. I always hold short of anything that would get me to DM. Even during 2020 I had already qualified for PM for 2021 before all of the COVID MQM measures put in place. End of this year I'll have about 125k MQM to convert to MQD under the new program. That gets me 12,500 MQD and my DL Reserve would get me another 7,500 if I decide to go for the 75k threshold. This is even before stepping on a plane.
For the SkyClub I have the DL Reserve and AMEX Plat, and I won't have any issue passing the $75k annual spend on each card for unlimited SkyClub access. However, I have an Executive Membership because I often travel with colleagues and clients and I'll likely keep this for that reason.
PM will be easy to get for 2025 and unless something crazy happens with SkyClub membership prices, I'll still have that as well in 2025.
The real question becomes what happens in 2026. I'll say this, once I hit DL status I'll definitely buy tickets elsewhere. I'm not hub captive and I can easily hop on another carrier. I often buy F fares, so I'll spend more time shopping for the best options instead of staying loyal just to DL. Because of my CC spend, I'll likely rely less on flying to hit status with DL and more on just spend. I think there will be a big change in the Medallion ranks in 2025, so it's too soon to tell how that will impact the Medallion experience. To me, the free bags, C+, seat selections, IROPS, Skyteam Elite+ all still have value. It will be interesting to see if that holds true.
You seem to fit the new Delta mold to a T. You have both CC's, spend 75K and also have a Executive Membership. You are in the bunker while the rest of us are upstairs huddled in the bathroom closet wondering where the tornado is.
For the majority of people like me who are employees this is just another dagger in the back of traveling for work. It seems to me since 2019 I have had to fight for the little crumbs.. ie getting unlimited access to the SkyClub with the Reserve Card was really my last crumb. Most households in America are not spending $75,000 a year on the ole Credit Card. The majority of us road warriors never have the option to purchase J on a domestic flight, thats why crumbs make life somewhat enjoyable. My rollover and segments are gone forever. 10 visits a year? For crying out loud. If I am flying to Chicago via Atlanta I can do 4 SkyClub visits in one trip. 2 ATL layovers, 1 ORD departure and 1 ORD arrival. 2.5 trips and I am done visiting a SkyCulb for the whole year!
Who cares anymore to be honest. It is all so tiresome.
Edit I am a recent MM on Delta...I can tell you being "3rd" on the upgrade list provides me NO confidence at all of getting upgrades. I am PM with a reserve card currently and struggle to even see my name on the upgrade list.