Originally Posted by
pbjag
I’m thinking about it. Recently retired as a 2 million miler, but close to 3MM. Would have hit 3MM before retiring if not for the pandemic - but there was no incentive to do so. Now 3MM would give me perpetual Diamond and the GUCs would be useful since my travel schedule is now flexible.
So is it worth making a push to rack up some MQMs before year-end to close the gap?
You are at 2.8MM
Every way you look at it it is well worth it for the card MQMs - 2$ spend gets you 1 MQM and the 2$ spend is a lost cash of 4c cash back
So cost of 200MQM today from cards is that of 400k spend = 400x2% = 8000$ cost - less 1c value of miles (400k = $4000) so about 4k
From next year you will start gettig GUCs each year worth at least 1k x 4 yrs ahead of your flying option
Net cost close to zero.
Actual flying cost 15-20c a mile in future; and they will only count BIS
- so the cost of future 200k miles from travel will be minimum $30K spend - less value of 200k miles = 2500$ = about $27500
But of course the joy you get from travel is incalculable and it may just take you 3-4 yrs to get there instead of next year
and you will not be getting the GUCs in that time etc etc
........
Amex and Delta will be fooled this year into thinking the sudden boost in spend is due to people being happy with new plans
In reality I foresee a huge Q4 spike for DL Amex spend due to all this planning for lifetime MQM
- followed by a lot of card cancels and downgrades next year as spend becomes less valuable to many people for lifetime MQMs.
- I would rather get 5X amex points for airfare than worry about DL Amex spend