New to Delta -- Any challenges that don't require status match?
Dec 30, 2011, 12:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Athens, GA
Programs: DL SM, Marriott PM, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 166
New to Delta -- Any challenges that don't require status match?
Hello,
It's been awhile since I frequented FT. Years ago I lived in DFW and attained AA Platinum flying 2-3 times a week. Since then I've moved to Athens, GA and took a job that did not require travel. Last week I accepted a new job that will have me doing 3-4 RT a month out of either ATL or GSP to IND.
I'm curious if DL has any unpublished challenges for people like me without current status on any airline but who know they have a decent amount of business coming up in the future. I faxed in a copy of my current AA status showing a half million miles without any status and they replied back with a form letter saying to mail them a copy of my card.
If there is no challenge to be had I guess I'll just do it the hard way. I'll have to start out by flying out of ATL but after awhile I can add a segment by flying out of GSP. I guess I could also sign up for the Delta Reserve card to pick up 10,000 MQMs.
Any other suggestions for someone starting out with DL?
Thanks
It's been awhile since I frequented FT. Years ago I lived in DFW and attained AA Platinum flying 2-3 times a week. Since then I've moved to Athens, GA and took a job that did not require travel. Last week I accepted a new job that will have me doing 3-4 RT a month out of either ATL or GSP to IND.
I'm curious if DL has any unpublished challenges for people like me without current status on any airline but who know they have a decent amount of business coming up in the future. I faxed in a copy of my current AA status showing a half million miles without any status and they replied back with a form letter saying to mail them a copy of my card.
If there is no challenge to be had I guess I'll just do it the hard way. I'll have to start out by flying out of ATL but after awhile I can add a segment by flying out of GSP. I guess I could also sign up for the Delta Reserve card to pick up 10,000 MQMs.
Any other suggestions for someone starting out with DL?
Thanks
Dec 30, 2011, 1:16 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 10,187
yetter,
Welcome to the DL forurm. I do not know of any outright challenges that DL partakes in (others might). Look on the boards for some of the AMEX related deals for earning MQMs and status - it varies in addition to the Reserve card.
Good luck!
robin
Welcome to the DL forurm. I do not know of any outright challenges that DL partakes in (others might). Look on the boards for some of the AMEX related deals for earning MQMs and status - it varies in addition to the Reserve card.
Good luck!
robin
Dec 30, 2011, 9:54 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
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Posts: 4,081
DL offered some deals this year where pax could attain FO/GM status just by flying a couple r/t's. It may pop up again in a few months so keep your eyes open here.
Dec 30, 2011, 9:55 am
#5
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Dec 30, 2011, 10:01 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Posts: 4,081
Maybe so. Sorry, just remember lots of posts about them here. Maybe next year targeted, maybe not(?). Maybe only for DL AmEx card holders(?). Guess we will see next year, maybe around the time DL announces the 2012 changes to the Medallion program. 
Dec 30, 2011, 10:01 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Athens, GA
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Posts: 166
Dec 31, 2011, 12:30 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Northwoods
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 705
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of help to be had. If you do not have status on another airline there is no opportunity for challenge. You'll have to gain status the old fashioned way - earn it. As noted above, AMEX may help, however, so you may want to avail yourself of that option.
Welcome to the DL "family". Bookmark this forum and visit often - there are some very savvy frequent flyers (I don't consider myself in that number) who can teach you a lot. And even better, there is a tremendous amount of wit here!! (And I don't consider myself in that lot either!)
Welcome to the DL "family". Bookmark this forum and visit often - there are some very savvy frequent flyers (I don't consider myself in that number) who can teach you a lot. And even better, there is a tremendous amount of wit here!! (And I don't consider myself in that lot either!)
Last edited by Buckshot; Dec 31, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Dec 31, 2011, 8:10 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta PM, SPG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Amex Centurion, Delta Reserve
Posts: 45
They will match
My friend just moved from a Continental hub city to a Delta hub city, and he was a Platinum Elite with Continental. He faxed Delta his mileage statement, and Delta agreed that if he flew 30,000 miles in 90 days, they would grant him platinum on Delta. He did fly that, and they matched his status for 2011-2012.
Dec 31, 2011, 9:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: AA, DAL, blah, blah, blah...The usual.
Posts: 646
Fortunately, IND is a good city for Delta fliers. A shiny new Sky Club...(heck, a shiny new airport) and pretty good success rate for upgrades for lower status fliers. You'll quickly figure out which flights are PM heavy and which aren't. Also, DL flies very few RJs into IND...almost always two-cabin aircraft.
I made the jump from AA to DL when I moved to IND from DFW.
I was considering jumping back earlier this year, but decided not to.
I made the jump from AA to DL when I moved to IND from DFW.
I was considering jumping back earlier this year, but decided not to.
Dec 31, 2011, 9:19 pm
#12
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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My friend just moved from a Continental hub city to a Delta hub city, and he was a Platinum Elite with Continental. He faxed Delta his mileage statement, and Delta agreed that if he flew 30,000 miles in 90 days, they would grant him platinum on Delta. He did fly that, and they matched his status for 2011-2012.
Jan 1, 2012, 1:04 am
#13
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My friend just moved from a Continental hub city to a Delta hub city, and he was a Platinum Elite with Continental. He faxed Delta his mileage statement, and Delta agreed that if he flew 30,000 miles in 90 days, they would grant him platinum on Delta. He did fly that, and they matched his status for 2011-2012.
Jan 1, 2012, 12:46 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta PM, SPG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Amex Centurion, Delta Reserve
Posts: 45
Challenge yes, match I guess not
I apologize for my misleading title. I should also have explained that if you can show multiple elite memberships (one world, star alliance), they have matched in the past. With the devaluation of miles and of SM/GM status, they may even match those with just a single elite membership. If you know you're going to fly a lot, accept the "challenge." What's cool is that they gave my friend PM status in the mean time while he was attempting to fly the challenge miles. I guess I can safely call it a "temporary match, conditions apply; otherwise expect a challenge." Happy New Year
Jan 2, 2012, 4:56 am
#15
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instant DIAMOND status
Hello,
It's been awhile since I frequented FT. Years ago I lived in DFW and attained AA Platinum flying 2-3 times a week. Since then I've moved to Athens, GA and took a job that did not require travel. Last week I accepted a new job that will have me doing 3-4 RT a month out of either ATL or GSP to IND.
I'm curious if DL has any unpublished challenges for people like me without current status on any airline but who know they have a decent amount of business coming up in the future. I faxed in a copy of my current AA status showing a half million miles without any status and they replied back with a form letter saying to mail them a copy of my card.
If there is no challenge to be had I guess I'll just do it the hard way. I'll have to start out by flying out of ATL but after awhile I can add a segment by flying out of GSP. I guess I could also sign up for the Delta Reserve card to pick up 10,000 MQMs.
Any other suggestions for someone starting out with DL?
Thanks
It's been awhile since I frequented FT. Years ago I lived in DFW and attained AA Platinum flying 2-3 times a week. Since then I've moved to Athens, GA and took a job that did not require travel. Last week I accepted a new job that will have me doing 3-4 RT a month out of either ATL or GSP to IND.
I'm curious if DL has any unpublished challenges for people like me without current status on any airline but who know they have a decent amount of business coming up in the future. I faxed in a copy of my current AA status showing a half million miles without any status and they replied back with a form letter saying to mail them a copy of my card.
If there is no challenge to be had I guess I'll just do it the hard way. I'll have to start out by flying out of ATL but after awhile I can add a segment by flying out of GSP. I guess I could also sign up for the Delta Reserve card to pick up 10,000 MQMs.
Any other suggestions for someone starting out with DL?
Thanks
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltap...siness-flyers/