Skymiles rules changes for 2013 are here (at delta.com updates, details inside)
Jan 16, 2013, 1:03 pm
#136
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
Just as DL has made changes over the years, so can we. While I might stick with DL, my plan B is to fly whichever airline has the cheapest J fares overseas and go LCC domestic. People who are leisure travelers have a choice; spend more to keep DM or spend nothing at all with DL.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:05 pm
#137
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,303
This is exactly right. I wind up mostly on LUT, especially UT, fares with a CPM over 10 cents per mile. That's a big part of why the spend thresholds don't freak out me. Now if LUT fares start to earn fewer MQMs, then things are all sideways.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:06 pm
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
What contract are they breaching here? It seems to me the changes only affect purchases made nearly 45 days from now. A month and a half. How is that not advance notice, and plenty of it, too?
Jan 16, 2013, 1:08 pm
#139
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 90
Easy, the incentive is to hit $25,000 to get any status you got from MR. The question is, do you value DL status, not Skymiles, enough to spend the extra $X on your DL Amex or would you rather put that $X on another card. I honestly think people will put that $X on their DL card, or even sign up for a DL card and put $25,000 on it so they can still MR for Million Miler status, MR for any status, or continue their MQM rollover without flying the next year (for those super DMs out there) without worrying about these new rules.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:08 pm
#140
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
Yes, actually they thought precisely of people like you..no offense, but seriously, getting to DM with a $5K spend??? That's like someone taking two deeply discounted S fares from JFK to Europe a year, and qualifying for Diamond? Sorry, but a DM who only spends $5K a year probably costs Delta more money than Delta makes from that DM!
!!
!!
Jan 16, 2013, 1:10 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: now ZRH, previously DTW
Programs: DL-Diamond & 1MM; HH-Diamond; Marriott-Gold
Posts: 159
What if you fly a ST partner airline - does it then not count towards your spending requirement with Delta? That's terrible... how could ST possibly allow this? This is almost Delta forcing all its members to fly DL exclusively, no?
Thank goodness that I don't live in the states anymore! and at least for now it seems to only apply to US members
<phew...>
May be time to look into BA/AA especially since I already have Bronze with BA. But then, I still got 650,000+ delta miles to burn!
Thank goodness that I don't live in the states anymore! and at least for now it seems to only apply to US members
<phew...>May be time to look into BA/AA especially since I already have Bronze with BA. But then, I still got 650,000+ delta miles to burn!
Jan 16, 2013, 1:10 pm
#143
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Nashville
Programs: AA G; DL G
Posts: 75
I hope the spend related to companion travel is included in this new MQDs. DL receives more revenue because I politely encourage (a.k.a force) my wife to fly on DL when sometimes Southwest makes more sense.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:12 pm
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
Say I hit 126,000 MQM's a year which qualifies for DM, but my MQD is only at the GM figure (whatever that amount is), what level elite will DL consider me? Obviously not DM... Would it be PM or GM?
For me to earn 135,000 MQM a year and possibly only get to GM because of my low MQD, then just as DL makes changes to their policy, so will I (as to whom I fly).
For me to earn 135,000 MQM a year and possibly only get to GM because of my low MQD, then just as DL makes changes to their policy, so will I (as to whom I fly).
Jan 16, 2013, 1:12 pm
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Again, this all follows their clear policy of being disingenuous with their customers. Dropping immediately effective changes from the sky, announcing an exciting new corporate social media team who is both silent and effectively useless at disseminating information or helping with questions, and sharing with us through website leaks appear to be a part of their policy. I wish it wasn't like this, but it appears to be their means of interaction with paying customers. That said, I don't know if any of the other legacy carriers are better from this perspective (although I am ignorant towards their social presence)
Or, more appropriately, you can go to this site that as an audio clip identified as "Crickets, Georgia, U.S."
http://www.soundboard.com/sb/crickets_sounds_audio
Jan 16, 2013, 1:13 pm
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,204
I think the midwest segment flyers that spend $1K a week on 1000 MQM will be the one's that will benefit under this program. I think if someone can show a $25,000 spend on only 25,000 mqms, there will be leeway and a judgement call that can be made to put them into a higher-level.
Hopefully so....they are the folks keeping DL going....not the jacka$$ flying RT 12 times to Istanbul on a $520 fare.
Hopefully so....they are the folks keeping DL going....not the jacka$$ flying RT 12 times to Istanbul on a $520 fare.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:13 pm
#147
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 90
Just playing. Don't see DL including companion travel, justification would probably be that the loophole is already there with a DL card and to just put it there. Doesn't help for those who don't hit the thresholds though.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:14 pm
#148
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,543
If you pay for both you and your spouse's tickets, will that count for spend on your account?
Jan 16, 2013, 1:15 pm
#149
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
Jan 16, 2013, 1:16 pm
#150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
Guess I need to put my UK address on my account...I do live here.