Originally Posted by FederalFlyer (Post 20060715)

First, it ups the bonus from MQM 50% to 100% on paid FC. But I would suspect that those paying for FC are among the least likely to actually chase status... being as they get all the benefits of status with their paid FC ticket. So, on average, it rewards those that least care about being rewarded. Furthermore, I don't see how this incentivizes those that fly FC on a competitor to switch their loyalty to DL.

Originally Posted by flymanbeast (Post 20060415)

I am israeli so can i just say i live in israel to avoid some of the changes?

Originally Posted by The Mileage Millionaire (Post 20060959)

I like what I see, especially the $25k spend to wive the MQD requirement. I plan on doing that every year anyways for the 10k+ MQM. I alkso like the 100% for first. There are some excellent first-class MRs out there (for now anyway).

Originally Posted by javabytes (Post 20060956)

You (and I think many here) misunderstand the point of FF programs. FF programs are not for an airline's best customers. An airline's best customers buy paid F/J and get most of the benefits that an airline FFP offers: a seat up front, free checked bags, priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding, etc. No one's arguing these aren't extremely profitable customers for an airline. But they don't need an FFP to attract their business, and they don't fill planes.

FF programs are meant to attract an airline's second best customers. People who fly a lot, who buy coach fares, and who airlines want to turn into a steady, consistent revenue stream.

Originally Posted by happydad100 (Post 20060962)

I gift my wife Gold status as one of my benefits. She travels on cheap tickets, as my companion on my AMEX companion tickets, and on award travel. She'd never hit the MGD's required for Gold. I hope they have waive the MGD requirement for gifting ....

Happydad

Originally Posted by DL2SXM (Post 20060314)

So then did Delta think of what flyers like me will do who currently fly enough to earn at least 125K but who's spend threshold is low? If I know that I will only qualify for GM, or PM based on my MDS, then I will stop flying DL once I reach my MQM level and my MDS for that level and fly another airline. What inscentive do I have to stick with Delta between MDS levels if I know I will fall short of making DM?

Originally Posted by PNET (Post 20060384)

That's not how I understand it. Spend does NOT waive the MQM requirement.

Originally Posted by PNET (Post 20060291)

My problem is that if I buy five transcons in C for business (they average 3-3.5k each) and spend 15k but only fly 25k miles and earn 37.5k (with CoS MQM bonus) MQM, DL will still only give me silver.

Originally Posted by GRALISTAIR (Post 20060822)

I think you are probably correct. I class Istanbul on those fares as an MR - the goal should be to reduce MRs -or one of the goals anyway.

Originally Posted by happydad100 (Post 20060962)

I gift my wife Gold status as one of my benefits. She travels on cheap tickets, as my companion on my AMEX companion tickets, and on award travel. She'd never hit the MGD's required for Gold. I hope they have waive the MGD requirement for gifting

Originally Posted by 787fan (Post 20060898)

On one hand it makes sense - thin out the elite ranks by keeping hub-captive primarily business road warriors paying $500 for a 2.5 hr flight to XNA ...

On the other hand, it really discourages the leisure passenger from ever even attempting status. From NYC, 1 RT to HKG and 2 transcons is enough to hit 25K MQM, but if you're flying deeply discounted flights, you'll need 2 additional transcons to hit the same medallion tier. (random example assuming HKG is $1K and LAX-JFK are $375 apiece)

It would be a sad state if all the US legacies eventually move into this model.

Originally Posted by mrredskin (Post 20061024)

if you gift your wife gold every year, then why does it matter how many segments or MGDs she would accrue? you'd just gift it to here again the next year

Originally Posted by DLroads (Post 20059119)

Beginning January 1, 2014, SkyMiles members residing in the United States (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will qualify for Medallion status based on an additional threshold – the member’s annual spending with Delta, which will be measured by Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Members must also meet the existing Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) qualification criteria.
The threshold ranges from $2,500-$12,500 MQDs depending on Medallion level.
Alternatively, Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers can be waived from the new Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) requirement if they make at least $25,000 in Eligible Purchases within the calendar year.

Originally Posted by DiverDave (Post 20060865)

It may be best to leave it locked.

It's sad how little institutional memory exists on FT. LedgeT has provided a lot of accurate information over the years. His posts were corroborated with the descriptions in job postings. But that's all white-washed away. :rolleyes:

So LedgeT projects a future where earnings and redemptions are based on revenue. Delta accidentally leaks a near future in 2013 where medallion levels are tied to revenue. The near future includes some tweaking of how MQMs and RDMs are earned based on the fares and revenue, rewarding full F/J and penalizing M.

And the mob is delighted because don't you know it means that LedgeT is still wrong and the changes won't hurt them. Okay, except for the mob that wants the herd thinned which of course means thinning the herd down to themselves. That mob wants more.

It is sad that FT has devolved to the point where some members take huge delight in proclaiming other members to be wrong or even liars. I thought it had gotten bad when some members plainly think they are better than everybody else because they (or more typically their employer) pay for a seat in the front of an aircraft.

Makes me wish there were a Dilbert strip about frequent fliers. There's lots of material. :D

David

Originally Posted by DLroads (Post 20059119)

Alternatively, Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers can be waived from the new Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) requirement if they make at least $25,000 in Eligible Purchases within the calendar year.