Skymiles rules changes for 2013 are here (at delta.com updates, details inside)
Jan 16, 2013, 1:53 pm
#181
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 762
Gifting Gold/Silver Thought
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
Happydad
Jan 16, 2013, 1:53 pm
#182
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: DL Silver
Posts: 110
Wonder if taxes/fees would be included in the "amount of $ spent with Delta."
Just ran my numbers out of curiosity. Last year, I flew 23,000 miles (I only remained an FO because of rollover), while spending $2869.31. $2492.42 was in "fares", the remaining $376.89 in taxes and "carrier-imposed fees."
Just ran my numbers out of curiosity. Last year, I flew 23,000 miles (I only remained an FO because of rollover), while spending $2869.31. $2492.42 was in "fares", the remaining $376.89 in taxes and "carrier-imposed fees."
Jan 16, 2013, 1:54 pm
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,202
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.
That makes me agree with your comments even more... if a pax is paying 10k+ for an intl J ticket, they are also likely to be flying whoever provides the best service and schedule, not based on airline loyalty.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:55 pm
#184
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,928
For me, the spend would not be a problem even if I had to pay it. I reached Platinum this year with a $9000 spend. What will hurt me is losing the 50% bonus for M fares. With luck, I might make Gold.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:57 pm
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Keep in mind it is F and J class only. Seemingly not discounted classes like P, A, C, D, S, or I.
Jan 16, 2013, 1:58 pm
#186
Join Date: Mar 2004
Programs: DL PM, DL MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG
Posts: 804
Will the new and improved website show my Delta spend, along with my MQMs and MQSs?
Jan 16, 2013, 1:58 pm
#187
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL FO/KM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,594
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.
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.
Like I said, I don't know if I agree with it, but there may be some truth to it. Of course the counter argument is the non-frequent flyer (or at least non-Elite) won't buy the higher fare; they'll just go elsewhere to find a cheaper fare.
Jan 16, 2013, 2:00 pm
#188
Join Date: Mar 2004
Programs: DL PM, DL MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG
Posts: 804
Never mind.....
Last edited by cmh flyer; Jan 16, 2013 at 2:03 pm Reason: Post deleted
Jan 16, 2013, 2:00 pm
#189
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
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
Jan 16, 2013, 2:02 pm
#190
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
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?
But it would waive the MQD requirement.
And people who end up booking T fares take those fares out of inventory and make others buy higher-class fares.
Unless you're talking about some Miller Genuine Draft requirement ....
Jan 16, 2013, 2:02 pm
#191
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
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.
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.
Jan 16, 2013, 2:02 pm
#192
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 281
On the other hand, the value of the DM amenity may increase in CC...
Jan 16, 2013, 2:03 pm
#193
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
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.
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.
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Jan 16, 2013, 2:03 pm
#194
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
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.
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.
David
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.
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.
David
At least the once per week "LedgeT was wrong" post will sound a bit more vindictive here.
Jan 16, 2013, 2:08 pm
#195
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Back your regularly scheduled program...