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-   Delta Air Lines | SkyMiles (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles-665/)
-   -   The Official Medallion Qualification Update Thread (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1428771-official-medallion-qualification-update-thread.html)

TomA Jan 17, 2013 8:41 am

Another reason to be happy that I haven't flown Delta in 25 years.

Didn't really think it was possible to make Skymiles any worse, but hey, kudos... they figured it out.

timmy83 Jan 17, 2013 8:41 am


Originally Posted by pbarnette (Post 20066539)
There is a link on the Medallion landing page. The summary of the changes is actually nicely done and there is a pretty comprehensive FAQ.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...n-program.html

FAQ make one thing apparent - it's very clear that they have been lurking in yesterday's forum.

SCEflyer Jan 17, 2013 8:41 am


Originally Posted by dieuwer2 (Post 20065943)
Question: If I fly 25,000 miles this year, will I be guaranteed FO until February 2015 or not?

That's my reading of it.

bubbashow Jan 17, 2013 8:41 am

Now the DYKWIAs may actually be somebody.

DLdweeb Jan 17, 2013 8:41 am

Time to set up an auto-forwarding PO Box in Tijuana.....

FlyDeltaJets87 Jan 17, 2013 8:42 am


Originally Posted by DelrayChris (Post 20066514)
I love the addition of spend thresholds because it will prune the DL SM program of those folks who make PM/DM flying on dirt cheap fares and who constantly expect upgrades and other benefits.

The thing that sucks for me - and for others I am sure - is that I spent $20,500 dollars with DL last year for 36,176 MQM's and 42 MQS's and am only an FO.

QUESTION FOR DwayneSkyMiles: Does DL have additional incentives for those of us in my situation?

Buy cheaper tickets? ;)

Not trying to be a smartass but what routes are you flying that you're only getting FO after spending $20K? I mean, your average segment is what, 861 MQMs at almost $500 PER SEGMENT. Seems like that's ridiculously expensive and you might as well just buy F or J off the bat. Is all of your travel really last minute?

aubreyfromwheaton Jan 17, 2013 8:42 am


Originally Posted by CJKatl (Post 20066369)
What an absolutely baseless assumption. Many of us use corporate cards for most of our travel, and my mortgage company, car loan company and neighborhood gas station do not take AmEx. Other than those things, I don't spend anywhere near $25k/year, nor could I possible even think of being that wasteful.

Having money and spending money are two very different things. People who appreciate the difference will likely not have $25k/year charge card spends without business travel, mortgage or car note payments.

I don't think $25k / year spending is chump change, nor do I think it's an irresponsible amount of spending.

It's basically just over $2000/month which very responsible people can spend on a cc pretty easily without being irresponsible or being super creative.

(utilities, groceries, gas, doctor visits, clothing, insurance, charitable donations...)

I just said that in this community on FT, I don't think it will affect too many people and also Delta wants to focus more on people that will spend more.

But I also think it will thin down families of elites. For a spouse and a kid to also get that kind of spend (MQD or cc) is an order of magnitude more difficult.

Can't have it both ways. Can't have short UG lists and be super easy to get status.

At least it's not until 2014, so people can decide what they want to do.

AA_EXP09 Jan 17, 2013 8:43 am


Originally Posted by rylan (Post 20065991)
Then show me where booking AF/KL tickets gets you MQDs. Oh wait, they don't. Sure there are some DL codeshares if you want a simple flight to AMS or CDG. Want a more complicated ticket or to go someplace else? DL.bomb isn't capable, but af/kl is... and then you don't get credit.

It's called interline. Even an inexperienced flyer would know about that...

Builderman Jan 17, 2013 8:44 am


Originally Posted by mtkeller (Post 20066538)
It shouldn't, unless you're travelling outside the zone covered by the JV. It can sometimes be tricky to ticket things on DL.dumb (surprise!) but phone agents should be able to grab whatever flights are required. You can even fly under the AF/KL numbers on 006 stock if need be.

Can the DL phone agents do TGV-operated AF codeshares to places like ZYR on 006 stock? I don't know of any OTA that can (though I haven't looked very hard since up until today that didn't matter).

sectflyer Jan 17, 2013 8:46 am

There is still quite some time between now and when the bulk of the changes begin. If some of the more legitimate complains get loud enough it is likely theat some adjustments can be made to the program. IMO. As a GM I am somewhat comfortable with what I am seeing. And am keeping an open mind on all of this.

bubbashow Jan 17, 2013 8:48 am


Originally Posted by FlyDeltaJets87 (Post 20066566)
Buy cheaper tickets? ;)

Not trying to be a smartass but what routes are you flying that you're only getting FO after spending $20K? I mean, your average segment is what, 861 MQMs at almost $500 PER SEGMENT. Seems like that's ridiculously expensive and you might as well just buy F or J off the bat. Is all of your travel really last minute?

Actually, A LOT of the short-segment midwest stuff is EXPENSIVE...has been since the NW days. Look at DTW-PHL, DTW-MKE, etc.

Deadtail Jan 17, 2013 8:48 am


Originally Posted by TomA (Post 20066549)
Another reason to be happy that I haven't flown Delta in 25 years.

Didn't really think it was possible to make Skymiles any worse, but hey, kudos... they figured it out.

Thanks for the contribution Tom.

AA_EXP09 Jan 17, 2013 8:49 am


Originally Posted by bubbashow (Post 20066096)
PB.....face it...this is a VERY-generous outreach by DL and provides the MOST-BASIC minimum spend.

If folks aren't reaching status with the outlined spend, there is NOTHING elite about their travel habits.

Yes there is as they spend a large account of time on DL planes.
Even CX with HKG regulated YQ and not exceptionally known for mistake fares I can get 8-9 CPM had I not bought an AONE6 through them and two I class tickets. (Net was about 14-15 CPM including these two items with the RTW based only on mileage/price only on CX metal)
On AA my net spend was <4300 but they were happy to take it for >125K EQM.
This is my first year of going for elite on DL thanks to PromoJP tickets but this will also be my last.
And, now I can say I have had experience with devaluations with them when telling people to avoid this airline.

DelrayChris Jan 17, 2013 8:50 am


Originally Posted by TomA (Post 20066549)
Another reason to be happy that I haven't flown Delta in 25 years.

:confused: And we care because?

pbarnette Jan 17, 2013 8:51 am


Originally Posted by Builderman (Post 20066588)
Can the DL phone agents do TGV-operated AF codeshares to places like ZYR on 006 stock? I don't know of any OTA that can (though I haven't looked very hard since up until today that didn't matter).

Both Orbitz and Expedia can book this for you.


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