I don't have any animosity towards any group of passengers, period. I've certainly never expressed any here. And I never complain about "stolen" upgrades, or folks getting in the way during boarding, or really anything similar.

The only thing approaching animosity I have is toward those that post incorrect information and those that question the motives of other posters.

The following is if the new system manages to thin the elite ranks. I personally wish DL would DOUBLE the spend amount to TRULY thin the herd: The benefit is that those paying the freight won't be slowed down in the Elite Security lines because there will be fewer elite members trying for the same benefit. Though I have never had difficulties obtaining awards, there will be more available, because there will be fewer gaining bonuses that are not financially-deserved. If fake Diamonds are knocked out of the equation, SkyClubs should be a bit-more manageable. They won't contribute .10 per mile revenue, why would they buy membership? If PM and GM are knocked down to FO, there will be less pressure on premium seating, or Int. Economy Comfort when I travel. I'm hoping that once revenues are up in F, there will be an improvement in F. It may happen, it may not.

Basically, EVERYTHING that y'all are in knots about losing will be better when the fakers (defined as those that CAN'T or WON'T meet the threshold spend) aren't there anymore. Those of us that can and will contribute should have a better experience.

Next year is a different story, and I'll evaluate the options at the end of this year and go with the best deal.

Rylan...that is the MOST-SENSIBLE thing you have typed from the beginning of this thread

People need to stop posting incorrect information. That includes half-baked conspiracy theories about coordination between posters. It is unproductive to the conversation and makes you look like an idiot.

...and my argument (and DL's for that matter) is that if you aren't meeting the spending threshold, you really aren't Diamond. By today's definition you are, but by next year's, you aren't. Rules change.

actually, PB has disagreed with me on a few points. LOL...I've even been accused of working for DL.

I think that is the main part where we disagree. I just don't see things getting any better. DL will still be actively selling and pushing FCM, so upgrades aren't going to improve, and anybody can still buy EC... so I don't see that changing either. If you get knocked down to FO from PM, are you going to pay for EC?

I don't see the mileage award situation improving any either.

:rolleyes: Here we go again.

This is how the unfortunate "Stand Your Ground" laws work. You have a right to stand your ground, then the prosecution has to show you were not actually standing your ground. This is different than most murder charges, where the prosecution has to show you took the life of another, yadda, yadda, yadda.

"Stand Your Ground" is a license to kill, as the Zimmerman case is proving.

Let's leave the off topic crazy talk for another thread, please :rolleyes:

Thanks, I can see where you're coming from. The swollen ranks are making it difficult to obtain the benefits DL says you deserve.

I've always thought that DL made a mistake creating Diamond as they did in the first place. They should have gone with an invitation-only program such as UA GS or AA CK. There will always be a gulf between big spenders and big mileage types. DL has let both flavors into the top rank. Now they have to deal with that mistake in a way that is upsetting a lot of folks, after already upsetting those who feel, like you I'm gathering, that the lower-revenue folks are getting in the way of rewarding true high-value spend.

The mistake I believe DL is making is that now they're putting a spend limit on every medallion level rather than simply adjusting the benefits at the lower levels. I think UA revamped MP a bit better, such as limiting Silvers to selecting Y+ seats until check-in, rather than booting them from it entirely if they didn't meet a spend level. Volume business is still a form of loyalty.

What remains to be seen is if MQDs will really thin the herd. I'm guessing it won't thin it enough to make a difference, given that there's an AMEX back door and that DL has sold MQMs. It would be hard for them to break from that dose of crack every year.

No. These rights are spelled out the law. I quoted the NY Law. You do not have a right to service in a restaurant, the restaurant has a right to limit service. That right is total, but cannot be exercised in what the law defines as a discriminatory manner.

It's similar to our Constitution. States maintain all rights, but for those specifically given the Federal Government in the Constitution.

Will do. It just always bothers me when people don't have an understanding of fifth grade civics.

DL and others currently track lifetime miles. I assume (it would make sense and be logical) to start to track lifetime spend IMHO.

And I have posted more than once is this thread that MQDs are not necessarily my primary concern, but rather four primary parts of the landscape that have changed which together create obstacles that may have not been intended by DL. Over 90% of my travel is international which mostly means Europe but includes three runs to Asia this year.