The Official Medallion Qualification Update Thread
Jan 28, 2013, 12:53 pm
#2131
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
You are being told that in advance. You are not making "a mistake" when you get cheaper fares -- you are still getting the flights that you want. You simply will not get the status if your spend is not high enough.
I have the same choice, but mine starts with tickets I purchase after March 1 of this year. I will still be able to buy M fares, and if there is Z availability I will still be able to upgrade with SkyMiles or SWUs, but I will not get the 50% MQM bonus. For me, this means that I will not make Platinum, probably not make Gold, and might not even make Silver.
I will have the choice, however, of paying a few hundred dollars more for each flight and buying B fares instead.
I have to decide if the extra MQMs, and the higher status, is worth the extra money for me. I still have not come to any conclusion about that.
Jan 28, 2013, 1:18 pm
#2132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Of course I dont. What I am trying to say is that I am extremely confident that right now - I am earning my 2014 status. I can not see (of course I could be wrong) that there will be any significant changes this year that will affect what status we earn for 2014.
Jan 28, 2013, 1:30 pm
#2133
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: National Capitol Region
Programs: Delta Dirt Medallion,AA,USairways, WN Rapid Rewards, National Emerald Club
Posts: 3,912
Consumers have preferences, suppliers have a cost function. Money is green and Delta loves it all.
Jan 28, 2013, 1:31 pm
#2134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
personally... I don't see why Delta has a partnership with AMEX, most people they want to purge are the ones with their AMEX. I doubt they make much money from their AMEX customers. There are also many CCs out there that are just way better than Delta AMEX. Which brings me to wonder why so many people have that card with minimum reward seating. You take that card away, you significantly thin the Medallion status to those who barely spend money on Delta, barely spend interests to AMEX, but enjoy the MQM and exclusive accesses. Why punish those who actually spend money on Delta like the M fares and those that only get status base on actual MQM flown.
You can be gold with Hilton by simply having their credit card (second highest tier) and diamond (highest tier) but spending only $40K a year on their credit card.
I am Platinum with Hyatt by just having their credit card and I only spend a few nights with Hyatt a year.
IIRC, the USBank Northwest credit card gave mileage boosts. I am pretty sure all of the legacy credit cards give a free bag and priority seating to their credit card holders.
And as has been mentioned many times on FT, Am Ex gave Delta a huge cash inflow.
I don't think the rewards return is good at all on this card. I put the first $50K a year in credit card spending on this card to get the 20,000 MQMs and then the card goes in a drawer until January 1 of the next year. Seeing my Hilton visa gives me 5 pts/$ on all airline charges, I get a better return charging delta tickets on that card than I do the 2 miles/$ on the delta card.
Jan 28, 2013, 1:51 pm
#2135
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Skymiles PM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold#1
Posts: 77
2 questions about the new MQD rules:
- I never pay for tickets out of pocket. My company pays for them through the amex travel site. Am I screwed?
- The policy is to get the lowest fare class possible, and I have no control over that. Does this mean that even though I am platinum, I still don't get the bonus miles?
- I never pay for tickets out of pocket. My company pays for them through the amex travel site. Am I screwed?
- The policy is to get the lowest fare class possible, and I have no control over that. Does this mean that even though I am platinum, I still don't get the bonus miles?
Jan 28, 2013, 2:01 pm
#2136
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
Unless your company makes a deal with DL to pay less but without any miles being given, you should get the same bonus miles that you get today.
Jan 28, 2013, 2:02 pm
#2137
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 728
2 questions about the new MQD rules:
- I never pay for tickets out of pocket. My company pays for them through the amex travel site. Am I screwed?
Nope. These will count for you.
- The policy is to get the lowest fare class possible, and I have no control over that. Does this mean that even though I am platinum, I still don't get the bonus miles?
- I never pay for tickets out of pocket. My company pays for them through the amex travel site. Am I screwed?
Nope. These will count for you.
- The policy is to get the lowest fare class possible, and I have no control over that. Does this mean that even though I am platinum, I still don't get the bonus miles?
You will get all redeemable miles just like you do now.
At this point, the MQM has only changed on M fare tickets. There are rumors (only rumors!!) that SLUT fares MQM will be reduced in the future. If that happens your yearly MQM will drop and you light lose a elite level or two. I would as well. That might make me look for a different program.
Jan 28, 2013, 2:06 pm
#2138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Are your talking redeemable miles or MQM miles?
You will get all redeemable miles just like you do now.
At this point, the MQM has only changed on M fare tickets. There are rumors (only rumors!!) that SLUT fares MQM will be reduced in the future. If that happens your yearly MQM will drop and you light lose a elite level or two. I would as well. That might make me look for a different program.
You will get all redeemable miles just like you do now.
At this point, the MQM has only changed on M fare tickets. There are rumors (only rumors!!) that SLUT fares MQM will be reduced in the future. If that happens your yearly MQM will drop and you light lose a elite level or two. I would as well. That might make me look for a different program.
Jan 28, 2013, 2:59 pm
#2139
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Skymile DM, Marriott Platinum, PC Gold, Avis Chairman's Club, National EE
Posts: 728
Jan 28, 2013, 3:28 pm
#2140
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 42
Delta is a perfect example of an American corporation that:
Maximizing shareholder value instead of focused on the real world of customers and products. Making changes to satisfy investors and shape an imaginary path on how the company will perform in the future which in result strengthen their stock prices.
Maximizing shareholder value instead of focused on the real world of customers and products. Making changes to satisfy investors and shape an imaginary path on how the company will perform in the future which in result strengthen their stock prices.
Jan 28, 2013, 4:34 pm
#2141
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 198
I have not read every reply, but I have a question. I am a lowly FO spending over 10k per year. When I get the upgrade I don't drink booze. So based on what has been written and I am talking on average terms, I know there are many who spend more, but since I pay delta more and cost them less why should you be higher on the totem pole than me?
Jan 28, 2013, 4:42 pm
#2142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Because the person who forks out $7500 for that one Biz Elite itinerary is not going to be a Platinum. He is also not going to be a Gold. He might make Silver, depending on how long his itinerary is.
On the other hand, there are people who have flown over 75,000 miles on very inexpensive fares, paid $3000-$4000 for all their trips together, and become Platinum.
If you were Delta, which customer would you prefer? Conversely, those who are currently earning Platinum Medallion with these inexpensive flights are furious that this will not continue.
On the other hand, there are people who have flown over 75,000 miles on very inexpensive fares, paid $3000-$4000 for all their trips together, and become Platinum.
If you were Delta, which customer would you prefer? Conversely, those who are currently earning Platinum Medallion with these inexpensive flights are furious that this will not continue.
FFPs are not targeted at an airline's best customers who pay for the premium cabin and get all the perks through their ticket. They are targeted at an airline's second-best customers.
Jan 28, 2013, 7:10 pm
#2144
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 447
I had an Air France FF account and when i moved from Europe to the US, i kept using my Flying Blue FF# when flying on Delta. And then they suddenly changed the way you earned miles, and since I was purchasing my tickets using my corporate travel site (with discounted tickets), I got 25% of the miles I used to earn. Even once, I got 0% miles (with a paid ticket). So I stopped using my AF FF# and switched to a Delta one. I hope the same thing does not happen to Delta
Jan 28, 2013, 7:13 pm
#2145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
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