I think that if you read the terms carefully, the double MQMs are on full fare J tickets, not the discounted S or I fare classes. Similarly on the domestic side... I am betting that P and A fares do not get double MQMs.

Agree. Not being based in the US, the MQD do not affect me but the reductions in non-JV partner Skyteam MQMs effective March 1 probably mean I'll be looking at the other alliances when booking all my international travel this year.

A good chunk of my travel was on P fares for under 10c/mqm also. Note that the new baseline isn't just 10c, it is more like 11-12c since some taxes are not included.

EDIT: Actually, for some routes the taxes can be a substantial part of the ticket... so depending on what they count as a tax, you can end up only getting 750 MQDs for a $1500 intl ticket.

Correct, double only on full F or J. If you're paying 12k+ for a intl J ticket then you're probably not too concerned about benefits like upgrades on domestic.

No kidding. Delta sucks. I don't live in a hub and still fly them because I'm almost 1MM. It's enough of this crap, seriously.

That is correct; 200% MQM earn applies to Delta-marketed tickets purchased on/after 01MAR13 in F/J fare classes, as stated on delta.com:

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ith-delta.html

So if you realistically want to make Platinum, you are going to have to buy fares in the higher buckets. Isn't this what they used to do? And didn't it fail on them back then? C an someone explain to me, other than the having to have a good enough credit score to qualify for an exception through AMEX, how this is any different?

Indeed how about Asia based passengers? How will SWUs be affected?

At my current travel rate, I'm about 3-4 years from 2MM. That was my goal -- "Annual Gold" (which means ST Elite Plus and lounge access on international).

I figured things would change before then, but I was hoping not too much. Silly Rabbit :)

Actually I've been thinking about this... the new 'sweet spot' will be up around 120k MQMs, holding just short of DM. You get almost 50k rollover, and that lowers your effective spend per mile requirement as well so you can be well under that 10c target, or whatever it is without the taxes.

I am still confused, if I am buying e.g. an AF ticket with Delta flights (or flights under a DL flight number and operated by another ST member), will I earn MQD? The FAQ makes it sound like this is the case, but it is confusing, what if only 1/2 the flights are on Delta, will the full ticket price count?

The non-JV partner earnings are a disgrace. Big :td: to Delta for this.

Lowers the spend requirement? :confused:

The good news, you would have 45K MQM's rollover so a mere 30K will get you back to Plat. The bad news, you will still need 7,500 MQD so those 30K will have to be pretty expensive seats.

Of course, the end around is via AmEx spend but if you meet that anyway, then the future will be no different than the present.

OMG I am sure glad I got a Plat Delta Amex

Swell.

I travel on my own dime to maintain my many years as PM and pay out around $3000 for 75,000 mqms. With a huge balance in my account I maintain PM to get the benefits of ticket changes. Now I see the program as geared to the business traveller who has an expense account to pay for travel or those well off enough to pay for higher fare travel.

I have not read this entire thread but wonder if the certs I get for getting bumped will count towards the $7500 I need to spend? (Probably not)

Therefore my only alternative is to meet the Amex spend which may be possible until they change what counts for credit at amex ...

Makes me want to gag that much more when I am forced to watch the "Anderson" video before the safety video on every flight. (At least it is not that arrogant "I get to sit at his desk every daaay.")

So happy I recently bought the 3 yr club membership ...

Time for a staus match to AA and/or United.

I meant it'll cost you less per mile so you can do some MRs to bump up the MQM for rollover. For example you can do 120k for 7500 and its 6.25cpm... but yes the $7500 total spend *before taxes* is still required. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the taxes and fees exclusion is going to push the actual out of pocket cost way higher.