EXISTING MILES CONVERSION: how will it work for 2015 program updates?
Mar 2, 2014 | 10:53 pm
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,128
RDM = Redeemable Delta Miles or ReDeemable Miles
MQM = Medallion Qualifying Miles
Delta's new scheme slashes the ability of most flyers to EARN lots of RDM's.
Delta has not said what happens to our ability to SPEND the RDM's except to say that low 25,000 "mile" domestic awards are not going away. Most people don't expect good news with the new 2015 mileage redemption charts are published this fall.
MQM's do not change. The way you earn and keep elite status does not change.
So, effectively we fly miles to get status and we get these new mystery "miles", which are just points for redemptions.
MQM = Medallion Qualifying Miles
Delta's new scheme slashes the ability of most flyers to EARN lots of RDM's.
Delta has not said what happens to our ability to SPEND the RDM's except to say that low 25,000 "mile" domestic awards are not going away. Most people don't expect good news with the new 2015 mileage redemption charts are published this fall.
MQM's do not change. The way you earn and keep elite status does not change.
So, effectively we fly miles to get status and we get these new mystery "miles", which are just points for redemptions.
Mar 3, 2014 | 12:11 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 2MM
Posts: 3,637
Yes, fares that are "V" and up still earn at least 100% MQM's on the miles flown.
There is an "E" fare that is supposed to be for consolidators that doesn't earn MQM's. What you book on Delta.com will still be 100% MQM earning -- with certain odd exceptions involving overseas codeshares. Again, none of this is a part of the other recent changes that slash redeemable miles.
Mar 3, 2014 | 5:42 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Sadly, we have to use the qualifier 'today' because we don't know if this will change as well. No insider info here but won't be surprised if this is the next shoe to drop before the end of the year.
Mar 3, 2014 | 6:02 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, SPG PPG
Posts: 81
Sure, tier 5 will cover the entire Delta schedule while 1-4 will only cover flying on Thanksgiving and Christmas day w/ a mandatory layover in ATL. It'll just cost 500k to go ATL-MCO one way in Y. You can definitely use the miles easier b/c there's so many options...you just won't have any miles left.
Burning all your miles isn't hard...burning them in a way that you consider a value is a different story and actually reducing the # of miles it takes to go somewhere would cost them a lot of otherwise revenue generating capacity which is something they're not in the habit of doing.
Burning all your miles isn't hard...burning them in a way that you consider a value is a different story and actually reducing the # of miles it takes to go somewhere would cost them a lot of otherwise revenue generating capacity which is something they're not in the habit of doing.