Platinum vs. Diamond
Apr 29, 2013, 8:34 pm
#151
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,227
If you don't like free sky club membership, much higher UG % and additional miles, by all means stay PM.
I wish I had $1 for every time this thread is started.
I wish I had $1 for every time this thread is started.
Aug 20, 2013, 12:06 pm
#152
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium, , Delta 2MM & DM UA Gold
Posts: 299
Another Platinum vs. Diamond Question
Recently Moved to MFR this year. I could qualify for Diamond if I want, or I could stop 5k short and have almost 45k rollover miles.
I typically fly MFR-SLC and get upgraded as a Plat 95% of the time. I get upgraded about 80% of the time out of SLC. WHen I fly into PDX, I get upgraded about 75% of the time.
What are the true benefits of me getting the Diamond -- I get the club paid for already, and I am wondering if it is really worth trying to go for it. Next year I will not hit the 125k, but somewhere between 60 and 80k.
One other question -- as a diamond, how often do people get upgraded on either SEA-JFK or LAX-JFK?
Any thoughts are appreciated
I typically fly MFR-SLC and get upgraded as a Plat 95% of the time. I get upgraded about 80% of the time out of SLC. WHen I fly into PDX, I get upgraded about 75% of the time.
What are the true benefits of me getting the Diamond -- I get the club paid for already, and I am wondering if it is really worth trying to go for it. Next year I will not hit the 125k, but somewhere between 60 and 80k.
One other question -- as a diamond, how often do people get upgraded on either SEA-JFK or LAX-JFK?
Any thoughts are appreciated
Aug 20, 2013, 12:09 pm
#153
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Normal advice would be that if you're happy with upgrade stats, stay at PM and keep rollover. However, next year starts the MQD requirement in addition to MQM or MQS, so if your spend won't be high enough, the additional MQMs won't matter. You need to accurately predict your 2014 MQDs according to the future DL rules before making a decision.
Aug 20, 2013, 12:25 pm
#154
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Natl Exec
Posts: 449
I agree with MSP. The MQDs throw a wrench into the conversation. Of course, if you have a DL Amex card and spend $25K on it, then you won't have to worry about the MQDs. As stated, if you are happy with your upgrade percentage, then I would stick with PM.
Aug 20, 2013, 1:37 pm
#155
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
And if it is a choice between one year of DM and one of GM versus two years of PM, I'd go with the PM.
I haven't done LAX-JFK this year, but in the past I had very good luck, but I mostly flew off times (always connecting in JFK to/from Europe so LAX-JFK was mid morning and JFK-LAX mid to late afternoon -- usually mid week)
I haven't done LAX-JFK this year, but in the past I had very good luck, but I mostly flew off times (always connecting in JFK to/from Europe so LAX-JFK was mid morning and JFK-LAX mid to late afternoon -- usually mid week)
Aug 20, 2013, 1:56 pm
#156
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
If you feel comfortable meeting MQD for PM next year, rolling over 45k might be a good choice.
Personally, ain't no way I will give DL large rollover until I can better gauge the "full" impact of MQD's and whatever else DL Corp decides to pull on FF's.
For that reason, I think best to hit DM this year and start with as little rollover as possible. I can crank my annual flights up/down easily so starting with little rollover will ensure me a better chance of at least reaching PM and MQD's the following year. That is if I'm still "trusting" DL Corp enough to play FFP.
Most likely, I'll just status match and enjoy better schedules and less corp bean counter BS sometime next year.
Personally, ain't no way I will give DL large rollover until I can better gauge the "full" impact of MQD's and whatever else DL Corp decides to pull on FF's.
For that reason, I think best to hit DM this year and start with as little rollover as possible. I can crank my annual flights up/down easily so starting with little rollover will ensure me a better chance of at least reaching PM and MQD's the following year. That is if I'm still "trusting" DL Corp enough to play FFP.
Most likely, I'll just status match and enjoy better schedules and less corp bean counter BS sometime next year.
Aug 20, 2013, 5:08 pm
#157
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SEA, NYC
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 645
I can't say as a DM, but as a GM, I am about 25% on SEA-JFK and 0% on LAX-JFK. My DM friends report getting the UG pretty consistently on SEA-JFK, but I think LAX-JFK is always going to be hit or miss depending on the day. It seems that both routes are BFUG only, and both very heavy on DMs. As always, YMMV
Aug 20, 2013, 7:30 pm
#158
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Delta - PM, Hilton - Diamond, PriorityClub - Platinum
Posts: 199
I held at PM for two years before making the push to DM at the end of last year. I am at a 95%+ upgrade rate this year with my only misses being on an A320 from DTW to ATL (2X). The recognition level and service level has been markedly better this year. Unfortunately I will drop back down to PM next year due to less international travel this year.
Aug 20, 2013, 7:39 pm
#159
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
That said, not sure I would push for Diamond, only to fall back to Gold the next year. Personally would prefer Plat-Plat but neither would be a wrong decision. With MQD beginning 1/14, many will have to look at their options a little closer.
Aug 20, 2013, 7:47 pm
#160
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: msp
Programs: AA PLT 3MM, DL PM 2MM
Posts: 1,142
Not sure either
This is a tough question. I've not been able to use my SWU this year. Never available flight (oh one! MSP to MSY but that's it). NEVER international. BUT UG's I'm sure better as DM than would have had as PM. I'm now planning on hitting 125K miles. What to try it another year. I may have migrated to AA as a LT PLT but they now are in chaos. UA does not work. So for me sticking with trying to again hit DM for UG's (domestic).
Aug 20, 2013, 8:41 pm
#161
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001
I am facing a very similar situation as the OP and will be choosing to go PM-PM instead of DM-GM. For me, an important factor is maintaining free changes/cancellations on award tickets for as long as I can.
I don't think the incremental upgrade probability is a strong argument for going for DM since a higher DM upgrade percentage in 2014 would be offset by a lower GM upgrade percentage in 2015.
As an aside, MQD is not a factor for me since I will be waiving the requirement via Amex.
I don't think the incremental upgrade probability is a strong argument for going for DM since a higher DM upgrade percentage in 2014 would be offset by a lower GM upgrade percentage in 2015.
As an aside, MQD is not a factor for me since I will be waiving the requirement via Amex.
Aug 21, 2013, 8:44 am
#162
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAX, ATL, DEN
Programs: DL Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 22
I can't speak on those exact routes, but I do LAX-ATL every week SUN-FRI. That being up there as far as a status packed bird, diamond has made a huge difference in upgrades. However, I agree with earlier replies that MQDs should be at the front of all of our minds when planning for 2015.
Aug 21, 2013, 3:30 pm
#163
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium, , Delta 2MM & DM UA Gold
Posts: 299
Thank you all. I will make the MQD as I will be spending more than $25k, and with the price of tickets out of Medford, that is not the issue. The key is finding a way to get up to 75k next year, so that I can continue to have the plat benefits. If I make Diamond, it will probably be a 1 year only event.
Aug 21, 2013, 7:46 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: AL
Programs: AA Plat Pro, DL Sil, UA Sil, Hyatt Global, MR Amb, Hilton Diamond, National Exec, Hertz Pres
Posts: 477
This is a tough question. I've not been able to use my SWU this year. Never available flight (oh one! MSP to MSY but that's it). NEVER international. BUT UG's I'm sure better as DM than would have had as PM. I'm now planning on hitting 125K miles. What to try it another year. I may have migrated to AA as a LT PLT but they now are in chaos. UA does not work. So for me sticking with trying to again hit DM for UG's (domestic).
As for the OP's original question, I'd stick with Plat/Plat since you get most of the upgrades now.
Aug 21, 2013, 8:19 pm
#165
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001