Platinum vs. Diamond

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Aug 22, 2014, 5:56 pm

#211

jimcoddington

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: FL

Programs: AA PLAT, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM

Posts: 616

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sez_Who

IMO, the most important strategy is don't select time-sensitive CB's until you are ready to use them. For example, no reason to choose RUC's or GUC's now if you don't plan to use them for another six months.

All the time-sensitive CB's expire one year from the date you select them, not one year from the first time you use them.

Best Delta advise ever!

Aug 23, 2014, 4:04 am

#212

Mowcheeba

Join Date: Mar 2014

Programs: DL DM

Posts: 78

Trying to decide if I wanna go towards DM in October or roll over some 45.000 MQM and reach PM by March 2015. If I choose GUG as my CB in like June next year I have until June 2016 to use them? What happens if I don't re qualify for DM that year?

Since I fly mostly KLM/AF between South America and Europe I don't see me using the GUC since I never buy those more expensive fare classes. I do have some Delta flights planned for next year, that's why I'm thinking about choosing the GUC.

Aug 23, 2014, 8:40 am

#213

Ledfish

Join Date: Aug 2013

Location: DTW

Programs: DL PM, Natl-Exec Elite, Hertz-President Circle, Marriot/Starwood-Gold, HHonors-Gold

Posts: 678

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowcheeba

I have the same issue(Stay PM or go for DM) and at this point I've decided to go with the huge rollover. I expect my flying next year will put me at the PM level and by holding short of DM, my status level (PM) will be stable even if something(unexpected time off for illness) reduces my travel. Conversely, if I go for and make DM and then something causes my travel to slow, I may fall back to GM.

Aug 23, 2014, 1:22 pm

#214

Mowcheeba

Join Date: Mar 2014

Programs: DL DM

Posts: 78

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledfish

As far as flying with other Skyteam partners it makes no big difference if you are PM or DM. For US residents flying mainly Delta it makes big difference it seems like. I sure like the idea of getting 4 GUC's to make a few of those long-haul flights a bit more comfortable.

To DM or not to DM, that is the question.

Aug 23, 2014, 1:40 pm

#215

StayingHomeIsBetter

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2008

Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles

Posts: 12,646

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcoddington

Best Delta advise ever!

Actually, I'll claim to have better advice:

Yes, wait until you need them, but don't forget to redeem before the expiration date.

(Some have posted here after having made that mistake.

)

Aug 23, 2014, 3:39 pm

#216

Mowcheeba

Join Date: Mar 2014

Programs: DL DM

Posts: 78

Quote:

Originally Posted by StayingHomeIsBetter

Actually, I'll claim to have better advice:

Yes, wait until you need them, but don't forget to redeem before the expiration date.

(Some have posted here after having made that mistake.

)

So, valid one year after you redeem the GUC? I can use them the year after even if I'm PM?

Aug 23, 2014, 3:56 pm

#217

sethb

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others

Posts: 12,159

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowcheeba

So, valid one year after you redeem the GUC? I can use them the year after even if I'm PM?

You get one year to use them (and they can be applied to a flight that takes place after that, provided they're applied early enough; at least, SWUs could. I don't know the rules about whether they'd need to clear in advance, they haven't been around long enough).

Aug 23, 2014, 6:47 pm

#218

MSPeconomist

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethb

IIRC, unlike SWUs, GUCs need to be flown within one year of having been chosen.

Aug 29, 2014, 2:54 am

#219

SEA-Flyer

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: SEA once more (previously CDG and NRT)

Programs: Former DL DM and UA 1k, now a J class free agent (UA Gold, AS MVP Gold)

Posts: 2,450

I'm currently PM and will finish the year with at least 105k MQM. Trying to decide if I should make a push for DM.

Regarding choice benefits, for DM it says choose two of:

4 Global / 8 Regional Upgrade Certificates
Luggage tags
2 Global Entry Application Voucher
25k bonus miles
Gifting Gold Medallion Status
Sky Club Executive Membership
6 SkyClub One-Day Passes
Gift Card

Do the two choices have to be different? For example, could I choose 4 Global Upgrade Certs with one choice, and another 4 Global Upgrade Certs with the other choice? Or could I choose to gift Gold Medallion Status with one choice and gifting Gold Medallion Status to someone else with the other choice?

Aug 29, 2014, 6:04 am

#220

BusTrav8yrs

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: CT

Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)

Posts: 2,026

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEA-Flyer

You only get 1 choice of 4 GUC, otherwise you can choose 8 RUC's not both.

So when you reach DM if you include your PM CB you can at most have either 12 RUC's (4 at PM, 8 at DM) or 4 RUC's and 4 GUCs .

Aug 29, 2014, 6:29 am

#221

flyerCO

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: San Antonio

Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium

Posts: 27,045

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEA-Flyer

Nope, can only choose one of each item, otherwise everyone here would be posting how they got 8 GUCs.

On a side note I have to laugh at some of the items in the list. Luggage tags? 2 GE Application Vouchers? A whole 6 SkyClub passes when right above it you can have SkyClub Executive Membership? I'm not one to call someone an idiot, but I'd have to say I'd be tempted to if they picked one of those.

Aug 29, 2014, 6:40 am

#222

BusTrav8yrs

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: CT

Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)

Posts: 2,026

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyerCO

Well the Executive membership is not outright, it is above the already comp'd Individual you get as a DM so it's real value is $145 right now (and $245 after March 1st 2015) whereas 6 club passes is worth $174 but can be used by anyone not just you.

Aug 29, 2014, 6:58 am

#223

flyerCO

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: San Antonio

Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium

Posts: 27,045

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusTrav8yrs

It's only good as a selection after March 1st. However I can use the Executive membership to get guests in. Yes they have to be with me, but most people are going to be with their guest anyway.

Regardless though, it looks like they came up with two high value/wanted items and then decided they wanted it to look like you had a choice, so added a few pointless items. I'm sorry but someone picking luggage tags needs to be slapped with said tags when they arrive.

Nov 17, 2014, 6:40 am

#224

141park

Join Date: Feb 2014

Location: Florida

Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Delta Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Executive Platinum

Posts: 241

Once you reach PM and DM, how long before you can choose the benefits?

I reached DM in August 2014 and just wondering if there is a deadline for which you have to choose the benefits.

Thanks for the help.

Nov 17, 2014, 6:54 am

#225

xliioper

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Posts: 23,063

Quote:

Originally Posted by 141park

Until the end of your DM program term (Jan 31, 2016 in your case). Note if you choose Gold Medallion status gift, the recipient will only have status through Jan 31, 2016 (regardless of when the gift is chosen).