KeepClimbingDick

It's kind of like a hot day in August. You're by the pool at the $$$$ country club when you notice a stream of boisterous kids and adults coming in with coolers of beers and inner tubes. You get up and ask the pool management what's going on. You're informed that the pump at the community rec center is broken and the county asked you to let everyone into the country club's pool. You express disbelief and outrage and then are informed by a passing pot-bellied redneck, "Why do you care? You still have your pool to swim in."

Exclusivity and premium service is not about people getting the same level of service for free. I agree that airlines need to find a way to continue to reward loyalty for those that spend a boatload on an on-going basis -- and that doesn't include those flying on the corporate nickel when they really have no choice but to select Delta because of corporate contracts.

Thanks to Delta for trying to put an end to the madness.

MSPeconomist

Would you have preferred to have DL announce this change at the same time next year?

jrl767

I think there are really two strategies in the mix, with two target audiences: one strategy is product differentiation, aimed at the customers and prospective customers who DL really wants to attract and maintain in the pointy end ... not necessarily FREQUENT DL travelers, but hopefully REGULAR (read "loyal") DL travelers


and this is the other, aimed at the more frequent travelers who may or may not have a choice in travel arrangements (but clearly more at those who do have such choice) ... the "elite experience" that occasionally gets them away from a portion of the stuff and nonsense of their "road warrior" travel routine; while portion size initially depended primarily on frequency and/or distance of travel, addition of MQD has added the "pay-to-play" component

so it's all about the calculus of how much these folks are willing to keep paying (or keep submitting for reimbursement to those who underwrite their travel) in order to keep reaping a smaller portion of that experience ... everyone has different factors that are important to them in different amounts, probably at different times, and there's simply no "RIGHT" answer -- program structure -- that can possibly make everyone happy

HongKonger

Why in the world would they do this. DL and Amex make billions from each other. The waiver isn't going away. It might increase though.

rankourabu

That would be fair, no?

By all means, personal travel can accumulate for status, etc.

But corporate contract rates, why? This is one area where UA got it right, and does not award MQDs to contracted corporate rates. Why reward the flyer, if they are paying zero for the flight, and you have their business guaranteed anyway.

NWA777

This is for 2016.

I'll be shopping around. This is ridiculous.

I don't want to go to another carrier, But this not right.

Below is the new 2015 vs 2016 Medallion Status format.
(Standard if you spend $25,000 with AMEX eligible purchases the MQS will be waived).

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...10_AA005119_P0

FitTraveler

And that is my point... HE was probably a diamond acting as a rent-a-gate-agent policing the F cabin to ensure all the upgrade rules were followed and that Shena was not the reason your friend was in First. LOL

MSPeconomist

Personally I would consider it to be fair in the sense of being consistent with DL's goals, but I'm sure corporate contract travelers would scream.

troyintn

I agree, I Was surprised their was not a two tier for amex this year 25k for FO/GM and 50k for PM/DM or something along those lines. but I am sure it is coming.

LGANightOwl

If that's true, then my question is, is the overall goal of increasing MQD's to drive more business to Delta, or to drive more cardholders for the Delta AmEx? It surely doesn't seem like Delta wants to limit Medallions as they keep sending out offer after offer...

I_Can_Fly_US_Airways

I still would like to see the levels increased a little more though. The higher the threshold, the more it keeps the "roll rollers" out of F class cabins (-;

MSPeconomist

The goal should be to increase DL's profits, or more precisely its market value. Neither increasing their sales volume or the number of DL AmEx cards is equivalent to profit maximization.

Chilcoot

DL Flyers will be expected to earn their 2016 status during 2015, which begins in just over 2.5 months. Cocky or not, DL's doing the right thing passing the word now.

fattieonboard

+100

fattieonboard

LOL... best one today!! We've all seen him!!