Status / Diamond on Dollars Alone ?
Dec 12, 2014, 11:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA CK; DL PM; UA GS; HH DI; MR TTM; AVIS CC
Posts: 27
Status / Diamond on Dollars Alone ?
Apologies if this has been covered, tried to search with no luck.
I buy almost all my travel very last minute on very high cost (often short distance) routes. As a result, I am in the situation now where I have only 37k MQMs and 17 segments, but my MQDs are well past the Diamond mark at over $15k MQD spend (Moved this year, so only started flying Delta in June).
Seems to me I am the ideal patron for them to give Diamond to, I incur the least cost for them (they use up very little inventory on me) yet generate high revenue. My cost per mile dwarfs most fliers I know.
However, since it is a Miles/Segments AND Dollars, I am hosed. My 2015 status is Silver.
Anyone know if Delta ever waivers and gives out higher status based on spend ?
Appreciate the insight, as I am new to Delta - primarily flew American until late this year. AA handled the issue by giving me Concierge Key, but haven't read of any similar Delta programs.
I buy almost all my travel very last minute on very high cost (often short distance) routes. As a result, I am in the situation now where I have only 37k MQMs and 17 segments, but my MQDs are well past the Diamond mark at over $15k MQD spend (Moved this year, so only started flying Delta in June).
Seems to me I am the ideal patron for them to give Diamond to, I incur the least cost for them (they use up very little inventory on me) yet generate high revenue. My cost per mile dwarfs most fliers I know.
However, since it is a Miles/Segments AND Dollars, I am hosed. My 2015 status is Silver.
Anyone know if Delta ever waivers and gives out higher status based on spend ?
Appreciate the insight, as I am new to Delta - primarily flew American until late this year. AA handled the issue by giving me Concierge Key, but haven't read of any similar Delta programs.
Dec 12, 2014, 11:49 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Status / Diamond on Dollars Alone ?
Wait a couple years and DL will probably be awarding status only on MQDs. Until then, $100k at DPJ will get you DM.
Dec 12, 2014, 11:49 am
#3
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: 100,417
If your MQDs were ten times what they are, there might be a chance of something special IMO, but I would guess that most DMs spend more on DL tickets than you have. The minimum is likely to be binding only for people who tend to look very hard for cheap destinations and fares. Most business travelers don't have much flexibility and spend far more than ten cents per mile on average.
Dec 12, 2014, 1:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,236
Apologies if this has been covered, tried to search with no luck.
I buy almost all my travel very last minute on very high cost (often short distance) routes. As a result, I am in the situation now where I have only 37k MQMs and 17 segments, but my MQDs are well past the Diamond mark at over $15k MQD spend (Moved this year, so only started flying Delta in June).
I buy almost all my travel very last minute on very high cost (often short distance) routes. As a result, I am in the situation now where I have only 37k MQMs and 17 segments, but my MQDs are well past the Diamond mark at over $15k MQD spend (Moved this year, so only started flying Delta in June).
Dec 12, 2014, 2:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,110
Amusingly, I'm in a similar camp this year (but without quite the discrepancy). I could meet DM MQD, but will only be at ~95 MQM (and even then only thanks to ~20k rollover). My solution? Drop to PM starting March and shop around more for the best flights to match my needs.
Dec 12, 2014, 2:48 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,110
Dec 12, 2014, 3:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,236
spend $35,000.00 on tickets first class to Male (not on Delta). And he bought three of them. Far more common than you might think.
Dec 12, 2014, 3:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, United Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 303
Apologies if this has been covered, tried to search with no luck.
I buy almost all my travel very last minute on very high cost (often short distance) routes. As a result, I am in the situation now where I have only 37k MQMs and 17 segments, but my MQDs are well past the Diamond mark at over $15k MQD spend (Moved this year, so only started flying Delta in June).
Seems to me I am the ideal patron for them to give Diamond to, I incur the least cost for them (they use up very little inventory on me) yet generate high revenue. My cost per mile dwarfs most fliers I know.
However, since it is a Miles/Segments AND Dollars, I am hosed. My 2015 status is Silver.
Anyone know if Delta ever waivers and gives out higher status based on spend ?
Appreciate the insight, as I am new to Delta - primarily flew American until late this year. AA handled the issue by giving me Concierge Key, but haven't read of any similar Delta programs.
I buy almost all my travel very last minute on very high cost (often short distance) routes. As a result, I am in the situation now where I have only 37k MQMs and 17 segments, but my MQDs are well past the Diamond mark at over $15k MQD spend (Moved this year, so only started flying Delta in June).
Seems to me I am the ideal patron for them to give Diamond to, I incur the least cost for them (they use up very little inventory on me) yet generate high revenue. My cost per mile dwarfs most fliers I know.
However, since it is a Miles/Segments AND Dollars, I am hosed. My 2015 status is Silver.
Anyone know if Delta ever waivers and gives out higher status based on spend ?
Appreciate the insight, as I am new to Delta - primarily flew American until late this year. AA handled the issue by giving me Concierge Key, but haven't read of any similar Delta programs.
Today I called Delta to inquire about an upgrade to FC Monday on my MSP-LAX flight. To my surprise was offered a 12,500 miles usage to move or have my ticket fare class change to result in non refundable restriction and pay $6 to move into FC on Outbound and Return Flight.
During the conversation of a really nice agent noticed my MQD and suggested the AMEX to achieve gold. I dont want another CC so I passed. He did tell me to email Delta and explain my Status and MQD's and request a Medallion status change. He said when people clear MQD;s of DM they have bumped people to the next level when they are close to that status.
I dont think on spend alone should get a person move from FO to DM but gaining another level would be nice. As everyone knows things change a fair amount as GM vs FO.
Dec 12, 2014, 6:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: DL PM, Natl-Exec Elite, Hertz-President Circle, Marriot/Starwood-Gold, HHonors-Gold
Posts: 678
I am in a similar boat as you with some differences. First, I usually by tickets at 21 days out . I am at $12,148 but after my MSP-LAX and back next week it will jump to $13,478. I am at 35,562 MQM and 46 MQS.
Today I called Delta to inquire about an upgrade to FC Monday on my MSP-LAX flight. To my surprise was offered a 12,500 miles usage to move or have my ticket fare class change to result in non refundable restriction and pay $6 to move into FC on Outbound and Return Flight.
During the conversation of a really nice agent noticed my MQD and suggested the AMEX to achieve gold. I dont want another CC so I passed. He did tell me to email Delta and explain my Status and MQD's and request a Medallion status change. He said when people clear MQD;s of DM they have bumped people to the next level when they are close to that status.
I dont think on spend alone should get a person move from FO to DM but gaining another level would be nice. As everyone knows things change a fair amount as GM vs FO.
Today I called Delta to inquire about an upgrade to FC Monday on my MSP-LAX flight. To my surprise was offered a 12,500 miles usage to move or have my ticket fare class change to result in non refundable restriction and pay $6 to move into FC on Outbound and Return Flight.
During the conversation of a really nice agent noticed my MQD and suggested the AMEX to achieve gold. I dont want another CC so I passed. He did tell me to email Delta and explain my Status and MQD's and request a Medallion status change. He said when people clear MQD;s of DM they have bumped people to the next level when they are close to that status.
I dont think on spend alone should get a person move from FO to DM but gaining another level would be nice. As everyone knows things change a fair amount as GM vs FO.
Dec 12, 2014, 7:10 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tricoastal - London, New York, Silicon Valley
Programs: DL DM/2.5MM, 20 Years Top Tier on DL, UA 1K, AC E75k, MR/SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,309
TFD
Dec 12, 2014, 7:49 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190