How many fewer Diamonds will there be in 2016?
Oct 21, 2015, 4:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, SWA A list preferred, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 20
How many fewer Diamonds will there be in 2016?
I will be hitting Diamond Medallion for the 1st time this year and am curious if the MQD of $15k will significantly decrease the number of DM's in 2016...meaning better chance for upgrades. Platinum out of SNA is very hit or iss (usually miss). Does anytone have any info on this or any Delta projections?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Oct 21, 2015, 4:49 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,166
If you're expecting more upgrades as a DM, don't hold your breath... Delta is actively selling first class seats to maximize revenue rather than give them away to DMs.
Oct 21, 2015, 4:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
I will be hitting Diamond Medallion for the 1st time this year and am curious if the MQD of $15k will significantly decrease the number of DM's in 2016...meaning better chance for upgrades. Platinum out of SNA is very hit or iss (usually miss). Does anytone have any info on this or any Delta projections?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Oh, don't forget cheap G-A-P fares and the FCMs!
Oct 21, 2015, 4:55 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,397
With FCM fares for tickets purchased in advance often times being lower than last minute tickets typically purchased by diamonds, my upgrade rate was better as a PMNW gold and as a Delta PM than it is now as a diamond. The GU's are nice if you fly international and I have good luck using those at least.
I don't think the MQD is going to stop many people who fly 125K+ miles a year from being diamond anyway with the Am Ex waiver. I already met the MQD waiver with my am ex spend by January 10 this year
I don't think the MQD is going to stop many people who fly 125K+ miles a year from being diamond anyway with the Am Ex waiver. I already met the MQD waiver with my am ex spend by January 10 this year
Oct 21, 2015, 5:03 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,023
You are forgetting the MQD waiver for those who hit 25k on a DL branded AMEX. Plus, those who have 4 Reserves and do tons of MS, get loads of MQMs...without ever stepping foot on a plane. I don't know how they do it, but getting DM, with fairly limited flying is very possible!
Oh, don't forget cheap G-A-P fares and the FCMs!
Oh, don't forget cheap G-A-P fares and the FCMs!
Oct 21, 2015, 5:05 pm
#6
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
I will be hitting Diamond Medallion for the 1st time this year and am curious if the MQD of $15k will significantly decrease the number of DM's in 2016...meaning better chance for upgrades. Platinum out of SNA is very hit or miss (usually miss). Does anytone have any info on this or any Delta projections?
That said, I really don't think that $2500 more in MQDs will make a bit of a NOTICEIBLE difference in number of DMs, with particular regard to UGs. I think that most DMs are likely, either WAY over the MQD amount, or have the Amex waiver (or non USA). If anything, I'd expect MORE DMs, with newbies coming over from fallout from the US/AA merger.
Just my 2˘ worth!
Oct 21, 2015, 5:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
Unfortunately, this is not the case, and I earn my status, the 'hard way'! 
Oct 21, 2015, 5:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SJU
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 152
Reserve Rocks
Quote:
Originally Posted by tm_rome
I will be hitting Diamond Medallion for the 1st time this year and am curious if the MQD of $15k will significantly decrease the number of DM's in 2016...meaning better chance for upgrades. Platinum out of SNA is very hit or iss (usually miss). Does anytone have any info on this or any Delta projections?
Thanks in advance.
You are forgetting the MQD waiver for those who hit 25k on a DL branded AMEX. Plus, those who have 4 Reserves and do tons of MS, get loads of MQMs...without ever stepping foot on a plane. I don't know how they do it, but getting DM, with fairly limited flying is very possible!
Oh, don't forget cheap G-A-P fares and the FCMs!
Originally Posted by tm_rome
I will be hitting Diamond Medallion for the 1st time this year and am curious if the MQD of $15k will significantly decrease the number of DM's in 2016...meaning better chance for upgrades. Platinum out of SNA is very hit or iss (usually miss). Does anytone have any info on this or any Delta projections?
Thanks in advance.
You are forgetting the MQD waiver for those who hit 25k on a DL branded AMEX. Plus, those who have 4 Reserves and do tons of MS, get loads of MQMs...without ever stepping foot on a plane. I don't know how they do it, but getting DM, with fairly limited flying is very possible!
Oh, don't forget cheap G-A-P fares and the FCMs!
Oct 21, 2015, 6:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
I will be hitting Diamond Medallion for the 1st time this year and am curious if the MQD of $15k will significantly decrease the number of DM's in 2016...meaning better chance for upgrades. Platinum out of SNA is very hit or iss (usually miss). Does anytone have any info on this or any Delta projections?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Oct 21, 2015, 7:08 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,379
I won't be DM next year; I will probably end the year around 100k MQMs.
I'm also preparing for life without upgrades. I'm traveling tomorrow and Saturday and will only go 2 for 4 on UGs; had I not been DM, I wouldn't get any upgrades at all.
Unless I really have to travel a lot next year, I'm probably not even going to try for PM. I will look for discounted F fares to the west coast, and will buy at $850-1,000 level, rather than at the $300-400 level for LUTVX fares.
I'm also thinking about not buying an SC membership. I'll get to use clubs when I travel internationally, which will be 2-3 times next year. I'll think about going on AF or KL, so that I can use their clubs as a STE+
I'm also preparing for life without upgrades. I'm traveling tomorrow and Saturday and will only go 2 for 4 on UGs; had I not been DM, I wouldn't get any upgrades at all.
Unless I really have to travel a lot next year, I'm probably not even going to try for PM. I will look for discounted F fares to the west coast, and will buy at $850-1,000 level, rather than at the $300-400 level for LUTVX fares.
I'm also thinking about not buying an SC membership. I'll get to use clubs when I travel internationally, which will be 2-3 times next year. I'll think about going on AF or KL, so that I can use their clubs as a STE+
Oct 21, 2015, 7:09 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: LAXatives
Programs: Delta Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Diplomat, Hertz Chairman's Square, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 390
What is the basis for the statement that those with several Reserve cards use them for MS? My wife and I have three of them and have no idea how it is done. Yes we both are PM without a lot of flying and are UG on the vast majority of flights. So we are thrilled when everyone else who lives on planes get the UG. Win win deal for everyone.
Oct 21, 2015, 8:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 16
Oct 21, 2015, 8:32 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,264
I feel fairly certain that any projections like this would be closely guarded info.
That said, I really don't think that $2500 more in MQDs will make a bit of a NOTICEIBLE difference in number of DMs, with particular regard to UGs. I think that most DMs are likely, either WAY over the MQD amount, or have the Amex waiver (or non USA). If anything, I'd expect MORE DMs, with newbies coming over from fallout from the US/AA merger.
Just my 2˘ worth!
That said, I really don't think that $2500 more in MQDs will make a bit of a NOTICEIBLE difference in number of DMs, with particular regard to UGs. I think that most DMs are likely, either WAY over the MQD amount, or have the Amex waiver (or non USA). If anything, I'd expect MORE DMs, with newbies coming over from fallout from the US/AA merger.
Just my 2˘ worth!
The part I disagree on is that there will be a huge influx of new elites as a result of the US/AS merger. There hasn't been a tremendous amount of fallout. I'm sure there will be some, but there are also those going the other direction. It's like a revolving door with people going in and out, but I doubt it will materially change the number of people on either side of the door.
Oct 21, 2015, 8:49 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,213
Yeah dont fool yourself. Until the MQD waiver with the AMEX is gone you are not going to see any change. Its not hard for thousands of people to get the DL AMEX and use it for 1 or 2 business expenses and its done. DL is so inconsistent in many areas, but they do not care about loyalty, they care about $ and their AMEX partnership, as any good business should.