2 year medallion plan diamond then gold or two years of platinum
Oct 28, 2015, 6:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
2 year medallion plan diamond then gold or two years of platinum
I forecast I will end 2015 6,000 MQM short of diamond status for 2016. In 2016 my travel will be significantly curtailed. I think miles toward an unachieved status level carry over to the next year. My choice is do I take a mileage run in December to get diamond in 2016 but start my 2017 build close to zero and likely achieve only gold in 2017 or forego the mileage run and settle for platinum in 2016 but have a jump start toward achieving platinum in 2017? Any advice is welcome.
Oct 28, 2015, 7:22 am
#3
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It depends on anticipated travel patterns, preferences for various elite benefits, etc.
For many people, four GUCs as a DM would seal the deal, while others would value two years of redeposit fee waivers for award tickets more.
For many people, four GUCs as a DM would seal the deal, while others would value two years of redeposit fee waivers for award tickets more.
Oct 28, 2015, 7:24 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: IND
Programs: DL DM, Marriott PE
Posts: 353
How much travel do you do?
The biggest advantage of DM one year and GM the next (for me) would be the 8 RUC or 4 GUC you can take.
Verify that this is the case before letting it influence your decision, but I think for example you could ride your DM status for upgrades next year, make your certificate choices late in 2016, leaving them valid for 1 year--IOW through the end of 2017.
12 RUC's would make GM a lot nicer. I'd probably take that over PMx2. But it depends on how much you travel and what you value most.
The biggest advantage of DM one year and GM the next (for me) would be the 8 RUC or 4 GUC you can take.
Verify that this is the case before letting it influence your decision, but I think for example you could ride your DM status for upgrades next year, make your certificate choices late in 2016, leaving them valid for 1 year--IOW through the end of 2017.
12 RUC's would make GM a lot nicer. I'd probably take that over PMx2. But it depends on how much you travel and what you value most.
Oct 28, 2015, 8:48 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,857
Usually with the continued diminution of medallion benefits, I recommend folks take the bird in the hand (higher status now).
In this case if OP is not going to fly much in 2016, I'm leaning towards the bird in the bush.
David
Oct 28, 2015, 8:51 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: COS
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 97
If you expect not to fly much in the next couple years I would probably take DM/GM over PM/PM. With the GUC or RUC choice for a diamond it would make things better. However, if you think next year might be lower and then pick up in 17 I would say PM/PM is the way to go. That way in 17 when you start flying more you would be a PM and not a GM.
Oct 29, 2015, 7:52 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Harrisburg, PA / Savannah, GA (when home!)
Programs: DL-Diamond; UA-Silver (moan); Hilton-DIA; Marriott-PPE; IHG-Plat; NC-Exec Elite
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FWIW, I've consistently been a PM since I use two airlines and I've been perfectly happy with it.
Oct 29, 2015, 10:02 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Programs: Household of Delta GM & PM, SWA RR CP, Bonvoy Platinum, Hertz #1 Gold, Budget RZ
Posts: 304
My partner elected to do PMx2 because of the award ticket redeposit, he has over 500,000 miles, so if he sees a great sky miles deal for 25,000 he jumps on it knowing we can cancel.
Oct 29, 2015, 10:09 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PIA, MLI
Programs: DL DM, Hilton DIA, Wyndham DIA, IHG Spire AMB
Posts: 29
personally I am going to quit about a thousand miles short of diamond this year and stay at platinum which will make a great head start for next year. I may end up flying less next year, so this is my best option. I will do platinum with rollover almost to gold instead of diamond with none. If I fly more next year I'll make diamond easier with the rollover.
Oct 29, 2015, 12:18 pm
#10
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
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I forecast I will end 2015 6,000 MQM short of diamond status for 2016. In 2016 my travel will be significantly curtailed. I think miles toward an unachieved status level carry over to the next year. My choice is do I take a mileage run in December to get diamond in 2016 but start my 2017 build close to zero and likely achieve only gold in 2017 or forego the mileage run and settle for platinum in 2016 but have a jump start toward achieving platinum in 2017? Any advice is welcome.
Oct 30, 2015, 9:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Minneapolis
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Oct 30, 2015, 11:29 pm
#12
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That's no travel in 2017, so go Diamond for 2016 and don't worry about status in 2017. If lots of travel in 2017, be Platinum for 2016 and highest possible (for him) status in 2017.
Oct 31, 2015, 7:15 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,113
Since you said your travel would be "significantly curtailed" in 2016, I'd go PM/PM. Otherwise, you'd have DM status that you'd barely use and only GM when you're back into the travel game.
Oct 31, 2015, 8:26 pm
#15
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But that depends on 2017. If travel in 2017 is back up, then PM in 2017 is worth it. If it's even more curtailed, then DM in 2016 and GM in 2017 is better.