appleguru

If my math is correct, I'll end the year with just over 123,000 mqm.

I am currently DM, and PM as of now for next year.

Should I do a mileage run for the last 2k miles? Or just rollover the miles?

Unless I'm missing something, if i roll over the miles I potentially get a much better deal out of it?

Scenario 1:
Mileage run. Barely hit DM for 2016 and have to then get 125,000 MQM again in 2016 to requalify

Scenario 2:
Rollover 48k. Start 2016 off as plat. Put everything on my plat Amex and try to hit the 25k spend threshold asap (which gives me mqd waiver and 10k bonus mqm). As soon as I get 77k miles in 2016 (which I estimate will take me around 8months based on my current travel patterns), I get the remainder of 2016 with DM, and get all of 2017 with DM. Plus get a head start on DM for 2018. Downside here is fewer regular miles for flights I do fly (PM multiplier), and i have to stick it out as PM for part of 2016...

Decisions, decisions.... Any advice? Anything I'm missing?

jrl767

I'm PM; planning to roll over somewhere between 47-49k to 2016

I'm looking at a monthly WAS<-->SEA/LAX trip, possibly two; with one-way FCM fares in the $375-$450 range (3500-4800 MQM depending on routing) I should hit the $9k PM spend with more than enough miles by mid-year ... everything else will go to AS, MVPG (40k BIS AS metal) will be easy since I'll also have a monthly SEA<-->LAX turn

xliioper

You'll be missing out on 2 Diamond choice benefits if you don't qualify this year.

If you expect to get to 125K MQM's (without rollover) by the end of next year (or very close to it), and you think you will likely maintain that pace, I would just go for Diamond now. If, however, you think you'll likely come up short of that mark by a decent amount, the rollover plan might be better.

ATOBTTR

I'm planning to rollover 40K+ in MQMs but I also don't know how much I'll be flying next year, which is a big driver in my decision. If you know you'll fly enough next year to be at least PM going into 2017, you might as well hit DM for 2016.

ATL787

With all of the devaluation changes that have been made over the last 12+ months, along with the absolute cluster F that the upcoming C+ "upgrade" process will be, I see no reason to strive for DM (other than GUCs).

Whether on OPM or their own dime, there are bound to be some pretty pissed off PMs and DMs come early 2016.

I have shifted my leisure travel habits to cheapest/best timing option, and occasionally opt for FCM fares. I did so for Christmas, and have since watched the F cabin fill up around us. Glad I didn't opt for the upgrade lottery, loyalty doesn't mean bull squeeze anymore. Only 6 F seats left on a MD90 on a Saturday afternoon MSY-ATL flight on Dec.26th.....what a shame, and what an insult to every medallion that will not get an upgrade.

ubw117

Last year I rolled over 47k on PM and this year it made it much easier to be DM so I would say wait it, it may work better that way

SuperG1955

I rolled 47-48K as a PM for 2 years. This year increased travel and AMEX MQM meant that I'd move to DM and will finish with 185K MQM. My wife and I had both maintained PM but she decided to sharply reduce her travel starting in 2016.

I planned some of next year and determined that with 60K rollover and 30K MQM from each of our Reserve cards, I'd be at 120K MQM. I have 27K MQM booked in Jan and early Feb so I'll be DM for 2017 as soon as I make the AMEX waiver in March or April and will go over 200K next year, making the following year easier. I'll gift her GM and buy her FCM fares whenever she travels so she'll be happy.

You could look at upgrading your AMEX to Reserve and getting more MQM's. Use MS to get the second Mileage boost. That's also give you SC admission if you stay at PM for the beginning of the year.

The key for you is what LBJ said. Realistically estimate your travel and look at the value of the Choice Benefits to your travel pattern and decide which way to go.

Everyone's situation is different.

hockeyinsider

I was in the same situation as the original poster. I was about 13,000 miles short and decided to fly to Singapore because I was 99% for upgrades this year as a Diamond and I need the global upgrades because my company won't pay $10,000 on international flights.

Felixishim

this +1, skymiles program isn't getting any better so i would say re-qualify for DM this year and hold your breath and see what will come in 2016, at least you will have 4 GUCs in your pocket and 25k miles or GM to gift someone instead of just 4 RUCs for PM.

appleguru

If I hit diamond in 2016 do I get choice benefits for both 2016 and 2017? Or is that not how it works?

appleguru

N/t...

xliioper

No, you will only get the Diamond choice benefits selection once. You'll be able to select them from when you first qualify in 2016 through the end of the 2017 program year, but you only get it once (unless you re-qualify for Diamond in 2017 which will add another set).

appleguru

Ok, so just so I make sure I've got this... If I hit DM for 2016 in 2015, I get to chose 2016 choice benefits.

If I hit DM in 2016, I also get to chose 2016 choice benefits, but the status will last through 2017? (And I only get to select 2017 choice benefits if I requalify for DM during 2016?)

xliioper

You only get the choice benefits once each time you qualify. It doesn't matter which time in the year you qualify. If you reach DM this 2015 earnings year, you will get one Diamond choice benefit for the 2016 program year (selectable through January 2017). If you hit in 2016, you will get one Diamond choice benefit for the 2017 program year (selectable through January 2018). Basically, it's a choice benefit per qualification, not a choice benefit per year.

LaserSailor

If you are using card activity to get to DM! I would plan on that going away in the future. I think DL will eventually follow UA here and protect the top published tier from card,rollover, and spend waivers

My speculation, no other insight.