Sep 26, 2017, 1:09 pm
Last edit by: Renes Points
On 26SEPT17 Delta changed the MQD AMEX exempt requirements. $25,000 only exempts you to Platinum or lower. $250,000 spend needed across ALL the DL AMEX cards you hold (personal and business in your name) for Diamond exemption for 2019 elite year.
If all you are interested in is the discussion starting when the announcement occurred on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, start here.
The Delta announcement is here https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/news-and-updates.html
There are many data points that Delta will allow a one time exception under the 2017 qualification rules if you request this for the 2019 Medallion year.
If all you are interested in is the discussion starting when the announcement occurred on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, start here.
The Delta announcement is here https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/news-and-updates.html
There are many data points that Delta will allow a one time exception under the 2017 qualification rules if you request this for the 2019 Medallion year.
Delta increasing Diamond MQD Waiver to $250,000
Jul 25, 2018, 3:57 pm
#1621
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: 5,108
Ironically where I'm more likely to shop around is on the premium fares (domestic TCON, INTL W/J), since (with the exception of lounge access on a partner W fare) status doesn't really help much there.
Jul 25, 2018, 5:55 pm
#1622
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
Jul 26, 2018, 1:50 am
#1623
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
Same here. Instead of switching airlines, though, I'm more willing to burn RDMs for leisure trips; I still get my status benefits, burn off some of my SkyPesos, and DL is probably happy to see them go off the books. OTOH, I've been less willing to make marginal trips than I used to since MQMs over the PM threshold are significantly less useful to me. (At the moment, my projected MQMs at year-end based on flights and the Amex boost: 76060, including rollover.)
Jul 26, 2018, 7:02 am
#1624
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BHM LEX NYC
Programs: 3MM DM, DL Reserve, HH Diamond, Nat Exec Elite, SPG, PC, etc...
Posts: 440
I've spent $112K on my Delta cards this year, but I'm stopping. I won't reach $250K without trying to do manufactured spending, which I don't have the time to do. This change has already cost Delta several flights so far this year that I've booked on American instead. For years, I flew Delta exclusively, but not any more. My MQM spending will drop from around $12K to around $8K to $9K, at least.
What has everyone else done? Found ways to spend more on the cards, stuck with Delta despite only being able to reach Platinum, or moved some or your flights elsewhere like I've done?
What has everyone else done? Found ways to spend more on the cards, stuck with Delta despite only being able to reach Platinum, or moved some or your flights elsewhere like I've done?
Jul 26, 2018, 7:32 am
#1625
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I've re-qualified for diamond, having just hit the MQD threshold after hitting the MQM threshold about a month ago. I'm signing up for a United status match and if that fails then I'll book the cheapest paid first-class or paid business-class airfare, regardless of carrier, for the rest of the year.
Jul 26, 2018, 11:16 am
#1626
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,928
I've re-qualified for diamond, having just hit the MQD threshold after hitting the MQM threshold about a month ago. I'm signing up for a United status match and if that fails then I'll book the cheapest paid first-class or paid business-class airfare, regardless of carrier, for the rest of the year.
Jul 26, 2018, 11:23 am
#1627
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
I've re-qualified for diamond, having just hit the MQD threshold after hitting the MQM threshold about a month ago. I'm signing up for a United status match and if that fails then I'll book the cheapest paid first-class or paid business-class airfare, regardless of carrier, for the rest of the year.
Regard
Jul 26, 2018, 4:51 pm
#1628
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
For the international routes I fly the Polaris product is better. Plus, United is finally opening more of the Polaris lounges, which are 100% better than anything Delta offers. I'm sick of flying internationally and not being able to find a spot to sit in the lounge because Delta's lounges are overcrowded and don't have a separate area for international or domestic Delta One business-class passengers.
Jul 26, 2018, 5:14 pm
#1629
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
For the international routes I fly the Polaris product is better. Plus, United is finally opening more of the Polaris lounges, which are 100% better than anything Delta offers. I'm sick of flying internationally and not being able to find a spot to sit in the lounge because Delta's lounges are overcrowded and don't have a separate area for international or domestic Delta One business-class passengers.
Regards
Jul 26, 2018, 5:29 pm
#1630
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,041
For the international routes I fly the Polaris product is better. Plus, United is finally opening more of the Polaris lounges, which are 100% better than anything Delta offers. I'm sick of flying internationally and not being able to find a spot to sit in the lounge because Delta's lounges are overcrowded and don't have a separate area for international or domestic Delta One business-class passengers.
You gotta check out the Delta lounge in SEA and see if you still feel this way.
Jul 26, 2018, 5:43 pm
#1631
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
Jul 27, 2018, 4:57 am
#1632
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I've been to Seattle. It's nice, but still below Polaris lounges or American's new Flagship lounges. Delta dropped the ball by not rolling out menu dining, as it tried three or four years ago in New York–J.F.K. and a couple other airports.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:53 am
#1633
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
Price and connections aren't the only factors in a rational analysis of what flight to buy. For example, automatic upgrades to comfort plus, the possibility of first class upgrades, earning MQMs, and accessing the crown room have been factors to consider other than just price. However, MQMs don't mean much these days because I won't reach the absurdly high MQD waiver for Diamond, and I hit enough MQMs for Platinum rather easily each year. So now the rational analysis tilts more in favor of buying someone else's cheaper fares from time to time.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:04 am
#1634
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
Just cancelled my DL AMEX Reserve today.
And I will be losing my DM status in January 2019.
So this guy is one less DM that you'll be fighting with over upgrades.
lol
I am happy traveling with OneWorld now and have only flown DL once this entire year and will not fly them further.
I used to maintain DM on DL and EXP with AA all on leisure fun MR vacation travel but I have now moved all of my flying over to OW.
And I will be losing my DM status in January 2019.
So this guy is one less DM that you'll be fighting with over upgrades.
lolI am happy traveling with OneWorld now and have only flown DL once this entire year and will not fly them further.
I used to maintain DM on DL and EXP with AA all on leisure fun MR vacation travel but I have now moved all of my flying over to OW.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:23 am
#1635
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Something Delta needs to do that would be an easy fix is to comp drinks off the luxury bar for passengers in Delta One international at the Skyclub. I was in the IND skyclub a couple weeks ago on a D1 ticket to CDG and thought it was downright cheap to expect me to pay for Kahlua for a white russian.