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
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 14,926
I think DL stands out from the competition as allowing the waiver for their top tier. This likely drives additional Amex spending and revenue for both companies.
Personally I'll probably not make DM, at least not regularly... and that would be my first time not as a DM since the program started.
My travel patterns fluctuate, so I take advantage of rollover and amex spend to fill in the gap in a slower year where I would only make PM normally, such at this year.
Overall big devaluation to the program and slap to DMs... the result will be lower revenue for Amex and large increase in the PM base vs DMs.
For those who are thinking the usual selfish thoughts that it will mean more upgrades, think again... did you forget that DL is pushing FCM hard? Those seats will just get bought up. This won't help your upgrades. The only thing it will do is reduce the number of pax with GUCs.
Personally I'll probably not make DM, at least not regularly... and that would be my first time not as a DM since the program started.
My travel patterns fluctuate, so I take advantage of rollover and amex spend to fill in the gap in a slower year where I would only make PM normally, such at this year.
Overall big devaluation to the program and slap to DMs... the result will be lower revenue for Amex and large increase in the PM base vs DMs.
For those who are thinking the usual selfish thoughts that it will mean more upgrades, think again... did you forget that DL is pushing FCM hard? Those seats will just get bought up. This won't help your upgrades. The only thing it will do is reduce the number of pax with GUCs.
#47
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 986
You can easily do 125,000 miles for less than $4,000. Although, I do think most people would fall somewhere between $5,000 to $9,000 if travelling internationally. A round-trip anywhere to Asia would yield between 15,000 to 20,000 miles and runs on average $850 (deals can be had for less than $700 regularly).
#48
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
I think DL stands out from the competition as allowing the waiver for their top tier. This likely drives additional Amex spending and revenue for both companies.
Personally I'll probably not make DM, at least not regularly... and that would be my first time not as a DM since the program started.
My travel patterns fluctuate, so I take advantage of rollover and amex spend to fill in the gap in a slower year where I would only make PM normally, such at this year.
Overall big devaluation to the program and slap to DMs... the result will be lower revenue for Amex and large increase in the PM base vs DMs.
For those who are thinking the usual selfish thoughts that it will mean more upgrades, think again... did you forget that DL is pushing FCM hard? Those seats will just get bought up. This won't help your upgrades. The only thing it will do is reduce the number of pax with GUCs.
Personally I'll probably not make DM, at least not regularly... and that would be my first time not as a DM since the program started.
My travel patterns fluctuate, so I take advantage of rollover and amex spend to fill in the gap in a slower year where I would only make PM normally, such at this year.
Overall big devaluation to the program and slap to DMs... the result will be lower revenue for Amex and large increase in the PM base vs DMs.
For those who are thinking the usual selfish thoughts that it will mean more upgrades, think again... did you forget that DL is pushing FCM hard? Those seats will just get bought up. This won't help your upgrades. The only thing it will do is reduce the number of pax with GUCs.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 14,926
Alternatively, those buying expensive D1 fares don't need the GUCs since they or their company pays to sit up front all the time.. and now they need the high fares to keep DM so wouldn't buy a cheap ticket and upgrade.
#51
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 687
Without the GUC, fliers who have the waiver and travel internationally on coach fares to top off MQM's will likely try out the generally superior INTL J competition. I'm on track for $11k spend (my money- because I own my company) - Suppose my flying next year is the same, would paying $4k for a J fare to retain DM status be worth it over Plat status, or would I have a better experience catching a deal in competitor's J and depriving DL of that spend?
With PE becoming more of a mainstay, and my inability to sleep on planes, it may be wise just to shop around more.
#52
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
$15K / 25 RT's per year is $600 per ticket base fare
$15K / 40 RT's per year is $375 per ticket base fare
You don't have to be a TATL/TPAC D1 traveler to get DM...something tells me the RT numbers for several DM's here is light for a given year.
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ Business: ATL, PVG, PEK, CAN, SZX, MNL, SIN, KUL, BKK, SGN, CPT, UIO
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,606
FTW:
- Annual spent on DL <$10,000 or even less depending on VDB vouchers. Personal outlay is probably around $0.04-0.05/MQM
- Annual MQM collected >150,000.
- Non-US resident so MQD waived.
- AMEX is Asian version for better benefits and reward accumulations.
- Sitting on 500k+ MQM to roll over.
- Have full flexibility on TPAC work flight schedule.
#55
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,352
Of course, depending how many Mileage Boosts someone currently enjoys, that could represent anywhere from 0-50K of actual flying.
For those who are thinking the usual selfish thoughts that it will mean more upgrades, think again... did you forget that DL is pushing FCM hard? Those seats will just get bought up. This won't help your upgrades. The only thing it will do is reduce the number of pax with GUCs.
Fewer SC memberships maybe?
#56
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
Perhaps value to us, the flier, but what is the actual cost for DL? $50? $100 max? We're talking about the marginal cost of seats that go unfilled in J. What's that cost DL? A couple of meals, wine, a SkyClub visit, an amenity kit, and other miscallaneous items?
Without the GUC, fliers who have the waiver and travel internationally on coach fares to top off MQM's will likely try out the generally superior INTL J competition. I'm on track for $11k spend (my money- because I own my company) - Suppose my flying next year is the same, would paying $4k for a J fare to retain DM status be worth it over Plat status, or would I have a better experience catching a deal in competitor's J and depriving DL of that spend?
With PE becoming more of a mainstay, and my inability to sleep on planes, it may be wise just to shop around more.
Without the GUC, fliers who have the waiver and travel internationally on coach fares to top off MQM's will likely try out the generally superior INTL J competition. I'm on track for $11k spend (my money- because I own my company) - Suppose my flying next year is the same, would paying $4k for a J fare to retain DM status be worth it over Plat status, or would I have a better experience catching a deal in competitor's J and depriving DL of that spend?
With PE becoming more of a mainstay, and my inability to sleep on planes, it may be wise just to shop around more.
#57
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,352
The marginal cost to transport any single person on board is negligible when you look at it that way. But when you look at it as an opportunity cost to DL as not being able to sell that seat...I'm sure there are many flights with people on GUC's that have sold out in J...it's back to thousands of potential dollars.
I guess we'd all be interested in knowing what the average amortized opportunity cost of a cleared cert is to DL

#58
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pagus Bracbatensis, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Programs: DL SPlat, KLM Bump, Privium Plus, GOES
Posts: 2,062
In 2004 and 2008 it was AmEx bailing out Delta by providing them basically with a $600 million & $1 billion boost in liquidity. Appareantly times are changing and Delta seems to have enough liquidity/other sources of income as i imagine they will factor or have factored that all into any decision.
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 14,926
Other flights I've been on with a GUC always had some available seats at boarding time that got filled with non-rev.
#60
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 23