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
Aug 10, 2017, 6:15 am
#616
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Aug 10, 2017, 3:43 pm
#617
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
With that said, I'm (finally) going to be Diamond this year at my current rate plus a pending 10K MQM bonus from Amex and my spend will most definitely be over $15K (will be at $13K by end of August) so, for me, if it shrinks Diamond membership and improves my UG chances, I can't say it would be the worst thing ever.
Aug 10, 2017, 6:34 pm
#618
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,079
Can you teach people on here how to distinguish between complementary and complimentary?
Aug 10, 2017, 9:50 pm
#619
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Aug 11, 2017, 12:14 pm
#620
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
No doubt that for hub captives this is more of a negative than for most others, you're very right.
You're right, I haven't felt the handcuffs of having to use a set travel portal and a set of rules like lowest cost economy flights (though I guess you can still pick a more expensive flight on an airline of your choice?), though I normally select the lowest cost option anyway, but sometimes it's Y, sometimes it's J (like when UA gave me 50,000 miles for just one RT HNL-IAD flight in J, with dual aisle access, thank you very much).
But again, you are being a bit overly dramatic. Why waste (OK, or "spend" if you'd like to look at it so) money on DL SkyClub membership - so very limited, instead of getting one of countless credit cards (no need to go for AmEx Plat at its hefty annual fee) with Priority Pass membership included? Then you will get access to many fold more lounges, many better lounges than SkyClub, when flying any airline. And if you have to buy the lowest cost ticket, just pay to upgrade to C+ on the longer flights; even if you pay that out of pocket, it may be an investment well worth making. Plus, flying different airlines, different product makes the hassle of frequent traveling more interesting and rewarding, IMO.*
*Though that is more so if you fly int'l. W/in US there's only a few choices, each not much better than the other. Still though, it can be a welcome break from the routine to experience different in-flight product, different connecting airports, etc.
You're right, I haven't felt the handcuffs of having to use a set travel portal and a set of rules like lowest cost economy flights (though I guess you can still pick a more expensive flight on an airline of your choice?), though I normally select the lowest cost option anyway, but sometimes it's Y, sometimes it's J (like when UA gave me 50,000 miles for just one RT HNL-IAD flight in J, with dual aisle access, thank you very much).
But again, you are being a bit overly dramatic. Why waste (OK, or "spend" if you'd like to look at it so) money on DL SkyClub membership - so very limited, instead of getting one of countless credit cards (no need to go for AmEx Plat at its hefty annual fee) with Priority Pass membership included? Then you will get access to many fold more lounges, many better lounges than SkyClub, when flying any airline. And if you have to buy the lowest cost ticket, just pay to upgrade to C+ on the longer flights; even if you pay that out of pocket, it may be an investment well worth making. Plus, flying different airlines, different product makes the hassle of frequent traveling more interesting and rewarding, IMO.*
*Though that is more so if you fly int'l. W/in US there's only a few choices, each not much better than the other. Still though, it can be a welcome break from the routine to experience different in-flight product, different connecting airports, etc.
I, like many of those I work with and talk to on flights, am a primarily domestic weekly M-Th grind traveler where my flights are paid for by my client or employer. I do not have a choice of where I travel, and I must use a travel portal to get within a certain dollar amount of the least cost fare. In most cases there is wiggle around the times enough to choose a preferred carrier, but the fare is always economy (not C+/W, not F, not J).
I don't really have much desire to experience other in-flight products. I mostly consider it taking the bus to work, and would prefer to get there as quickly and in as much comfort as possible with the least amount of extra cost out of my personal wallet, and any extra perks are a bonus.
For the $195 I invest in the Delta Amex, the ROI is about 4-5% back, in Delta currency. Free companion ticket, extra MQMs/RDMs at 25k spend, and the waiver, where he latter two are sometimes the difference between PM and DM. With DM comes the 3 choice benefits, which add enough ROI to the card to make it up to that 4-5%.
DM in addition of course adds extra bonuses like priority in IRROPs, dedicated call lline priority in upgrades to C+/FC, and other things, which help to justify the card annual fee.
I could invest the extra $300+ to get a card with multiple lounges, of course, but as you pointed out it's unlikely to really be worth it in my situation. The Choice Benefit I get for SC just means I have to pay less $$ out of pocket to an airport bar or Starbucks.
I am of course aware that others have more choices, but I am describing my situation and others who do the consultant shuffle. I don't think I'm being "overdramatic", just stating the facts of my situation.
I think you also misunderstand. If Amex and Delta removed the waiver and bonus MQMs, I wouldn't stop flying Delta or throw some fit, but the Amex would no longer be worth having and I would cancel it. I don't need the redeemable miles, and the ROI is meh at best if you remove that DM bump from the equation. I can get 2% back somewhere else for no fee.
Last edited by kitkat77; Aug 12, 2017 at 9:14 am
Aug 11, 2017, 5:35 pm
#621
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Aug 11, 2017, 9:37 pm
#623
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: AS 75K, UA Plt
Posts: 226
I'm PDX based and soon to be an AS MVPG 75k. My travel for work is up substantially this year at about 100k EQM flown and planned and next year it could go through the roof to 250K+ EQM. AA dumping AS is forcing me to choose between DL and AA. DL definitely has better options to Europe and Asia out of PDX. I see killing the amex spend as a real bonus to a long haul flyer and may get me to choose DL.
Aug 12, 2017, 9:35 am
#625
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: AS 75K, UA Plt
Posts: 226
DL has directs to AMS and NRT and seasonal direct to LHR. Condor flies to FRA. Those are the only longhaul options out of PDX. With DL I'll have GUCs or miles to upgrade. Customs in PDX is a breeze.
Aug 12, 2017, 5:28 pm
#626
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,198
You only get 4 GUCs... so even with less 'competition' that is only 2 round trips. Miles upgrading on DL is a big risk as availability is difficult to get in advance and the upgrade doesn't transfer to the gate for day of departure.
I really don't see how dumping the Amex spend waiver would do anything for you. If you're booking coach tickets, you're going to be flying mostly in coach.
I really don't see how dumping the Amex spend waiver would do anything for you. If you're booking coach tickets, you're going to be flying mostly in coach.
Aug 12, 2017, 6:27 pm
#628
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Aug 15, 2017, 11:19 am
#630
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
Perhaps unrelated, but I was just asked to take a long survey about my happiness with the Reserve card, its features and success with award redemptions compared to the other travel cards I use.