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
Sep 26, 2017, 10:54 am
#736
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
I have the Platinum so $195. Not really worth it for the companion fare as I have yet to even use it. I only had the card to get the waiver so it's now useless to me. There are cards with much much better ROI out there.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:54 am
#737
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: 100,368
Sep 26, 2017, 10:56 am
#738
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 715
If that was their goal, they will succeed mightily! My biggest issue will be putting the pen to paper (or excel) and deciding how I want to allocate business spend next year. If most everyone who was DM on card spend cancels or downgrades their reserve card- wouldn't PM w/reserve card be the new bar for the person on the bubble?
Sep 26, 2017, 10:57 am
#739
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: DL MM DM
Posts: 8
This is awful. Yes, based on past years I did meet the MQD requirements, but having the card waiver was a good hedge for fluctuations in my travel patterns. With that gone (and consistently carrying a balance of 300K+ MQMs) there is no reason to keep the card. Regular Amex Platinum is definitely the way to go from now on. Not happy at all with all the "improvements" we've seen over the past years....
Sep 26, 2017, 10:57 am
#740
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 31
My wife and I do this every year, and it isn't nearly as bad as you think. Two transpac trips and a few transatl trips make up a lot of miles for very few dollars - often 5-10cpm. Use your DIAMOND-earned Global upgrades for the transpacs (get them on standby almost every time) and it really isn't bad at all. Oh, and as Diamond you get free upgrade to C+ for international flights.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:57 am
#741
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Sep 26, 2017, 10:58 am
#742
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Savage, MN
Programs: DL PM, HY-PL, National-Executive Elite, Hilton - Gold, Marriot-Gold, IGH-Gold
Posts: 140
Well, I'll brace for the hammers that will be thrown my way but I am not all that disappointed with this change. I think the number is crazy high, but I do think an increase was merited. I've been a DM for a few years before changing jobs and traveling far less. Then two years at PM and one at GM. I am PM for the 2018 program year now having started traveling again.
I can understand a company wanting to reserve the top most level of loyalty rewards for those who are their best customers of their core product. PM offers some pretty great rewards and quality of life enhancements on its own. (SDC, C+ after booking Y, etc) Is it a bummer, sure, but hey, If I actually spent the butt in seat time on the plane, and spent the $15,000+ in tickets, I would think I've earned it too.
::ducks::
I can understand a company wanting to reserve the top most level of loyalty rewards for those who are their best customers of their core product. PM offers some pretty great rewards and quality of life enhancements on its own. (SDC, C+ after booking Y, etc) Is it a bummer, sure, but hey, If I actually spent the butt in seat time on the plane, and spent the $15,000+ in tickets, I would think I've earned it too.
::ducks::
Sep 26, 2017, 11:00 am
#743
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 37
The email message seems to confirm they did the math on what the DM population would have been in 2016 and in 2017 to date with essentially no waiver. Would love to know that number!
I've not needed the waiver yet for DM/PM, but I liked always knowing that if I had a quiet year I could still re-qualify as DM between the waiver and my stash of roll over MQMs. My reserve card still has some use to ensure I don't drop below PM / lose Skyclub access.
As a data point I spend a tad more than $145k combined on my personal Reserve, biz Reserve, and personal Plat card yearly (not much value in those cards once the bonuses end). I'll probably cancel the platinum card. I get good use out of the reserve cards companion certs booking A fares.
I've not needed the waiver yet for DM/PM, but I liked always knowing that if I had a quiet year I could still re-qualify as DM between the waiver and my stash of roll over MQMs. My reserve card still has some use to ensure I don't drop below PM / lose Skyclub access.
As a data point I spend a tad more than $145k combined on my personal Reserve, biz Reserve, and personal Plat card yearly (not much value in those cards once the bonuses end). I'll probably cancel the platinum card. I get good use out of the reserve cards companion certs booking A fares.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:01 am
#744
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: DL GM SPG National Emerald
Posts: 21
Those cards are not "credit cards" though, they are for use only on Delta Jet service.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:03 am
#745
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Flying to a boat
Programs: DL DM/2MM, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 823
The $250k spend does not have to be on airline tickets. It can be on anything from groceries to car repairs to paying property taxes to everyday business expenses for clients. So comparing it to a DPJ card is misleading.
Regarding cancelling the DL Amex, it still provides RDM and MQM bonuses, so there may still be value to many people, although the bonuses are not unlimited.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:04 am
#746
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: 100,368
IME most Reserve card calls now are outsourced overseas and this wasn't happening noticeably until very recently.
The email message seems to confirm they did the math on what the DM population would have been in 2016 and in 2017 to date with essentially no waiver. Would love to know that number!
I've not needed the waiver yet for DM/PM, but I liked always knowing that if I had a quiet year I could still re-qualify as DM between the waiver and my stash of roll over MQMs. My reserve card still has some use to ensure I don't drop below PM / lose Skyclub access.
As a data point I spend a tad more than $145k combined on my personal Reserve, biz Reserve, and personal Plat card yearly (not much value in those cards once the bonuses end). I'll probably cancel the platinum card. I get good use out of the reserve cards companion certs booking A fares.
I've not needed the waiver yet for DM/PM, but I liked always knowing that if I had a quiet year I could still re-qualify as DM between the waiver and my stash of roll over MQMs. My reserve card still has some use to ensure I don't drop below PM / lose Skyclub access.
As a data point I spend a tad more than $145k combined on my personal Reserve, biz Reserve, and personal Plat card yearly (not much value in those cards once the bonuses end). I'll probably cancel the platinum card. I get good use out of the reserve cards companion certs booking A fares.
Last edited by Canarsie; Sep 26, 2017 at 12:13 pm Reason: Consolidation.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:05 am
#747
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Typical DL opaque/intentionally obtuse move; they might as well have just eliminated the waiver like UA did for 1K.
That said, as a "steady" PM, this will probably incrementally improve my upgrade chances if just one or two former DMs on my same flights with the same low-ish fare buckets as me are now PMs. This is especially true if they drop their Reserve cards. I think many of us have been Bubble Boy/Girl enough to know that a small incremental change can make the difference.
That said, as a "steady" PM, this will probably incrementally improve my upgrade chances if just one or two former DMs on my same flights with the same low-ish fare buckets as me are now PMs. This is especially true if they drop their Reserve cards. I think many of us have been Bubble Boy/Girl enough to know that a small incremental change can make the difference.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:08 am
#748
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI USA DL FO (until 2/04), NW silver '03, NW gold '04+'05 Plat '06+ (thanks, Leo!), DL SkyClub
Programs: DL Plat/ Million Miler, AS, Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, Piggly Wiggly Pig Points
Posts: 2,233
So I have been mulling over this and getting text messages from a lot of other folks I know who fly DL and know I'm one of those crazy idiots who lives in a hub city for another airline but flies DL.
This was a huge service design failure on the part of DL and could have been handled so much better. If there really wanted to thin the herd then they should have just eliminated the spend waiver all together as opposed to insulting everyone's intelligence like this. Then they could have quietly culled their data and privately waived the MQD spend for those using their card over $250K annually or just tossed them an invite to DL360. Instead, they set a ridiculous target and pissed most people off in the process.
Not your brightest move, DL.
This was a huge service design failure on the part of DL and could have been handled so much better. If there really wanted to thin the herd then they should have just eliminated the spend waiver all together as opposed to insulting everyone's intelligence like this. Then they could have quietly culled their data and privately waived the MQD spend for those using their card over $250K annually or just tossed them an invite to DL360. Instead, they set a ridiculous target and pissed most people off in the process.
Not your brightest move, DL.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:08 am
#749
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 715
Dear SeaHawg-
Thank you for being a Diamond Medallion Member and for your continued loyalty. We are always looking for ways to improve the Medallion experience by listening to feedback. Because we want to ensure our most well-traveled Members can take full advantage of all the benefits of Diamond, a change is being made to how you qualify for 2019 Diamond Medallion Status.
As a Credit Card Member, we want you to be aware that starting January 1st, 2018, the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status is increasing. The MQD Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status is currently earned by spending $25,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year on a SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. It is being adjusted to $250,000 in a calendar year.
We understand this is a significant increase, but wanted you to know that the MQD Waiver to qualify for all of the best-in-class benefits of Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion Status will still remain at $25,000.
This update will not change how you earn 2018 Diamond Medallion Status.
We are very grateful for your loyalty and many travels with us.
We look forward to seeing and serving you soon.
Sandeep Dube, Vice President,
Customer Engagement & Loyalty
My email...
Thank you for being a Diamond Medallion Member and for your continued loyalty. We are always looking for ways to improve the Medallion experience by listening to feedback. Because we want to ensure our most well-traveled Members can take full advantage of all the benefits of Diamond, a change is being made to how you qualify for 2019 Diamond Medallion Status.
As a Credit Card Member, we want you to be aware that starting January 1st, 2018, the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status is increasing. The MQD Waiver for Diamond Medallion Status is currently earned by spending $25,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year on a SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. It is being adjusted to $250,000 in a calendar year.
We understand this is a significant increase, but wanted you to know that the MQD Waiver to qualify for all of the best-in-class benefits of Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion Status will still remain at $25,000.
This update will not change how you earn 2018 Diamond Medallion Status.
We are very grateful for your loyalty and many travels with us.
We look forward to seeing and serving you soon.
Sandeep Dube, Vice President,
Customer Engagement & Loyalty
My email...
Sep 26, 2017, 11:09 am
#750
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
I'm just struggling to understand how those of us who are regular travelers lose here. Most coach trips for Mon>Fri or Sun>Thur travel from the main airports by home (MSN, MKE, ORD & MDW) are always $500+, no matter where you go and often how far in advance you fly. It takes me 35 flights to get to 105K MQM plus the 20K Plat Amex waiver for $50K spend = 125K MQM. That's $17,500 in MQD assuming 3K MQM's per $500 trip. I can see some international travelers losing out if you are getting 20K MQD for $800-900 but for the weekly road warrior, it doesn't seem to affect us much.
If you are getting to 125K MQM with < $15K MQD then I have to think you understand that as a customer there is less value to the corporation than someone who is. It is only fair to honor those who make the spend. Being PM (I am right now) is still quite nice.
At the end of the day, it is moving more and more towards a revenue recognition program and as someone who works in analytics, I can tell you that honoring your most profitable customers has historically been a smart decision. If I get to 125K MQM with < $15K MQD, I just don't think I'm very profitable to DL and am expecting them to treat me as such.
If you are getting to 125K MQM with < $15K MQD then I have to think you understand that as a customer there is less value to the corporation than someone who is. It is only fair to honor those who make the spend. Being PM (I am right now) is still quite nice.
At the end of the day, it is moving more and more towards a revenue recognition program and as someone who works in analytics, I can tell you that honoring your most profitable customers has historically been a smart decision. If I get to 125K MQM with < $15K MQD, I just don't think I'm very profitable to DL and am expecting them to treat me as such.
