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 27, 2017, 1:20 pm
#1111
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
I think it's more possible that people will spend $15K+ but not necessarily 15K MQD. It depends on the route. Let's say you're on a route where the usual fare is $300, give or take, RT, and a normal trip earns 2500 MQM. That's 50 round trips but you're not likely to hit 15K MQD.
Sep 27, 2017, 1:24 pm
#1112
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
Doubt it. It's nearly impossible to fly that many miles and spend just over $1,000.... you must be carrying over from previous years. If so, yes, you are the ones that Delta wants to target on this.
Sep 27, 2017, 1:26 pm
#1113
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
Someone could have also had a good year (or three) of very heavy travelling and have a lot of rollover MQMs. I will be rolling over close to 100K at the end of this year and there are people that have reported having over 350K MQM's in their account
Sep 27, 2017, 1:27 pm
#1114
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
Sep 27, 2017, 1:27 pm
#1115
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
JCB Marukai Premium gives you 3% cash-back on all purchases + $50 extra, for only $15 annual fee. No forex fee.
https://www.jcbusa.com/for_consumers...remium-hawaii/ https://www.jcbusa.com/for_consumers...mium-jcb-card/
Alliant Visa gives you 3% back first year, 2.5% back second year and onwards, for $59 annual fee (2nd year and on). http://www.alliantcreditunion.org/ba...signature-card
https://www.jcbusa.com/for_consumers...remium-hawaii/ https://www.jcbusa.com/for_consumers...mium-jcb-card/
Alliant Visa gives you 3% back first year, 2.5% back second year and onwards, for $59 annual fee (2nd year and on). http://www.alliantcreditunion.org/ba...signature-card
Definitely looking into the Alliant option.
Thank you, RealHJ!
Sep 27, 2017, 1:28 pm
#1116
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
I received 100K MQMS from credit card spend this year and know there are others. You could also have another reserve card holder gift you their miles so it would be possible for me to have Diamond status with no spend with my eight credit card boosts and if I had a reserve card holder give me their two boosts.
Remember, Skymiles is a FREQUENT FLIER PROGRAM. You're not a Frequent Flier.
Sep 27, 2017, 1:30 pm
#1117
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
I flew on a lot of expensive last minute tickets this year, and a lot of paid FC on personal trips. I BARELY (though I had the Amex waiver anyways) made the MQD for PM. It is surprisingly difficult when DL takes away what feels like half the fare for what they count as MQD.
It is very possible to have more than 125k MQM's and not hit the MQD waiver for DM.
It is very possible to have more than 125k MQM's and not hit the MQD waiver for DM.
Sep 27, 2017, 1:30 pm
#1118
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
Sep 27, 2017, 1:30 pm
#1119
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
However, I think that the card may be limited to HI & CA residents only... so if you are in UT, that may be all a moot point.
The Alliant Visa is a good second choice though, IMO.
Sep 27, 2017, 1:42 pm
#1120
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
NO, they didn't impact anyone with a foreign address or who was able to get a foreign address on their DL FF account.
Moreover, MQD requirements didn't really affect anyone who was already spending at least $25,000 per year on DL AmEx cards, which would include a large fraction of those with at least one DL AmEx Plat or Reserve card. It was never something of concern to folks in this group.
Moreover, MQD requirements didn't really affect anyone who was already spending at least $25,000 per year on DL AmEx cards, which would include a large fraction of those with at least one DL AmEx Plat or Reserve card. It was never something of concern to folks in this group.
Sep 27, 2017, 1:43 pm
#1121
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
If Delta is really concerned with rewarding loyalty they would have made this change at all levels and not granted a waiver for foreign addresses.
Sep 27, 2017, 2:09 pm
#1123
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
if you’re stuck grinding out IND-DTW-FNT or something as a segment warrior, I get how this could seem crazy... but unless you’re always flying last minute business, an international traveler with a modicum or advance planning is going to hit MQM long, long before MQD in the seattle market.
Sep 27, 2017, 2:12 pm
#1124
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: KC MO
Programs: Delta PM MM. Marriott LTP. Hilton Gold
Posts: 67
I have flown a decent amount this year and used PWM on three itineraries when cheap flights to Europe were available from all over the country. This will be my first year with Diamond and will be my final year unless something in my career changes.
On that, Platinum has treated my well since 2013. I fly none frequent routes at weird times. My upgrades are near 90% this year when I avoid ATL and they only fall to roughly 75% when connecting in ATL. Of those 12 flights with the opportunity for upgrade where I sat in economy, I finished #1 for 0 eight times. I will shoot for Platinum from now on and won't be afraid to fly PE from LAX on China Airlines because Diamond is now out of the question.
In case my stats don't post:
MQMs: 109,352
MQSs: 63
MQDs: $6,907
Card Spend: $25K
On that, Platinum has treated my well since 2013. I fly none frequent routes at weird times. My upgrades are near 90% this year when I avoid ATL and they only fall to roughly 75% when connecting in ATL. Of those 12 flights with the opportunity for upgrade where I sat in economy, I finished #1 for 0 eight times. I will shoot for Platinum from now on and won't be afraid to fly PE from LAX on China Airlines because Diamond is now out of the question.
In case my stats don't post:
MQMs: 109,352
MQSs: 63
MQDs: $6,907
Card Spend: $25K
Sep 27, 2017, 2:19 pm
#1125
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
You will generally earn MORE DL EQDs if you fly a on a partner’s ticket stock—at least for international flights.