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, 10:13 am
#662
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 503
I have been annually MS'ing my way up to $25k on the Amex right away in January, just so i have it. And then I end up qualifying with MQD's anyway.
I'm tempted to go for the $250k now, ha. Although jesus that is a fulltime job in itself and I don't even think most of the old MS methods work anymore.
$250k is seriously extreme. I wonder how many Diamonds got there through the waiver alone.
I'm tempted to go for the $250k now, ha. Although jesus that is a fulltime job in itself and I don't even think most of the old MS methods work anymore.
$250k is seriously extreme. I wonder how many Diamonds got there through the waiver alone.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:14 am
#663
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
The good news is that the MQD requirement is still $15,000 for DM.
I wonder what AmEx thinks.....or even if DL informed them of this change in advance.
It's interesting that the email from DL gives your stats on spend for the waiver as well as MQDs.
I wonder what AmEx thinks.....or even if DL informed them of this change in advance.
It's interesting that the email from DL gives your stats on spend for the waiver as well as MQDs.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:15 am
#666
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Woodstock, GA USA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Delta DM & 1MM, Hertz and Avis President's Circle
Posts: 906
Why don't they just say there's no MQD waiver for Diamond. A 10X increase is a joke. That's Centurion card level spending. Yeah, I may qualify with MQDs on tickets. But what's the point of the card except to get the 30K MQMs and then walk away. If you're going to increase the annual spend amount, then add some more MQM thresholds. $250K is $7,250 in revenue for Amex versus $1,750 for the $60K spend now to get the MQMs. My annual spend last year was close to $100K. Unless I get a 5 level promotion to EVP or Technical Fellow, I'm not going to hit $250K.
Last edited by GeorgeBurdell; Sep 26, 2017 at 10:21 am
Sep 26, 2017, 10:17 am
#667
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,511
I have been annually MS'ing my way up to $25k on the Amex right away in January, just so i have it. And then I end up qualifying with MQD's anyway.
I'm tempted to go for the $250k now, ha. Although jesus that is a fulltime job in itself and I don't even think most of the old MS methods work anymore.
$250k is seriously extreme. I wonder how many Diamonds got there through the waiver alone.
I'm tempted to go for the $250k now, ha. Although jesus that is a fulltime job in itself and I don't even think most of the old MS methods work anymore.
$250k is seriously extreme. I wonder how many Diamonds got there through the waiver alone.
Let me be the first to say that this IS the final straw that will make me cancel my AMEX Reserve before next year’s Annual fee is due.
Ive switched most of my flying to OW anyway.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:17 am
#668
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: ATL - DL DM/3MM - HH Lifetime Diamond - Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 3,117
For me, Diamond in 2018, Plat in 2019 then playing the field. I've got 2 DL Reserve cards and the DL Plat card. Going to reduce this to just 1. Hope their getting what they wanted from this.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:19 am
#669
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
Rene was more right than wrong. How many people put $250,000 on a card? The number has to be miniscule. Even with significant business expenses that can be charged, I only spend around $200,000 per year. Even you charge at that astronomical level, why would anyone want to put all $250,000 on a single Amex Reserve card when they stop giving 1.5 miles per dollar and MQM bonuses after the first $60,000? Are you going to put $190,000 on the card for 1 skymile per dollar?
EDIT: The email describes my spend in 2016 as the total of what I spent across both of my two Delta Amex cards (personal and business). Thus, it appears that one could keep two cards and get 1.5 miles per dollar and MQM bonuses on $120,000 of spend, leaving $130,000 left to go to reach a diamond waiver for which you would receive only 1 skymile per dollar spent.
EDIT: The email describes my spend in 2016 as the total of what I spent across both of my two Delta Amex cards (personal and business). Thus, it appears that one could keep two cards and get 1.5 miles per dollar and MQM bonuses on $120,000 of spend, leaving $130,000 left to go to reach a diamond waiver for which you would receive only 1 skymile per dollar spent.
Last edited by GatorBlues; Sep 26, 2017 at 10:25 am
Sep 26, 2017, 10:20 am
#671
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 503
For anyone who wants to see the notice straight from the horse's mouth....
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en..._prhd#dmwaiver
They sent me an email showing my recent years' MQDs and that I should still qualify (if...).
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en..._prhd#dmwaiver
They sent me an email showing my recent years' MQDs and that I should still qualify (if...).
Sep 26, 2017, 10:21 am
#672
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con.../PQD-FAQs.aspx
AA doesn't have a waiver for any elite level EQD requirement although spending on some cards can get extra EQD.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l#post28713178
Sep 26, 2017, 10:22 am
#673
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: North America
Programs: DL Diamond, former UA1K MM lifetime (left UA for DL), FPCPlat, DL Biz and Plat Amex
Posts: 644
$250,000 pqm spend requirement 2019?
as a Diamond, I just received an email alerting me to an increase in spend level threshold from $25,000 to $250,000. It seemed to have my cc spend history about right.
is this for real, a phish or a scam?
senders last name "Dupe"
is this for real, a phish or a scam?
senders last name "Dupe"
Sep 26, 2017, 10:22 am
#674
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
Thinning the heard.
I travel enough to hit DM, but because my corp requires purchasing the cheapest ticket, I am often under the MQD threshold.
$250k is ridiculous. All my corp travel spend won't even add up to that.
I travel enough to hit DM, but because my corp requires purchasing the cheapest ticket, I am often under the MQD threshold.
$250k is ridiculous. All my corp travel spend won't even add up to that.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:22 am
#675
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
It Was a Good Run While It Lasted
I just cleared the DM hurdle on this weekend's travel; I now have 126,105 MQMs (including a 29,000+ rollover) on a spend of $7,854.00 (I cleared the $25k AMEX waiver a few weeks ago). I probably will spend another $2k or so before the end of the year, and will probably end up with around 140k MQMs and about $10k MQDs.
It is now getting to the point that WFBF will be the rule, not the exception. It certainly is on all the good routes with enhanced in flight services.
As long as I have pre-check, get a free checked bag and lounge access on SkyTeam partners, I'll be OK. I won't travel as much as I currently do, but on the trips I take to the west coast, I'll use FCM deals when I feel that I need F seating.
It is now getting to the point that WFBF will be the rule, not the exception. It certainly is on all the good routes with enhanced in flight services.
As long as I have pre-check, get a free checked bag and lounge access on SkyTeam partners, I'll be OK. I won't travel as much as I currently do, but on the trips I take to the west coast, I'll use FCM deals when I feel that I need F seating.