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, 2:32 pm
#886
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 148
I only fly about a dozen RT's per year. I get upgraded on maybe 4 of them. Pay for maybe 5 of them and sit in the back the rest.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:34 pm
#888
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,264
Nobody can predict the future, but clearly someone at DL with oodles of data crunched the numbers and was able to convince management that this move would a) decrease the number of lower-margin customers, b) increase the number of higher-margin customers, or c) both.
Balance that out with revenue gained/lost on the Amex side, and obviously DL thinks they will come out ahead in the end vs. status quo.
Balance that out with revenue gained/lost on the Amex side, and obviously DL thinks they will come out ahead in the end vs. status quo.
Somebody thought the same when jacking up mileage upgrades to 60k one-way from a Y fare.
Somebody thought the same when all the airlines tried to massively jack up pricing for multi-city tickets by prohibiting end-on-end travel.
Obviously Delta thinks they will come out ahead in the end for every single action they take, otherwise they would not take said action. After all, as others here never fail to point out, DL is running a business. Companies are perfectly capable of getting things wrong despite the best data, the best intentions, or both.
Last edited by javabytes; Sep 26, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Sep 26, 2017, 2:37 pm
#890
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I totally agree on all points. But that's really Delta's point. They want the "high spending" clients to be Diamonds... and those are the ones that buy first class tickets.
And yes, NO WAY in the world should someone spend $250k on the Delta card... or even one credit card. You could be elite in 3 or 4 organizations if you spread it out right! HAH!
And yes, NO WAY in the world should someone spend $250k on the Delta card... or even one credit card. You could be elite in 3 or 4 organizations if you spread it out right! HAH!
Anyone who works in the non-profit realm or works for a company with strict travel policies may have difficulty hitting the threshold, especially if it is increased from the present level of $15,000 per calendar year.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:38 pm
#892
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
When I was Plat on PMNW in like 2001 (yes, I'm old), and the highest status was Plat and you only had to earn 75K flight miles to get it, it was very rare to be Platinum and my UG success rate was unbelievably high. It just boggles my mind that a 125K tier needs to be thinned.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:38 pm
#893
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
1
I doubt as the sky club is still open to the Amex Plat and to the Increased DR card holders hoping for a "tie breaker" benefit
2 and 3
Anyone who can spend 250k and be a "jerk" can buy F class and finish your "free" upgrade chances.
You are really a frequent "low spender", not a high spender if you are hoping for an upgrade.
It really means DL does not care about any Medallion below DM.
If I was a high spender, I would rather buy a F class ticket (paid or miles) than buy economy hoping for "free" upgrade. Simple.
I doubt as the sky club is still open to the Amex Plat and to the Increased DR card holders hoping for a "tie breaker" benefit
2 and 3
Anyone who can spend 250k and be a "jerk" can buy F class and finish your "free" upgrade chances.
You are really a frequent "low spender", not a high spender if you are hoping for an upgrade.
It really means DL does not care about any Medallion below DM.
If I was a high spender, I would rather buy a F class ticket (paid or miles) than buy economy hoping for "free" upgrade. Simple.
You're right, I don't know that. But there will certainly be less DM's in 2019 and
1
that will make for a better experience boarding in Zone PREM, a better experience in the Sky Club, and
2
better chances for upgrades for higher spenders. I'm reading this forum looking at what some DMs have spent with Delta for 125,000 MQMs and it irritates me that I've spent FAR more on average in the last few years and only made PM.
3
All those "Dollar Store Diamonds" won't necessarily be ahead on the upgrade lists in 2019, and that's a good thing in my mind.
1
that will make for a better experience boarding in Zone PREM, a better experience in the Sky Club, and
2
better chances for upgrades for higher spenders. I'm reading this forum looking at what some DMs have spent with Delta for 125,000 MQMs and it irritates me that I've spent FAR more on average in the last few years and only made PM.
3
All those "Dollar Store Diamonds" won't necessarily be ahead on the upgrade lists in 2019, and that's a good thing in my mind.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:40 pm
#895
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EP, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 1,001
I didn't bother reading every page but I certainly don't see this as a devaluation. A frequent flyer program is rewarding people who spend more money on FLYING and on the amount FLOWN. Isn't this what it should be? I guess I'm missing something but it seems like this is what most Frequent Flyers have been demanding out of their FF programs.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:41 pm
#896
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,397
Sep 26, 2017, 2:42 pm
#897
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Plat, DL Gold
Posts: 101
How do you figure that? This is a huge boost for PMs.
OK? I don't see what that has to do with whether you're a high spender or not, or how that changes based on the new waiver threshold?
If I was a high spender, I would rather buy a F class ticket (paid or miles) than buy economy hoping for "free" upgrade. Simple.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:45 pm
#898
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
That math doesn't make sense though. As a mundane road warrior, I can tell you that they price our tickets in the $5-800 range so most road warriors who do 50 RT's are going to be spending $25-40K. I'm doing 35 RT's this year and will hit 20K spend. I'm paying more per mile to fly on DL than most.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:45 pm
#899
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
Think you missed the point of their post. Because of this change they’re cancelling their DL Amex and can now go back to shopping at Costco using their Visa cards because they are no longer tied to Amex to meet the waiver.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:46 pm
#900
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,028
No more need to use the Amex at all.
It wasn't about a trick.