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
#962
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
#963
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
I'm not surprised Delta did this. However I think it will have some negative impacts. I am one of those people affected and in some ways see why they do what they do.
I think this would impact a lot of people with the value of rolled over miles who might try the every over year DM status or those that feel it's best to rack up as many as they can during heavy travel yours and save some of the benefit later. People will chose to either just fly using up their miles or fly other airlines to get status. This was one of the reasons for roll over miles, to retain people's spending after hitting the desired status
Also, I don't know why people would want to rack up that betting miles on the credit card because they are basically useless. $250,000 worth of spending on all other credit cards are worth all lot of significant amount of benefit. On Chase cards, with the 50% bonus on travel rewards, could range up to $3750-$11,250 in travel awards. Sorry AMEX!
I think this would impact a lot of people with the value of rolled over miles who might try the every over year DM status or those that feel it's best to rack up as many as they can during heavy travel yours and save some of the benefit later. People will chose to either just fly using up their miles or fly other airlines to get status. This was one of the reasons for roll over miles, to retain people's spending after hitting the desired status
Also, I don't know why people would want to rack up that betting miles on the credit card because they are basically useless. $250,000 worth of spending on all other credit cards are worth all lot of significant amount of benefit. On Chase cards, with the 50% bonus on travel rewards, could range up to $3750-$11,250 in travel awards. Sorry AMEX!
#964
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EP, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 1,001
#965
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
Not only that the IAP and FHR program has saved me a few thousand dollars this year already. None of the Chase cards offer anything comparable to those two benefits.
#966
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
All these posts that wonder how one can reach the MQMs to be a DM and not reach the MQD of $15K... completely clueless. MQM bonuses plus pay with miles MQMs ... it is easy... or at least it used to be. I don't know what percentage of DMs will lose the "title" but my wife and I make at least 2. Doesn't really matter because we don't play the upgrade game anyway... FCM has already taken most of that away.
#967
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: All of em more or less
Posts: 367
Haven't needed the waiver until travel decreased last year. We will see if I can keep DM if travel bounces back.
The big questions are "what Amex do I switch to?" And "when do I make the switch?" Because I am not sure what value the skymiles card has now....
The big questions are "what Amex do I switch to?" And "when do I make the switch?" Because I am not sure what value the skymiles card has now....
#968
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: RDU
Programs: DL PM, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 312
How does one fly 130K EQM and spend only $7800??
Here I was saying to myself reading this thread is why are all these people complaining-- if you're flying the required 125K miles of course you're going to meet the minimum MQD or whatever DL calls it.
You might be the lone exception.
Here I was saying to myself reading this thread is why are all these people complaining-- if you're flying the required 125K miles of course you're going to meet the minimum MQD or whatever DL calls it.
You might be the lone exception.
#969
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM, Hilton/Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
Maybe in a few years DL will do away with the program entirely, and just award medallion status based on an opaque profitability metric (like DL360, UA GS, and AA CK). Some will moan and become free agents, others will like it, but that's the probable endgame barring another major downturn.
#970
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
I go out of my way to stay with DL even when someone else will offer me a nonstop. So fine, DL will find someone else.
For years, I have argued to just get rid of the archaic concept of BIS miles in any event. Make it completely $$$ based.
#971
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Outside of Cleveland Ohio
Programs: UA *G. DL ̶G̶O̶L̶D̶ Member, Hilton/SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 362
Hopefully this doesn't start UA and AA thinking about raising their top tier to $15K and 125,000!
#972
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
If you are buying FC or D1 and fly with your wife and family (assuming they are also flying in the same class as you), how are you NOT hitting the $15k MQD annually? The math just doesn't add up.
#974
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
Anyone who takes 9 round trip flights that last 15 hours each way at $450 a flight is not the type of flier that Delta wants as a DM. That person makes ZERO money for Delta and actually costs Delta money if that person spends his way to DM status by charging $25k on his/her Amex Delta card.
But not profitable for them? If the scenario I laid out was all I did, sure. But I also take more expensive flights, and I also sit on way too many miles that I should redeem, but instead I let devalue. And I also steer a lot of my family business to Delta.
I'm not their favorite, but I'm pretty sure that on balance they're still making OK money from me.
#975
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
Well, I know I'm not Delta's ideal customer. That part is easy.
But not profitable for them? If the scenario I laid out was all I did, sure. But I also take more expensive flights, and I also sit on way too many miles that I should redeem, but instead I let devalue. And I also steer a lot of my family business to Delta.
I'm not their favorite, but I'm pretty sure that on balance they're still making OK money from me.
But not profitable for them? If the scenario I laid out was all I did, sure. But I also take more expensive flights, and I also sit on way too many miles that I should redeem, but instead I let devalue. And I also steer a lot of my family business to Delta.
I'm not their favorite, but I'm pretty sure that on balance they're still making OK money from me.
Everyone can complain about this new requirement, but the reality is that AA and UA are, IMHO, significantly worse as a product that Delta. If this changes really means that much to the affected person, then they are obviously free to take their dollars to another airline.