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 28, 2017, 12:20 pm
#1231
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
Also, it's one thing to mouth off on Twitter, will they actually change their behavior?
This whole thread has been rather amusing. I have PM status on Delta (MQM + Amex waiver) and AA (corporate status match). I do prefer Delta between the schedule as compared to my travel needs, and the service level. If I didn't have status with any airline, I would quite likely continue to fly Delta, for those same reasons.
Sep 28, 2017, 12:21 pm
#1232
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: DL DM, DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 275
Last edited by PirateJeff; Sep 29, 2017 at 5:43 pm
Sep 28, 2017, 12:23 pm
#1233
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: DL DM, DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 275
How many people are that, though, compared to the total number of medallions that will be affected?
Also, it's one thing to mouth off on Twitter, will they actually change their behavior?
This whole thread has been rather amusing. I have PM status on Delta (MQM + Amex waiver) and AA (corporate status match). I do prefer Delta between the schedule as compared to my travel needs, and the service level. If I didn't have status with any airline, I would quite likely continue to fly Delta, for those same reasons.
Also, it's one thing to mouth off on Twitter, will they actually change their behavior?
This whole thread has been rather amusing. I have PM status on Delta (MQM + Amex waiver) and AA (corporate status match). I do prefer Delta between the schedule as compared to my travel needs, and the service level. If I didn't have status with any airline, I would quite likely continue to fly Delta, for those same reasons.
I don't think AMEX will lose out here. Anyone who wants to cancel their DL Reserve will probably go to Platinum.
Sep 28, 2017, 12:26 pm
#1234
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
I posted on Twitter that the change benefited me so I agreed with it, and received 6 responses of agreement as well. No PM's lose, some PM's win and even some DM's win so there will be a variety of opinions.
At the end of the day, they are going to keep changing the program and there will be winners and losers and if I become a loser and it's no longer palatable to stay loyal, I won't. For 2018 I will.
At the end of the day, they are going to keep changing the program and there will be winners and losers and if I become a loser and it's no longer palatable to stay loyal, I won't. For 2018 I will.
For me it's going to mean getting $30K more a year in Am Ex spend in which normally wouldn't be a big deal but Hilton is moving to Am Ex on 1/1 and a lot of places don't accept Am Ex and on the years my travel is down I depend on the credit card spend to keep the diamond status. This will really impact people who struggle to get $25k in right now on the Am Ex.
Kind of like the Skyclub changes they made eliminating guesting. I LOVED the change (and wouldn't have minded even more restrictions such as eliminating regular Am Ex Platinum swipes and keeping it to members and the Delta Reserve Am Ex cards like the competition does with their lounges) but people who traveled with families were having a fit over it.
Sep 28, 2017, 12:39 pm
#1235
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
But I think they will on Diamonds. If a diamond has the card just for the MQD waiver and can meet Platinum with regular MQD spend why keep the card? And that $25K spend goes away as well. Or for multi cards holders like myself, even if we drop to PM and need the $25k spend why keep multiple cards since the MQM boosts are basically worthless. I'm sure not going to spend $220K a year for 100,000 MQMs if I'm PM with a nice rollover, again those annual fees and transaction fees on those charges are going bye bye for Am Ex.
Sep 28, 2017, 1:13 pm
#1236
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Nothing wrong with any of that, just saying that a twitter survey from a FTer's individual account probably doesn't have the most representative sample.
Sep 28, 2017, 1:34 pm
#1237
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: DL -DM, CO - PM
Posts: 73
Um. That is me. I do many many many cheap economy tickets for long haul flights around the world.
Sep 28, 2017, 2:05 pm
#1238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
Programs: Delta DM-3MM United Gold-MM Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 13,498
I'm in pretty much the same boat. I travel for business and personal reasons, but all of my trips, with few exceptions, are known so far in advance (years, sometimes) that I can get very cheap fares. My average cost per mile flown has been less than 10 cents for years and years. It's not that I'm so cheap; I'm just able to plan far ahead, a luxury not available to everybody.
Bruce
Bruce
Sep 28, 2017, 2:19 pm
#1239
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
I'm in pretty much the same boat. I travel for business and personal reasons, but all of my trips, with few exceptions, are known so far in advance (years, sometimes) that I can get very cheap fares. My average cost per mile flown has been less than 10 cents for years and years. It's not that I'm so cheap; I'm just able to plan far ahead, a luxury not available to everybody.
Bruce
Bruce
Sep 28, 2017, 2:26 pm
#1240
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: DL DM, DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 275
This, and probably not many of them taking surveys on Twitter, and even fewer of those following someone who would create/post a survey about a FF program.
Nothing wrong with any of that, just saying that a twitter survey from a FTer's individual account probably doesn't have the most representative sample.
Social media: Echo....echo.....echo...
To be clear, at the time I'm posting this, your survey has, literally, 9 total responses. I agree with your strong emphasis.
Nothing wrong with any of that, just saying that a twitter survey from a FTer's individual account probably doesn't have the most representative sample.
Social media: Echo....echo.....echo...
To be clear, at the time I'm posting this, your survey has, literally, 9 total responses. I agree with your strong emphasis.
It will be interesting to see the results once more people have participated. Despite thinking this is probably a poor move for Delta, I'm actually one who would benefit as I'm not far from the $15K MQD organically.
Sep 28, 2017, 2:27 pm
#1241
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
Sincerely, unaffected PM (for now)
Sep 28, 2017, 3:52 pm
#1242
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
Sep 28, 2017, 3:58 pm
#1243
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
250k MQM - 125k for DM in 2017 = rollover 125k MQM for 2018
- It is great that you followed all the rules and have enough rollover to make DM again in 2018, but you are only a PM now for the 2019 yr.
In 2020 - what I do not know - will they rollover MQM above 75k making you a GM with Amex 25k spend or are you a true nobody? as your 125 MQM is used up in 2019 as a (DM-fail-now)PM
Sep 28, 2017, 5:19 pm
#1244
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
Knowing the likelihood of huge cluster of Platinum Elites in 2019, it won't be long to seeing message like this for Platinums....
Jiburi
We are always looking for ways to improve the Medallion experience by listening to your feedback. Because we want to ensure our most well-traveled Members can take full advantage of all the benefits of Platinum Medallion Status, a change is being made to how Members qualify for 2019 Platinum Medallion Status.
Starting January 1, 2019, the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver for Platinum Medallion Status is increasing.... It is being adjusted to $100,000 in a calendar year.....but keep in mind that the MQD Waiver to qualify for all of the best-in-class benefits of Gold and Silver Medallion will remain at $25,000....
Starting January 1, 2019, the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver for Platinum Medallion Status is increasing.... It is being adjusted to $100,000 in a calendar year.....but keep in mind that the MQD Waiver to qualify for all of the best-in-class benefits of Gold and Silver Medallion will remain at $25,000....
Sep 28, 2017, 5:20 pm
#1245
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
They get 8 RUCs with one selection. If they use GUCs they are still getting some of that benefit on connecting domestic flights as well.
Also I'll note that the "if someone is doing X they're probably also doing Y" argument is terrible, especially in this case, since we're talking about a lot of gamers.
Also I'll note that the "if someone is doing X they're probably also doing Y" argument is terrible, especially in this case, since we're talking about a lot of gamers.
You sound quite salty about it. If the system is put into place and someone follows the rules how are they 'gaming'?
Delta should include the full price of tickets (taxes and fees included) as MQD. Right now, you could spend 15k in tickets but only earn 12k (or even less) in MQD.
Interestingly, this actually penalizes international travelers (with taxes and fuel surcharges) in favor of domestic purchasers (where taxes are far smaller of a portion of the bill).
I'd just set it at 20k or whatever and include the taxes and fees to make it easier on the customer.
Interestingly, this actually penalizes international travelers (with taxes and fuel surcharges) in favor of domestic purchasers (where taxes are far smaller of a portion of the bill).
I'd just set it at 20k or whatever and include the taxes and fees to make it easier on the customer.
So people who do smart things that best benefit them? These are the 'gamers' you are talking about.
I posted on Twitter that the change benefited me so I agreed with it, and received 6 responses of agreement as well. No PM's lose, some PM's win and even some DM's win so there will be a variety of opinions.
At the end of the day, they are going to keep changing the program and there will be winners and losers and if I become a loser and it's no longer palatable to stay loyal, I won't. For 2018 I will.
At the end of the day, they are going to keep changing the program and there will be winners and losers and if I become a loser and it's no longer palatable to stay loyal, I won't. For 2018 I will.