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
Dec 4, 2018, 7:36 pm
#1876
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,884
I have an MQD/MQM rollover question I haven't seen answered:
If I have 187K MQM for the year, but only qualified for Platinum because I didn't meet MQD spend (but got the 25K spend waiver), do I rollover 112 MQM (from the Platinum level) or do I rollover only 62K (from the Diamond level).
To make it clearer, if I had earned 125K but only hit the lower MQD waiver for Platinum, do I lose all the MQM?
If I have 187K MQM for the year, but only qualified for Platinum because I didn't meet MQD spend (but got the 25K spend waiver), do I rollover 112 MQM (from the Platinum level) or do I rollover only 62K (from the Diamond level).
To make it clearer, if I had earned 125K but only hit the lower MQD waiver for Platinum, do I lose all the MQM?
Dec 6, 2018, 8:52 am
#1877
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 685
As a waiver data point, I requested a waiver with the following stats:
- MQM: 179k
- MQDs: ~$6,300
Dec 6, 2018, 2:52 pm
#1881
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
For the coming year, I am going to no longer strive for the 250k threshold. Instead, I will shift the spend to other types of reward cards (cash back or hotels) and purchase the business class fares that make sense for me. It just so happens that I decided to hop on two of the AM UIO Business Class runs because the out of pocket expense of those trips (all things considered is about $1000). To me that's worth doing the trip to get the choice benefits of upgrade certificates, club membership and gifting gold or miles. In 2020, I'll have to reevaluate the relative value of the benefits versus the additional MQD running I'd have to do.
Dec 6, 2018, 7:00 pm
#1882
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
There is a certain appeal to the fringe benefits of DM. When it was so easy to obtain with credit card spend on multiple amexes, it was a no brainer. I was granted a waiver with just under the Amex spend of 25k with about 7k MQDs and 240k+ MQMs. I usually fly about 50-60 segments a year. So, I'm not enough to make DM organically, but enough to realize the benefits.
For the coming year, I am going to no longer strive for the 250k threshold. Instead, I will shift the spend to other types of reward cards (cash back or hotels) and purchase the business class fares that make sense for me. It just so happens that I decided to hop on two of the AM UIO Business Class runs because the out of pocket expense of those trips (all things considered is about $1000). To me that's worth doing the trip to get the choice benefits of upgrade certificates, club membership and gifting gold or miles. In 2020, I'll have to reevaluate the relative value of the benefits versus the additional MQD running I'd have to do.
For the coming year, I am going to no longer strive for the 250k threshold. Instead, I will shift the spend to other types of reward cards (cash back or hotels) and purchase the business class fares that make sense for me. It just so happens that I decided to hop on two of the AM UIO Business Class runs because the out of pocket expense of those trips (all things considered is about $1000). To me that's worth doing the trip to get the choice benefits of upgrade certificates, club membership and gifting gold or miles. In 2020, I'll have to reevaluate the relative value of the benefits versus the additional MQD running I'd have to do.
Dec 6, 2018, 8:44 pm
#1883
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
Same reply as my post above. I get it for the pattern you describe - my question was referencing people who literally shy away from flying (or flying DL) after earning DM.
That said, I can see having a bajillion roll-over MQMs and, at least with the $25K DM waiver, having it "just because" it's almost impossible NOT to, but still...
Dec 7, 2018, 8:48 am
#1884
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
That seems so counter-intuitive, to me. Why would you make DM, then forego taking advantage of the benefits DM offers?
That said, I can see having a bajillion roll-over MQMs and, at least with the $25K DM waiver, having it "just because" it's almost impossible NOT to, but still...
That said, I can see having a bajillion roll-over MQMs and, at least with the $25K DM waiver, having it "just because" it's almost impossible NOT to, but still...
Dec 7, 2018, 9:05 am
#1885
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
That seems so counter-intuitive, to me. Why would you make DM, then forego taking advantage of the benefits DM offers?
That said, I can see having a bajillion roll-over MQMs and, at least with the $25K DM waiver, having it "just because" it's almost impossible NOT to, but still...
That said, I can see having a bajillion roll-over MQMs and, at least with the $25K DM waiver, having it "just because" it's almost impossible NOT to, but still...
Dec 7, 2018, 2:21 pm
#1886
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
For those of you who've gotten the waiver, how long did it take to show up in your account after the Corp. Care Rep promised to waive the requirement? And how did it show up? Just 2019 status changed to Diamond?
Dec 7, 2018, 2:50 pm
#1887
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
To date, nothing has happened, so I followed up. They said that they had received a large number of requests and it is taking them about 2-3 weeks to have the change go live. I'll post here when and what happens with mine.
Dec 9, 2018, 7:25 pm
#1888
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 got a call a few days ago, and an hour later, it was done. No email, just a call.
My SkyMiles page now shows 2019 status as Diamond, the color changed, and the check box between MQDs and AMEX waiver is checked, even though I have met neither requirement. I'm really happy that Delta is doing this. They have earned my loyalty.
Bruce
My SkyMiles page now shows 2019 status as Diamond, the color changed, and the check box between MQDs and AMEX waiver is checked, even though I have met neither requirement. I'm really happy that Delta is doing this. They have earned my loyalty.
Bruce
Dec 9, 2018, 8:16 pm
#1889
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
I got a call a few days ago, and an hour later, it was done. No email, just a call.
My SkyMiles page now shows 2019 status as Diamond, the color changed, and the check box between MQDs and AMEX waiver is checked, even though I have met neither requirement. I'm really happy that Delta is doing this. They have earned my loyalty.
Bruce
My SkyMiles page now shows 2019 status as Diamond, the color changed, and the check box between MQDs and AMEX waiver is checked, even though I have met neither requirement. I'm really happy that Delta is doing this. They have earned my loyalty.
Bruce
I’m thinking (hoping) this is a one-time thing by Delta, and that waivers end with 2018, else why bother?