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 27, 2018, 9:46 pm
#1936
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174
Dec 28, 2018, 6:35 am
#1937
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
Those of us who play the Amex Spend game; it is just that, a game, of trying to get status without flying, or spending, a LOT. I ended up on the DM side of the fence so I don't care, but I'm sure I would be bummed if I ended up on the other, PM or lesser, side.
Delta can do whatever they want and that unfortunately also includes waiving their rules and letting someone jump the fence. I sense there must have been a memo circulated to tighten down the ropes, but a select few agents continue to grant waivers.
It's not like the waiver amount was announced mid-year, it was announced in September 2017. They had their reasons and the outrage cannot be of surprise to them.
Delta can do whatever they want and that unfortunately also includes waiving their rules and letting someone jump the fence. I sense there must have been a memo circulated to tighten down the ropes, but a select few agents continue to grant waivers.
It's not like the waiver amount was announced mid-year, it was announced in September 2017. They had their reasons and the outrage cannot be of surprise to them.
Jan 3, 2019, 10:14 am
#1938
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
I was granted the waiver by corporate customer care. But now that it’s 2019, I’m showing as only PM. Anyone else who was granted the waiver, what does your account look like?
Jan 3, 2019, 10:18 am
#1939
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
Gotta go with Door #2 on that one, Bob!
FWIW, I could have made the 250k with only $8,500 in more spend for 2018. I didn't think I would have the surge that I did in December. Nevertheless, I am now no longer going to attempt or rely on the MQD waiver, instead I will shift spend to other means and outright purchase more J travel (as opposed to relying predominately on J mileage redemptions).
Jan 3, 2019, 10:30 am
#1940
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,344
I would call as I think they may have to manually adjust your Medallion level. That's what they told me I would need to do when I was given a waiver and called in early 2018 about it because the waiver wasn't showing on my profile (still showed that I needed to get to $250K spend on the AmEx). I didn't meet the DM MQM threshold (decided to opt for the rollover instead given a change in location and potentially less travel over shorter distances too) so I won't be calling them myself to ask about it.
Jan 3, 2019, 10:33 am
#1941
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: Delta, Southwest, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 27
Jan 3, 2019, 1:22 pm
#1943
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
I sent an email yesterday on Delta's website requesting a waiver and it was granted today. For what it is worth, I have been a 2mm, diamond since inception and a platinum many years before that. I had 170K MQM, 210,000 AmEx spend, but was short on MQD.
Jan 3, 2019, 3:08 pm
#1944
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 685
Welcome to FT and thanks for the data point--well done!
Jan 3, 2019, 5:26 pm
#1945
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Skymiles Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 19
My DP,
MQM 137K
MQD 14.7K ($231 short)
Amex spending $26K
Sent an email on 1/1 and received a rejection today. They even use the MQM rollover to be implemented as an excuse.
A bit bit surprised and disappointed given all the data I have seen here.
MQM 137K
MQD 14.7K ($231 short)
Amex spending $26K
Sent an email on 1/1 and received a rejection today. They even use the MQM rollover to be implemented as an excuse.
A bit bit surprised and disappointed given all the data I have seen here.
Last edited by liger; Jan 4, 2019 at 11:15 pm
Jan 3, 2019, 8:46 pm
#1946
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
Similar boat here. I had 260k MQM, 241,000 Amex spend (although about 20k less when waiver was granted), and about 7k short of MQDs.
Jan 3, 2019, 9:12 pm
#1947
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
Yeah, I'd think 147K MQD would be a sure thing! Seriously though, Delta clearly values Amex spend as a revenue source. But shame on you for missing out by 231 MQDs.
Jan 3, 2019, 9:49 pm
#1948
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: FB Platinum, SM Diamond
Posts: 645
MQD 14.7K ... (not 147K)
Jan 5, 2019, 2:54 am
#1949
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Skymiles Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 19
Yes I did. Corrected. Thanks.
Also an update. I sent a reply after realizing that the agent wasn’t even looking at my account closely before sending out a rejection. She mentioned that many people asked for exception when MQM was not met, which was clearly not my case.
I got a response today granting me the waiver. The second agent apologized saying not all the agents were advised for this exemption. So I am all set now. Can already elect the choice benefits.
Jan 5, 2019, 6:54 am
#1950
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408