Avoid DM qualification
Nov 2, 2017, 7:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 42
Avoid DM qualification
I am trying to avoid qualifying for DM in order to carry over the MQMs and instead just quality at Platinum. I have arranged my travel schedule (by avoiding some Delta flights) to end up 300 miles short of DM at 124,700 miles. I have heard that Delta will arbitrarily qualify people close to the threshold to DM, and that there is no way to prevent them from doing so or reversing the decision they make. Is that the case? And if I am so close to DM, is there anything I can do to prevent Delta from moving me up to DM. I am currently DM, but really have found no big advantage relative to PM, which I had been for the 10 prior years.
Nov 2, 2017, 7:50 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
I seriously doubt they will bump you up so I would not worry about it
I held short a couple of times until I saw the error of my ways...don't know I was ever that close though
I would never hold short again, but that is just me
I held short a couple of times until I saw the error of my ways...don't know I was ever that close though
I would never hold short again, but that is just me
Nov 2, 2017, 9:17 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 42
Holding short
I am curious as to why you find DM so much better. Since 90% of my flying is international business class, I usually have lounge access on my trips. Domestic upgrades are of little value since my domestic travel is limited. International upgrades are of some value, but, 90% of work travel is paid business. I imagine if I was traveling domestically DM would look far more valuable.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:18 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
I am trying to avoid qualifying for DM in order to carry over the MQMs and instead just quality at Platinum. I have arranged my travel schedule (by avoiding some Delta flights) to end up 300 miles short of DM at 124,700 miles. I have heard that Delta will arbitrarily qualify people close to the threshold to DM, and that there is no way to prevent them from doing so or reversing the decision they make. Is that the case? And if I am so close to DM, is there anything I can do to prevent Delta from moving me up to DM. I am currently DM, but really have found no big advantage relative to PM, which I had been for the 10 prior years.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:24 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern California
Programs: DL DM Charter, 2.9MM; 2019 PM and falling; Kettle everywhere else
Posts: 243
Those of us who don't fly primarily international business, find a great deal of benefit from DM status. My 90% of travel is domestic Y.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:25 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
Nov 2, 2017, 10:31 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
I am curious as to why you find DM so much better. Since 90% of my flying is international business class, I usually have lounge access on my trips. Domestic upgrades are of little value since my domestic travel is limited. International upgrades are of some value, but, 90% of work travel is paid business. I imagine if I was traveling domestically DM would look far more valuable.
Nov 2, 2017, 11:34 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
I am curious as to why you find DM so much better. Since 90% of my flying is international business class, I usually have lounge access on my trips. Domestic upgrades are of little value since my domestic travel is limited. International upgrades are of some value, but, 90% of work travel is paid business. I imagine if I was traveling domestically DM would look far more valuable.
For me it is upgrades, choice benefits, and SC.
I am basically two customers rolled into one:
International J PM (4 weeks a year)
Domestic cheap fare coach GM (48 weeks a year)
75+50=125 (DM)
So my international J is subsidizing me the rest of the year when I do the hard stuff.
Can't imagine living with a lower upgrade % or having to pay for SC.
Nov 2, 2017, 12:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MKE
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 904
Co-worker was in the same boat last year. Had something like 124,9XX MQMs and they bumped them up to Diamond.
Called in early January and DL had no problem moving back to Platinum and re-instating the rollover.
Won't say this will happen to you, but DL somehow forgot to take back the Diamond choice benefits
Called in early January and DL had no problem moving back to Platinum and re-instating the rollover.
Won't say this will happen to you, but DL somehow forgot to take back the Diamond choice benefits
Nov 2, 2017, 1:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
That spend is amazingly low if you're getting close to 125k MQMs primarily in int'l business class. That would be about 83k BIS miles, so you're getting int'l J for around $0.25/mile, which is a hell of a deal.
Nov 2, 2017, 1:57 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Plat, DL Gold
Posts: 101
