Going to miss Medallion Status by $8
Dec 19, 2017, 1:09 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,058
I think I will try to plead my case to delta - and maybe they even recorded the calls where I was told this would satisfy my MQDs
I will have significant MQMs rolled over, so that’s another plus to earning silver
hockeystl (go blues) - unfortunately I am not an expert on delta MQDs, so I called to make sure the base fare was all I was entitled to. They said no, some fees you can get as well, just not taxes. These are the same people who told me that Airbnb was a way to achieve medallion status (ended up booking my New Years holiday through them and was given only bonus miles) my flight is already booked through another airline, but rebooking through delta is MY LAST RESORT. I already spent $290 on a miles run and I don’t travel for work - so I’m trying to keep expenses down.
I found out about flyer talk through Reddit (a bit too late it seems) but I’m already a huge fan. Thanks for the help, everyone!
I will have significant MQMs rolled over, so that’s another plus to earning silver
hockeystl (go blues) - unfortunately I am not an expert on delta MQDs, so I called to make sure the base fare was all I was entitled to. They said no, some fees you can get as well, just not taxes. These are the same people who told me that Airbnb was a way to achieve medallion status (ended up booking my New Years holiday through them and was given only bonus miles) my flight is already booked through another airline, but rebooking through delta is MY LAST RESORT. I already spent $290 on a miles run and I don’t travel for work - so I’m trying to keep expenses down.
I found out about flyer talk through Reddit (a bit too late it seems) but I’m already a huge fan. Thanks for the help, everyone!
Dec 19, 2017, 3:11 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vietnam & USA
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 456
I've been Siver the last 15 years flying mostly TATL.
while less of an advantage than it used to be, it's still significantly better than nothing.
I had thought I'd be in the same predicament, missing Platinum by 200 MQD, but it's now NA.
in any case, while trying to figure out what to do, i KNOW i read someplace that you can just gift the money to dl and it goes towards your MQD.
Good luck.
while less of an advantage than it used to be, it's still significantly better than nothing.
I had thought I'd be in the same predicament, missing Platinum by 200 MQD, but it's now NA.
in any case, while trying to figure out what to do, i KNOW i read someplace that you can just gift the money to dl and it goes towards your MQD.
Good luck.
Dec 19, 2017, 3:36 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,058
I've been Siver the last 15 years flying mostly TATL.
while less of an advantage than it used to be, it's still significantly better than nothing.
I had thought I'd be in the same predicament, missing Platinum by 200 MQD, but it's now NA.
in any case, while trying to figure out what to do, i KNOW i read someplace that you can just gift the money to dl and it goes towards your MQD.
Good luck.
while less of an advantage than it used to be, it's still significantly better than nothing.
I had thought I'd be in the same predicament, missing Platinum by 200 MQD, but it's now NA.
in any case, while trying to figure out what to do, i KNOW i read someplace that you can just gift the money to dl and it goes towards your MQD.
Good luck.
Dec 19, 2017, 8:20 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: delta, southwest
Posts: 9
Cant attach a photo, but the last segment posted and I’m off by $2. Cheers to those who correctly assumed I did a RT with layover - it was (ORD - MSP - PHX, PHX - DTW - ORD).
I know delta customer service had one hell of a day Sunday and probably just as bad yesterday, but I’m working with them right now to see what they can do. I will keep everyone updated with their answer.
Ps - I understand that silver status isn’t a big deal to a lot of people, but I did this through personal travel on a tight budget, so it means a lot to me.
Dec 19, 2017, 8:36 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CMH
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (Silver), AAdvantage, Sun Country, FmrUS Airways Dividend Miles, Northwest WorldPerks
Posts: 353
Your mileage (no pun intended) may vary. I missed Silver by $9 a few years ago (thought the annual fee would count and it didn't) and didn't get rolled over.
Dec 19, 2017, 10:17 am
#21
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: 100,413
It sounds like you missed earning the MQD waiver. That could be very different than missing by just a little bit on actual MQD spend in that I'm not sure that DL can see total eligible spending on all of one's DL AmEx cards versus just whether the waiver (and associated MQMs on the Platinum and Reserve cards) have been earned or not.
Dec 19, 2017, 10:23 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Smyrna, GA, USA
Programs: DL FO 1MM
Posts: 1,761
I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of FT users would spend some time haggling to go from zero to silver status!
Dec 19, 2017, 12:21 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA-MKE-PHX
Programs: Ex DL-DM. MM. TWA-Aviator Plat. HHonors-DVIP, MR-Gold. Nat-Emerald. Avis Chairmn.
Posts: 1,925
Dec 20, 2017, 5:21 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: delta, southwest
Posts: 9
Hey all - update here. After spending over an hour on the phone with a Delta rep - I was told the only way I could earn status was to fly another segment, or purchase the package that boosts your MQDs at the end of the year ($295). When I informed them that I neither had the time nor the means to do either, I was told there was nothing they could do. I've also spoken to multiple reps via twitter, and they have told me that "while my situation is not ideal" they could help me with something else if I had another question.
I've flown Delta internationally for 10 years, and finally decided to attempt to achieve even minimal status as I am moving to France next year for school, and even the extra bag will be wonderful. After my experience with the misinformation that led me to book a $293 trip to achieve a status that eludes me by $2, I don't know if I will ever fly them again.
Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement, I hope you have wonderful holidays, and much better experiences with Delta than I ever have.
I've flown Delta internationally for 10 years, and finally decided to attempt to achieve even minimal status as I am moving to France next year for school, and even the extra bag will be wonderful. After my experience with the misinformation that led me to book a $293 trip to achieve a status that eludes me by $2, I don't know if I will ever fly them again.
Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement, I hope you have wonderful holidays, and much better experiences with Delta than I ever have.
Last edited by sararainey; Dec 20, 2017 at 5:24 pm Reason: a word
Dec 20, 2017, 7:55 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
This must be enormously frustrating. However, bending the rules on these threshholds is a slippery slope.If DL makes an exception for you, what about the person who needs just $5, or $10, or $15? Where should the second line be drawn? What about someone who has flown enough miles to meet the requirement for DM but has spent *only* $14,975?
Perhaps this will be an opportunity to try Norwegian Air!
Perhaps this will be an opportunity to try Norwegian Air!
Dec 20, 2017, 7:57 pm
#26
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: 100,413
DL seems to be especially reluctant to make exceptions since they started rollover MQMs and then selling MQMs/MQSs/MQDs at the end of the year.
Dec 20, 2017, 8:18 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Smyrna, GA, USA
Programs: DL FO 1MM
Posts: 1,761
This must be enormously frustrating. However, bending the rules on these threshholds is a slippery slope.If DL makes an exception for you, what about the person who needs just $5, or $10, or $15? Where should the second line be drawn? What about someone who has flown enough miles to meet the requirement for DM but has spent *only* $14,975?
Perhaps this will be an opportunity to try Norwegian Air!
Perhaps this will be an opportunity to try Norwegian Air!
Dec 20, 2017, 11:19 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA - Seattle area
Programs: DL Platinum, "alum" of high status with UA but not any more
Posts: 532
Not excatly the same situation, but . . .
I am silver. But I am sitting on 49,995 MQMs, and I already satisfied the MQD waiver with my Delta Amex. I am currently in Ukraine on a trip. My return travel is Dec. 27 KBP (Kiev)-AMS-SEA. So I'll have Gold for 2018. But it would certainly be nice to have Gold for the return trip next week in order to ensure lounge access and the other perqs. And I understand that my KBP-AMS leg, on which I will cross the gold threshold, does not mean my Gold status will be recognized for the AMS-SEA leg.
If anyone knows how I could somehow get 5 MQM's before Dec. 27 (without a mileage run), let me know. KLM still hasn't delivered my two checked bags to me, now more than 72 hours after my arrival, and full of Christmas gifts. 5 MQMs seems like it would be fair recompense.
If anyone knows how I could somehow get 5 MQM's before Dec. 27 (without a mileage run), let me know. KLM still hasn't delivered my two checked bags to me, now more than 72 hours after my arrival, and full of Christmas gifts. 5 MQMs seems like it would be fair recompense.
Dec 21, 2017, 7:36 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
I am silver. But I am sitting on 49,995 MQMs, and I already satisfied the MQD waiver with my Delta Amex. I am currently in Ukraine on a trip. My return travel is Dec. 27 KBP (Kiev)-AMS-SEA. So I'll have Gold for 2018. But it would certainly be nice to have Gold for the return trip next week in order to ensure lounge access and the other perqs. And I understand that my KBP-AMS leg, on which I will cross the gold threshold, does not mean my Gold status will be recognized for the AMS-SEA leg.
If anyone knows how I could somehow get 5 MQM's before Dec. 27 (without a mileage run), let me know. KLM still hasn't delivered my two checked bags to me, now more than 72 hours after my arrival, and full of Christmas gifts. 5 MQMs seems like it would be fair recompense.
If anyone knows how I could somehow get 5 MQM's before Dec. 27 (without a mileage run), let me know. KLM still hasn't delivered my two checked bags to me, now more than 72 hours after my arrival, and full of Christmas gifts. 5 MQMs seems like it would be fair recompense.
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