Hey Delta, why no PLUTONIUM Medallion tier?
Dec 26, 2017, 12:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
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Hey Delta, why no PLUTONIUM Medallion tier?
There are a billion Diamond Medallions out there. On my DTW>NRT flight, the pilot thanked the FOURTEEN million milers on-board. On my routine ATL>SNA flight, on a measly 757, there were no fewer than a dozen, and possibly 20 DMs. The clubs are littered with them.
Instead of making changes to DM requirements (which is a good thing, but not good enough, IMHO), why not just introduce a new PLUTONIUM Medallion tier? D360 is too random and clandestine, so instead of relying on an invite-only tier, why not set a new level for the above-Diamond flyer?
I'm sure this isn't a new suggestion, by any means, but I'd like to see a published Delta Medallion tier that is something like 200,000 MQMs and $25,000 MQDs. That gives unlimited automatic Global Upgrades above Diamond+GUC. Maybe even 250,000 MQMs + $30,000 MQDs (which, conveniently, is about where I am ;-)
That sounds reasonable, and would provide us with a TRULY "Elite" flyer status. The herd is just too thick in DM, even with the new $250K waiver.
What thinkest thou?
Instead of making changes to DM requirements (which is a good thing, but not good enough, IMHO), why not just introduce a new PLUTONIUM Medallion tier? D360 is too random and clandestine, so instead of relying on an invite-only tier, why not set a new level for the above-Diamond flyer?
I'm sure this isn't a new suggestion, by any means, but I'd like to see a published Delta Medallion tier that is something like 200,000 MQMs and $25,000 MQDs. That gives unlimited automatic Global Upgrades above Diamond+GUC. Maybe even 250,000 MQMs + $30,000 MQDs (which, conveniently, is about where I am ;-)
That sounds reasonable, and would provide us with a TRULY "Elite" flyer status. The herd is just too thick in DM, even with the new $250K waiver.
What thinkest thou?
Dec 26, 2017, 12:57 am
#3
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I know, and I mentioned that in my OP, but that's clandestine and invite-only. There is no way to get there based upon just simple MQD+MQM.
A 200K + $25K or higher Medallion level would make a clear distinction between the riff-raff and those who are truly loyal and contribute to DL's bottom line.
Just some post-Christmas ramblings from my hotel room in Glasgow. ;-)
A 200K + $25K or higher Medallion level would make a clear distinction between the riff-raff and those who are truly loyal and contribute to DL's bottom line.
Just some post-Christmas ramblings from my hotel room in Glasgow. ;-)
Dec 26, 2017, 1:12 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
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I know, and I mentioned that in my OP, but that's clandestine and invite-only. There is no way to get there based upon just simple MQD+MQM.
A 200K + $25K or higher Medallion level would make a clear distinction between the riff-raff and those who are truly loyal and contribute to DL's bottom line.
Just some post-Christmas ramblings from my hotel room in Glasgow. ;-)
A 200K + $25K or higher Medallion level would make a clear distinction between the riff-raff and those who are truly loyal and contribute to DL's bottom line.
Just some post-Christmas ramblings from my hotel room in Glasgow. ;-)
Dec 26, 2017, 1:15 am
#5
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OK, signing off for now. Wife and I headed to Dornie Castle and Isle of Skye. ;-)
Dec 26, 2017, 3:40 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
It's also comical to think someone with $30K MQD deserves unlimited comp global upgrades...talk to 360's spending 6 figures who don't get that.
Dec 26, 2017, 5:03 am
#7
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Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
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How did you know there were 12-20 DMs on that flight?
Dec 26, 2017, 6:11 am
#8
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There is this one: Kryptonium Medallion
Dec 26, 2017, 6:57 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,906
So What should happen to a customer who has earned DM status every year since its inception, and who was a PM for a decade before that, and now has millions of SkyMiles stored. He chooses to pay with miles, keeps earning MQMs but not MQDs. He spends 6 figures on Amex cards but falls short of a quarter million dollars. IMO, WPM tickets should count towards Meds as would a Delta cash voucher count.
Dec 26, 2017, 7:38 am
#13
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No need to further segment travelers, maybe just raise the qualifications.
Many carriers have a tier with unpublished criteria such as DL's 360, e.g. UA's GS and BA's Premier. Part of that is just marketing hype because everyone wants to be part of an exclusive club and the other part is that those tiers are not just about what you spend but about the spend you control. The CFO of a large organization may not spend much at all, but he controls his organization's spend and that spend amounts to $Millions, making him feel special is well worth it.
Bottom line is that it really is about net revenue not revenue. Flying lots of TPAC paid D1 does more for the bottom line than the same spend on most micro-hauls.
Many carriers have a tier with unpublished criteria such as DL's 360, e.g. UA's GS and BA's Premier. Part of that is just marketing hype because everyone wants to be part of an exclusive club and the other part is that those tiers are not just about what you spend but about the spend you control. The CFO of a large organization may not spend much at all, but he controls his organization's spend and that spend amounts to $Millions, making him feel special is well worth it.
Bottom line is that it really is about net revenue not revenue. Flying lots of TPAC paid D1 does more for the bottom line than the same spend on most micro-hauls.
Dec 26, 2017, 7:42 am
#14
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So What should happen to a customer who has earned DM status every year since its inception, and who was a PM for a decade before that, and now has millions of SkyMiles stored. He chooses to pay with miles, keeps earning MQMs but not MQDs. He spends 6 figures on Amex cards but falls short of a quarter million dollars. IMO, WPM tickets should count towards Meds as would a Delta cash voucher count.
What he's going to get is platinum status.
Safe travels.
Dec 26, 2017, 7:45 am
#15
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I don't fly a ton compared to people here, I don't do mileage runs, I don't do manufactured spend, I only did about 70k butt-in-seat miles in 2017 and I made diamond this year thanks to a combination of class bonus, and rollover (and relatively high MQDs).
It's too easy if I'm getting it.
It's too easy if I'm getting it.