DM or PM for 2019
Apr 29, 2018, 4:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
lol
I have 32 segments into or out of ATL so far this year, only 5 of them didn't clear, and of those five, 3 were last-minute IRROPs rebookings (literally rebooked after upgrades had been processed) and 1 was a last-second SDS where I only got a seat because somebody no-showed.
I have 32 segments into or out of ATL so far this year, only 5 of them didn't clear, and of those five, 3 were last-minute IRROPs rebookings (literally rebooked after upgrades had been processed) and 1 was a last-second SDS where I only got a seat because somebody no-showed.
Apr 29, 2018, 6:14 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA
Posts: 85
I caveated that if you fly off peak you have a chance. I've had 38 segments into or out of Atlanta so far this year and I have had only three clear (two of those were leisure travel where I made it on one leg and the other one was due to IRROPS where a 753 got swapped with a 767). I would have cleared on the IRROPS and one of the two leisure segments as a Platinum - so right now out of 38 segments I have received 1 upgrade extra as a Diamond. For me, that is not sufficient enough to make a difference - hence my claim.
I suspect upgrades on Platinum will become almost totally non-existent as the ranks swell with the new Diamond MQD waiver in effect.
Apr 29, 2018, 6:36 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Not that Plats will get regular upgrades out of Atlanta - but you get what I'm saying.
Apr 29, 2018, 7:09 pm
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Apr 29, 2018, 7:10 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA
Posts: 85
Wouldn't the end of the MQD waiver theoretically increase the number of Platinum upgrades? It used to be Platinums competed with MQD waiver Diamonds and would always lose to them - now they compete as Platinums and would win in a head to head against them if they have a higher fare class, etc.
Not that Plats will get regular upgrades out of Atlanta - but you get what I'm saying.
Not that Plats will get regular upgrades out of Atlanta - but you get what I'm saying.
Apr 29, 2018, 9:04 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Ridiculous. My flights are almost always Mondays and Fridays and when I go to/from ATL I am over 80% for the year.
Apr 29, 2018, 11:24 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
So seems you are flying domestically too from what I can gather. The RUCs for being PM and as DM you could get 8 more I believe. The best way I've found to use my GUCs is to find flights and fares that I want, call the DM desk and see if they have upgrade seats available and confirm them at the time of booking. It's easiest on KLM I found since usually I'm booking 6+ months out early and they have lots of open Z fares at that time. Delta on the other hand seems to block lots of the upgrade seats off to sell (LAX-HND/LHR) which doesn't help. It's not impossible since I got a LAX-AMS on the upcoming new DL flight to work recently.
In general, Delta has made it really complicated and full of oh sorry, rule #145 ,243.3 doesn't allow that.
Stay at home and not worry about getting DM.
In general, Delta has made it really complicated and full of oh sorry, rule #145 ,243.3 doesn't allow that.
Stay at home and not worry about getting DM.
Apr 30, 2018, 7:15 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
If you are getting regularly upgraded during peak hours please let me know which routes so I can get in on the action 😂
Apr 30, 2018, 7:21 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Smyrna, GA, USA
Programs: DL FO 1MM
Posts: 1,761
I've said that it depends on your individual situation....
if you've read this far down and are still on the fence, then my suggestion is:
if you think you can requal platinum for 2020 _without_ the 50k rollover, then go ahead and go for Diamond for '19 and see for yourself how much you like it.
if you've read this far down and are still on the fence, then my suggestion is:
if you think you can requal platinum for 2020 _without_ the 50k rollover, then go ahead and go for Diamond for '19 and see for yourself how much you like it.
Apr 30, 2018, 7:44 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
I am upgraded to ATL at 2 PM today which is typical. I am out of ATL at 7:30 PM tonight and upgraded in advance. A week ago Friday, I was upgraded into ATL on a 10 AM departure and upgraded out of ATL at 2 PM or so.
Apr 30, 2018, 10:02 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium, , Delta 2MM & DM UA Gold
Posts: 299
I just think that with the new requirement on the Amex Card Spend there will be considerably less Diamonds next year, especially those that travel just domestically. So I would recommend going for it and getting a thinned out version of the Diamond herd. If you are still not getting upgrades next year, then it probably doesnt make sense for many of us to try, and Delta would have done what they have wanted to do for awhile.
Apr 30, 2018, 10:11 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
I just think that with the new requirement on the Amex Card Spend there will be considerably less Diamonds next year, especially those that travel just domestically. So I would recommend going for it and getting a thinned out version of the Diamond herd. If you are still not getting upgrades next year, then it probably doesnt make sense for many of us to try, and Delta would have done what they have wanted to do for awhile.
Apr 30, 2018, 10:53 am
#29
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: 100,368
Wouldn't the end of the MQD waiver theoretically increase the number of Platinum upgrades? It used to be Platinums competed with MQD waiver Diamonds and would always lose to them - now they compete as Platinums and would win in a head to head against them if they have a higher fare class, etc.
Not that Plats will get regular upgrades out of Atlanta - but you get what I'm saying.
Not that Plats will get regular upgrades out of Atlanta - but you get what I'm saying.
With a large number of current DMs becoming PMs next year due to the increased AmEx spend requirement for the MQD waiver, I would expect there to be not only more PMs but also more PM upgrades to FC because some flights will have fewer DMs than upgrade seats available, unless of course DL proceeds to pursue FCM even more aggressively. The movement of DMs to PM will mean that PMs traveling on high fare classes will get some FC upgrades, whether or not they previously were DM or PM, while those using lower fare classes (including presumably most of the former DMs since they will become PMs partly because they cannot meet the MQD requirement for DM/PM) won't see many upgrades into FC.
With a bigger pool of people lumped together into the PM status level, within the group the second priority item, namely fare class, will become crucial, and people might notice more flights using tie breakers that are lower on the list, so it might make more difference on the bubble for a PM to have the Reserve card, be a corporate traveler, etc.
With a bigger pool of people lumped together into the PM status level, within the group the second priority item, namely fare class, will become crucial, and people might notice more flights using tie breakers that are lower on the list, so it might make more difference on the bubble for a PM to have the Reserve card, be a corporate traveler, etc.
Apr 30, 2018, 12:18 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
I think FT dramatically overestimates the number of MQD Waiver Diamonds. The majority of Delta Diamonds are hub captives and - outside of JFK - pay a price for that. Those in outstations are more likely to use the waiver (due to cheaper flights from connection competition) but are also less likely to be in competition for upgrades from hub-captive Diamonds. I think the overall impact will be smaller than most people think, especially with the ongoing aggressive FCM.
