It's Good to be Gold...
Nov 21, 2018, 10:47 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
Is Gold Medallion Worth It?
Hi Everyone!
I am currently 10,092 miles and $1297.60 short of being Gold Medallion on Delta. I know this depends on a lot of factors, but in general, do you feel that GM is worth it or should I let the miles roll over? Thanks in advance!
I am currently 10,092 miles and $1297.60 short of being Gold Medallion on Delta. I know this depends on a lot of factors, but in general, do you feel that GM is worth it or should I let the miles roll over? Thanks in advance!
Nov 21, 2018, 11:55 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: DL Plat, Marriot Plat
Posts: 349
Wrong thread. Should be in Delta, but totally depends on what you are looking for. Silver gets you the free bags and preferred seating for free. Depending on where you are flying out of Gold may get you more first class upgrades (of course unless you are travelling to/from a hub then forget it).
Nov 21, 2018, 2:06 pm
#48
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but ...
If you do a big push now in 2018 and get those additional miles, that will get you Gold for the little bit of 2018 left, plus all of 2019. But, if you let your current miles roll, and then get the additional miles during 2019, won't you immediately get Gold status for both the rest of 2019 AND all of 2020?
If you do a big push now in 2018 and get those additional miles, that will get you Gold for the little bit of 2018 left, plus all of 2019. But, if you let your current miles roll, and then get the additional miles during 2019, won't you immediately get Gold status for both the rest of 2019 AND all of 2020?
Nov 21, 2018, 2:14 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: DL Plat, Marriot Plat
Posts: 349
I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but ...
If you do a big push now in 2018 and get those additional miles, that will get you Gold for the little bit of 2018 left, plus all of 2019. But, if you let your current miles roll, and then get the additional miles during 2019, won't you immediately get Gold status for both the rest of 2019 AND all of 2020?
If you do a big push now in 2018 and get those additional miles, that will get you Gold for the little bit of 2018 left, plus all of 2019. But, if you let your current miles roll, and then get the additional miles during 2019, won't you immediately get Gold status for both the rest of 2019 AND all of 2020?
If OP does not fly any more miles, OP will rollover 10K MQMs meaning OP will need 40K flight miles in 2019 to obtain Gold. So depending on when this is achieved will depend on how long OP will be gold in 2019. Currently, OP has 40K MQMs now so similar flying pattern will have OP at 50K this time next year.
Nov 21, 2018, 3:32 pm
#50
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 354
I'm almost exclusively international travel (TATL typically) and find GM to be the sweet spot with Delta flying. Lounge access to shower either before your overnight flight or when you just landed from a 10+ daytime flight, free SDS when your flight lands early and you want a shot at getting home 2+ hours earlier. This last part is anecdotal, but it seems to our office that the upgrade offers to J during OLCI seem to largely go to STE+ people. But YMMV.
Keith
Keith
Nov 21, 2018, 4:09 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,882
If OP does not fly any more miles, OP will rollover 10K MQMs meaning OP will need 40K flight miles in 2019 to obtain Gold. So depending on when this is achieved will depend on how long OP will be gold in 2019. Currently, OP has 40K MQMs now so similar flying pattern will have OP at 50K this time next year.
So, not a slam-dunk.
ETA: If he pushes through to get the MQD and MQM to hit Gold before the end of this year, he will have Gold for the remainder of this year, all of 2019, and till Jan 31, 2020.
Nov 21, 2018, 4:29 pm
#52
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Nov 21, 2018, 5:32 pm
#54
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,107
You have access to the SkyClub at NRT if you're Gold or above and flying on DL (or any international SkyTeam flight, for that matter.) Details are here:
https://www.delta.com/us/en/delta-sky-club/access
On that page, scroll down to the SkyTeam Elite Plus section.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/delta-sky-club/access
On that page, scroll down to the SkyTeam Elite Plus section.
Nov 22, 2018, 1:34 am
#56
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
Depends really on what you want out of it all. Gold is pretty decent but also depends on how hard it is to get there.
Nov 22, 2018, 9:06 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
I've read the rules carefully and been sure I was OK, but been turned away. Alternatively, I've been suspicious I wouldn't be OK and been warmly waved in. My favorite is when I was flying from HNL to SJU. I can't convince myself that is an international trip, although it is a pretty long one. HNL kindly let me in. Might have been an "old lady" waiver? Who knows?
I have to admit I've pretty much given up trying to interpret the rules. I just dust myself off as best I can, and present myself at possibles. Politely and quietly go away if declined, although that rarely happens.
Nov 22, 2018, 7:14 pm
#58
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
As somebody else noted, one generally gets access when traveling international. Tricky though. Especially when there is only an affiliate lounge.
I've read the rules carefully and been sure I was OK, but been turned away. Alternatively, I've been suspicious I wouldn't be OK and been warmly waved in. My favorite is when I was flying from HNL to SJU. I can't convince myself that is an international trip, although it is a pretty long one. HNL kindly let me in. Might have been an "old lady" waiver? Who knows?
I have to admit I've pretty much given up trying to interpret the rules. I just dust myself off as best I can, and present myself at possibles. Politely and quietly go away if declined, although that rarely happens.
I've read the rules carefully and been sure I was OK, but been turned away. Alternatively, I've been suspicious I wouldn't be OK and been warmly waved in. My favorite is when I was flying from HNL to SJU. I can't convince myself that is an international trip, although it is a pretty long one. HNL kindly let me in. Might have been an "old lady" waiver? Who knows?
I have to admit I've pretty much given up trying to interpret the rules. I just dust myself off as best I can, and present myself at possibles. Politely and quietly go away if declined, although that rarely happens.
Dec 8, 2018, 9:11 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Just made GM again for the second year. I celebrated with 2 Woodfords yesterday on the flight segment that pushed me into GM for 2019. For such a measly accomplishment I figured I had to create my own fanfare as none was provided (or expected) from Delta. 
Upgrade to C+ is almost a given, and having Sky Priority every time for the shorter lines and priority baggage has been most useful for me vs FO. Also lounge access on international itineraries is a really nice benefit.
Upgrade to C+ is almost a given, and having Sky Priority every time for the shorter lines and priority baggage has been most useful for me vs FO. Also lounge access on international itineraries is a really nice benefit.
Dec 8, 2018, 9:34 am
#60
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 1
Wow! Seattle based and you've seen an upgrade as a Silver! My suggestion is to keep your expectations low and you will not be disappointed. I am a Diamond with lifetime Gold and use most, if not all, of the accommodations that Delta provides. SDC is probably one of the best, especially if you are on a paid FC ticket. The STE+ lounge access has historically been great, but many carriers are making changes to limit the access, so don't get used to that for too long. If you do international, Gold puts you into the same boarding group "priority", so that too is a benefit.
