Diamond or not to Diamond
Nov 5, 2018, 2:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: TPA or In Flight
Programs: DL PM, 1MM
Posts: 671
Diamond or not to Diamond
Hey folks, but awhile.
So here I am, been Platinum for 18 years straight. This year crossed 125,000 in July for the first time, but with the new AmEx exemption, I've been sitting around $2000 short of the $15k spend (made my $25k AmEx spend by April).
I'm at about 138k miles right now. A few flights left in the year and will be very close to the $15k spend, but can use pay with miles to stay below if I wish.
So, the big question: Do I ask for an exemption now? Do I just buy myself over the threshold in December with tickets? Do I not and keep the Platinum for another year and take a huge rollover?
I almost always buy discounted F tickets - so it isn't about upgrades. The significant difference in Mendelian Choice Benefits looks nice.
Always value your opinions - let 'er rip!
-=tg=-
So here I am, been Platinum for 18 years straight. This year crossed 125,000 in July for the first time, but with the new AmEx exemption, I've been sitting around $2000 short of the $15k spend (made my $25k AmEx spend by April).
I'm at about 138k miles right now. A few flights left in the year and will be very close to the $15k spend, but can use pay with miles to stay below if I wish.
So, the big question: Do I ask for an exemption now? Do I just buy myself over the threshold in December with tickets? Do I not and keep the Platinum for another year and take a huge rollover?
I almost always buy discounted F tickets - so it isn't about upgrades. The significant difference in Mendelian Choice Benefits looks nice.
Always value your opinions - let 'er rip!
-=tg=-
Nov 5, 2018, 2:58 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,028
Do you fly internationally? If so, do you buy F, and if not, are you somewhat flexible on days and routings?
If you're yes-no-yes, the GUCs can be pretty nice.
Otherwise, maybe hold those MQMs for a rollover.
If you're yes-no-yes, the GUCs can be pretty nice.
Otherwise, maybe hold those MQMs for a rollover.
Nov 5, 2018, 8:22 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
I was a Charter Diamond plus the next year. Since then, while I have significant international bis, I have rolled over miles each year and stayed Plat. GUC’s are great IF you buy YBM and IF you can manage to apply them.
YMMV
YMMV
Nov 5, 2018, 8:34 pm
#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
This is out of date. It's been years and years since GUCs required Y B M fares on DL operated flights.
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Nov 5, 2018, 9:06 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
This is out of date. It's been years and years since GUCs required Y B M fares on DL operated flights.
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Nov 5, 2018, 9:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
This is out of date. It's been years and years since GUCs required Y B M fares on DL operated flights.
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Nov 7, 2018, 9:57 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,221
Personally, I don't see the value of accumulating a stash of rollover MQMs since DL could eliminate them at any point or up the MQD requirements to make them worthless (which has already happened somewhat with DL's decision to raise the AmEx MQD waiver for DM to $250,000).
Nov 7, 2018, 10:26 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
Nov 7, 2018, 6:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
That was hysterical!
Nov 7, 2018, 7:13 pm
#14
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 7, 2018, 7:17 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209