Delta Gold or Platinum?
Nov 25, 18, 12:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii or Fukuoka, Japan
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 73
Delta Gold or Platinum?
I'm just 500 miles away from reaching Delta Platinum but considering forgoing the status upgrade by crediting my next flight to KAL.
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
2) I'm not sure if my travelling will be as much next year as in years past so the Rollover miles would be a nice cushion to make sure that I requalify for Gold.
Am I overlooking something?
Thank you!
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
2) I'm not sure if my travelling will be as much next year as in years past so the Rollover miles would be a nice cushion to make sure that I requalify for Gold.
Am I overlooking something?
Thank you!
Nov 25, 18, 12:22 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,020
As next year you may be traveling less, it makes sense to maximize rollover miles. However, make sure to reach the required MQD level next year (or have $25K in Delta AmEx expenses).
Nov 25, 18, 2:28 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii or Fukuoka, Japan
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 73
Thanks . MQD's have never been a problem. I'll go ahead and credit my next trip to KAL in order to keep the bulk of my rollovers.
Nov 25, 18, 2:48 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,300
Years back (2009-2010), I found Platinum status way better than gold status. Upgrades, free award changes/redeposits were the best benefits for me. Im not sure if these benefits are still identical today. If you are Japan based, this might not be as useful to you.
Nov 25, 18, 9:47 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 352
I'm just 500 miles away from reaching Delta Platinum but considering forgoing the status upgrade by crediting my next flight to KAL.
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
2) I'm not sure if my travelling will be as much next year as in years past so the Rollover miles would be a nice cushion to make sure that I requalify for Gold.
Am I overlooking something?
Thank you!
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
2) I'm not sure if my travelling will be as much next year as in years past so the Rollover miles would be a nice cushion to make sure that I requalify for Gold.
Am I overlooking something?
Thank you!
Last edited by runningformqm; Nov 25, 18 at 9:56 am
Nov 25, 18, 10:17 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,401
This. Yes they can, and certainly on the west coast to HNL routes as well.
If you will fly enough next year to at least reach gold again, without a big rollover, then suggest you go for Plat.
Nov 25, 18, 10:20 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,073
I'm just 500 miles away from reaching Delta Platinum but considering forgoing the status upgrade by crediting my next flight to KAL.
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
Thank you!
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
Thank you!
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-upgrades.html
Nov 25, 18, 12:46 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,720
Gold+Gold is certainly better than Platinum+Silver since STE+ matters a lot given your int'l travel patterns.
In my mind, the biggest thing you'd be missing by not going to PM is the award redeposit fee waiver if you tend to book lots of award tickets. Easily the best PM benefit for me by far. But if that's not a big concern for you, then I would stick to Gold for 2 years for sure.
Of course, if there's any way you could push for PM this year and still fly enough to keep GM next year, that's even better.
In my mind, the biggest thing you'd be missing by not going to PM is the award redeposit fee waiver if you tend to book lots of award tickets. Easily the best PM benefit for me by far. But if that's not a big concern for you, then I would stick to Gold for 2 years for sure.
Of course, if there's any way you could push for PM this year and still fly enough to keep GM next year, that's even better.
Nov 25, 18, 12:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: yes
Posts: 53
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Amex, on the other hand, incurs an annual fee of $195, more than double that of the Gold version. ... When you factor in these fees in the calculations above, the welcome bonus on the Platinum card suddenly drops to $645, $75 lower than that of the Gold card.
Nov 25, 18, 1:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Platinum, DL Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,090
I'm just 500 miles away from reaching Delta Platinum but considering forgoing the status upgrade by crediting my next flight to KAL.
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
2) I'm not sure if my travelling will be as much next year as in years past so the Rollover miles would be a nice cushion to make sure that I requalify for Gold.
Am I overlooking something?
Thank you!
Why?
1) My travel is exclusively International, flying out of HNL so the four platinum regional upgrade certificates are worthless to me.
2) Although I nearly always receive Delta comfort upgrades as a gold, flights leaving the US from HNL do not receive Biz class upgrades so I'm flying in back while Delta One is wide open no matter what my status is.
2) I'm not sure if my travelling will be as much next year as in years past so the Rollover miles would be a nice cushion to make sure that I requalify for Gold.
Am I overlooking something?
Thank you!
If it was me, even in your scenario, I'd still go for Platinum due to the C+ upgrades upon booking, award cancellations, and other benefits, and in general, my philosophy is to take a bird in the hand. You can always get additional MQM's via credit cards (i.e. Platinum or Reserve) if you see you're running low.
Nov 25, 18, 2:32 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,720
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Amex, on the other hand, incurs an annual fee of $195, more than double that of the Gold version. ... When you factor in these fees in the calculations above, the welcome bonus on the Platinum card suddenly drops to $645, $75 lower than that of the Gold card.
Did this get posted to the wrong thread? OP is asking about DL status, not CCs.
Nov 26, 18, 1:47 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii or Fukuoka, Japan
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 73
I did reach platinum a couple of years ago too and The free award changes were certainly helpful, but my current point reserves are relatively low (200K), so I don't think I'll be making that many award reservations. No IF it were free changes for paid tickets, that would be a huge benefit for me and definitely worth platinum status.
Nov 26, 18, 1:51 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii or Fukuoka, Japan
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 73
Thanks.
At most I fly HNL-mainland every other year. D1 would be a nice upgrade if ruc's apply; however, I have yet to be on a domestic flight with D1 available. It's usually older planes with really limited recline biz seats.
At most I fly HNL-mainland every other year. D1 would be a nice upgrade if ruc's apply; however, I have yet to be on a domestic flight with D1 available. It's usually older planes with really limited recline biz seats.
Nov 26, 18, 1:56 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii or Fukuoka, Japan
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 73
For me, the difference between Platinum and Gold makes Platinum well worthwhile. It sounds like in your particular case, assuming your C+ seats are not middles (or you don't mind middles), you may be best staying with Gold.
If it was me, even in your scenario, I'd still go for Platinum due to the C+ upgrades upon booking, award cancellations, and other benefits, and in general, my philosophy is to take a bird in the hand. You can always get additional MQM's via credit cards (i.e. Platinum or Reserve) if you see you're running low. ""agreed. thanks.
If it was me, even in your scenario, I'd still go for Platinum due to the C+ upgrades upon booking, award cancellations, and other benefits, and in general, my philosophy is to take a bird in the hand. You can always get additional MQM's via credit cards (i.e. Platinum or Reserve) if you see you're running low. ""agreed. thanks.
Last edited by alohastephen; Nov 26, 18 at 1:59 am Reason: add quote
