Will Delta follow United changes on Medallion Program
#46
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,881
There is too much internal debate that would need to take place for DL to match the changes for the 2021 medallion year (qualify during 2020). The amex relationship and MQM earning and the rollover MQM benefit would be complications that would take too long to discuss the implications of. Delta has conditioned travelers to behave a certain way and that is to maximize MQM while spending money and I think the decision makers are too conservative to upset that conditioning so quickly. They also may want to give it some time to see how it plays out and how behavior changes. I wouldn't be surprised to see an increase in MQD requirements this year, but I doubt that DL would fully match UA's scheme. As many people that would benefit from United's scheme would also probably be hurt by it. Having different programs at different carriers is a way to differentiate and DLs program is probably more appealing to more people than United's.
#47
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,502
The thing I was struck by is how badly they are treating flyers who use *A partners in premium classes. 16-20% for PE/J/F?? DL allows 30% on VS for PE.
#49
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
It translates to pretty close to the current earning rates relative to how quickly they got you to e.g. 1K. And previously you had to get the EQM and hit the dollar threshold, so this is probably at worst a wash for most folks.
#50
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
If UA had better connections for the Eastern US from RDU, this wouls entice me to move my loyalty there. My travel is every week, mostly East of the Mississippi, with 4-5 international rounds/yr. For too long I've had to take connecting itins where a non-stop was available just to make MQS for status. I've been saying this for years, but this is not only bad for me bum, it's bad for DL. I can pay basically the same (and sometimes less) to take a connecting itin where they now have to carry me on two flights (vs. 1) for the same or less money, not to mention the opportunity cost of not being able to sell the unnecessary second flight.
All they need to do is add a $25K spend/yr. requirement to reach DM without all the MQD/MQM/MQS nonsense. They can leave all the other credit card crap the same for now, but going forward, UA's system makes a lot more sense than what DL/AA have right now. Reward your highest spenders, not people who are wasting space in your system.
All they need to do is add a $25K spend/yr. requirement to reach DM without all the MQD/MQM/MQS nonsense. They can leave all the other credit card crap the same for now, but going forward, UA's system makes a lot more sense than what DL/AA have right now. Reward your highest spenders, not people who are wasting space in your system.
#51
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
You get MQM bonus buying to in first/business, or for high fare coach and international premium select. The united system over-simplified and now a flight is a flight regardless of where you sit. Its really close to a pure spend program with just a minor 'discount' modifier for flying them a bit.
Delta already takes into account spend and also wants you fly them and on premium fares.
Delta already takes into account spend and also wants you fly them and on premium fares.
#52
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
Under the new UA rules, some partner fares will earn 40% of distance (200% X 1/5) toward PQD or whatever it's now called. FULL IFC might be even more.
Moreover, the big difference is that only segments count and status miles can't be used to reduce the PQD requirement. 1K at 54 asegments doesn't sound bad for those who qualify on segments, but those of us who fly a lot of nonstops and especially longhaul international flights don't do that many segments. For instance, I've been DM every year and I doin't think I ever had 45 or more segments, and this is without relying on a lot of rollover of AmEx MQMs.
#53
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,129
As a multi-year UA 1k I have to say there is a real opportunity for DL to take the lead and poach UA business here. All DL (or AA) has to do is hold off on going down the same path, or if they do, don't go so extreme and people will migrate over. Big spenders with UA are unaffected by this bomb today so their opinions and behavior won't change. But there's millions of dollars to be enticed away by those who don't want to play the high dollar UA status game. I'm really anxious to see DL and AA's response. I can't make any decisions on what direction I'll go until I see what the competitors put up.
#54
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,024
As a multi-year UA 1k I have to say there is a real opportunity for DL to take the lead and poach UA business here. All DL (or AA) has to do is hold off on going down the same path, or if they do, don't go so extreme and people will migrate over. Big spenders with UA are unaffected by this bomb today so their opinions and behavior won't change. But there's millions of dollars to be enticed away by those who don't want to play the high dollar UA status game. I'm really anxious to see DL and AA's response. I can't make any decisions on what direction I'll go until I see what the competitors put up.
I'd suggest you spend some time in that forum for awhile. You will find the exact some frustrations, threats to leave, declarations that "this change is the last straw, I'm going to UA or DL" etc
These carriers are all on the same paths, just at different speeds. Free agency is your friend.
Regards
#55
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
I disagree.
Under the new UA rules, some partner fares will earn 40% of distance (200% X 1/5) toward PQD or whatever it's now called. FULL IFC might be even more.
Moreover, the big difference is that only segments count and status miles can't be used to reduce the PQD requirement. 1K at 54 asegments doesn't sound bad for those who qualify on segments, but those of us who fly a lot of nonstops and especially longhaul international flights don't do that many segments. For instance, I've been DM every year and I doin't think I ever had 45 or more segments, and this is without relying on a lot of rollover of AmEx MQMs.
Under the new UA rules, some partner fares will earn 40% of distance (200% X 1/5) toward PQD or whatever it's now called. FULL IFC might be even more.
Moreover, the big difference is that only segments count and status miles can't be used to reduce the PQD requirement. 1K at 54 asegments doesn't sound bad for those who qualify on segments, but those of us who fly a lot of nonstops and especially longhaul international flights don't do that many segments. For instance, I've been DM every year and I doin't think I ever had 45 or more segments, and this is without relying on a lot of rollover of AmEx MQMs.
#56
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,129
LOL! If you are expecting AA to do much here, prepare yourself to be ridiculously disappointed.
I'd suggest you spend some time in that forum for awhile. You will find the exact some frustrations, threats to leave, declarations that "this change is the last straw, I'm going to UA or DL" etc
These carriers are all on the same paths, just at different speeds. Free agency is your friend.
Regards
I'd suggest you spend some time in that forum for awhile. You will find the exact some frustrations, threats to leave, declarations that "this change is the last straw, I'm going to UA or DL" etc
These carriers are all on the same paths, just at different speeds. Free agency is your friend.
Regards
#57
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
There are also people at outstations and more generally airports that aren't hubs with lots of international service who rack up a lot of miles on longhaul international flights, even in premium cabins, and don't spend huge amounts of money or fly lots of segments. Of course, premium cabin international tickets get one many of the same benefits of status, and the remaining elite benefits aren't that costly, but they could still matter a lot to people. It's elasticity again: someone who is treated well will go out of the way a bit to fly that carrier and will pay somewhat more to do so, but if someone taking half a dozen international longhaul RTs per year using somewhat cheap fares doesn't get meaningful status, there's little reason to fly that airline versus becoming a free agent (and also a free agent for whatever domestic travel the person does).
#58
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,024
My post as a non-DL flyer in the DL forum was not so much about wanting to switch programs, but a simple admission as UA elite to DL elites that UA has gift wrapped a chance at millions of dollars of business for its competitors and that status pain is probably coming their way.
Trust me, UA elites are not special in feeling pain. Again, spend time in this and the AA forum and you will sometimes forget/wonder which forum you are actually in. The story is the same for all.
Regards
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,333
DL is 30% of distance flown while UA will be actually 40% of distance flown for many premium fares on *A partners because it will be 1/5th of the "miles awarded" but miles awarded (not including elite bonuses) are often 200% of distance flown. For example, flying Int'l J on AC, regardless of fare code, earns miles at 200% of distance flown. So for example, YVR-HKG-YVR, which is ~6400 miles each way, or ~12,800 miles round trip. In J, x2, that becomes 25,600, which then at 20% becomes ~5,100 PQPs, and thus UA Silver through PQP only in just in one trip, regardless of fare class paid on the AC flight (This is my understanding, if I'm interpreting it all correctly).
#60
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
My post as a non-DL flyer in the DL forum was not so much about wanting to switch programs, but a simple admission as UA elite to DL elites that UA has gift wrapped a chance at millions of dollars of business for its competitors and that status pain is probably coming their way.
I have a trip to ATL-IAD next week I booked earlier today. It's a $700 ticket but will only net a bit over 1000 MQM/PQM. Next year I'll definitely take that on United since it helps me qualify "more" than it does on Delta (I've always been PQM constrained on United) - and 1K extra rollover miles only means so much when you already have 400K of them.