Apr 5, 2020, 9:47 am
Last edit by: Zorak
https://news.delta.com/delta-extends-medallion-status-club-memberships-and-more-support-skymiles-members-future-travel
https://www.delta.com/us/en/coronavirus-update-center/extending-skymiles-benefits
Above is a summary, not a full list. See the links for more details.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/coronavirus-update-center/extending-skymiles-benefits
- current 2020 Medallion status (including gifted and promotional) is being extended through January 31, 2022
- all MQMs earned in 2020 will be rolled over into 2021, even for non-status members; this includes AMEX boost MQMs
- Rollover MQMs from 2019 that are currently in members accounts WILL be included when everything rolls over into 2021
- PMs/DMs who do not re-qualify organically, but instead have their 2020 status extended into 2021, will receive another set of Choice Benefits on Feb 1, 2021
- many other benefits (including but not limited to upgrade certs, AMEX companion certs, SC memberships/Reserve guest passes) are being extended 6 months -- check the links above for details
- "SkyMiles Members enrolled in a challenge or promotion to earn Medallion Status [...] can start a new promotion when they are ready to start traveling again if they missed out on achieving the requirements the first time."
Above is a summary, not a full list. See the links for more details.
DL to Extend Status to Feb-2022 due to COVID 19 (Consolidated Thread)
Apr 5, 2020, 10:02 am
#241
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
Apr 5, 2020, 10:03 am
#242
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
So upgrades will be impossible on high traffic routes, SCs will be overcrowded, and tons of gate lice PREM and SKY boarding. Sounds like 2019.
The silver lining is if you earn DM the real way this year, you'll rollover 125k+ into next year. If you earn DM again the real way next year you'll end up with 250k+ and rollover 125k+ again into the *next* year. "And so on and so on..."
So you'll be in a position to earn an extra year of free status without flying just like everyone else, except it'll just be down the road, in the first year when you stop flying DM miles on your own.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:03 am
#243
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,310
Not necessarily as MQDs won’t be rolling over from 2020. You will still need to spend the $15K to reach the MQD mark or spend $250K on the DL AMEX Plat or Reserve.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:04 am
#244
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: 100,404
Maybe he/she as well as you, but USA residents have MQD requirements and few can get the AmEx waiver for DM.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:04 am
#245
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Delta PM, Hilton Silver, UA Plat
Posts: 261
As someone who solely uses the Amex Platinum to reach the MQD waiver and keep his Platinum status, does it make sense then to use my Amex for the rest of the year?
I fly a good bit in economy so reaching Platinum level MQMs is not difficult. In fact this year I am already at 60,000 MQMs but very low on the MQDs. I use my Amex platinum $25k spend waiver to compensate for this. However, with this status extension, does it make sense at all to use it for the rest of 2020 if I can get better points return on other cards?
I fly a good bit in economy so reaching Platinum level MQMs is not difficult. In fact this year I am already at 60,000 MQMs but very low on the MQDs. I use my Amex platinum $25k spend waiver to compensate for this. However, with this status extension, does it make sense at all to use it for the rest of 2020 if I can get better points return on other cards?
Apr 5, 2020, 10:04 am
#246
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
I think you're forgetting about MQDs. They do not rollover. Edit: Lol rapidfire. Two people beat me by seconds
Apr 5, 2020, 10:04 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Lol. DL is burning $60M a day, 6.6M US workers filed for unemployment last week, 700k jobs were lost in March, we may be headed for a global depression, DL has publicly said they expect to be a much smaller airline coming out of this, yet some are concerned that the number of elites might be too high in 2021 and 2022?
Cool.
Cool.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:05 am
#248
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
I think this is the part most people are overlooking. Delta as a whole will likely come out of this a very different airline. People are assuming Delta will exist as is, the loyalty program will remain unchanged, etc. I'm totally kicking myself that I let a large number of miles sit idle in my account. Who knows if those will be worth anything in a few months.
I have over a million SkyPesos in my account that are at risk, but I don't view that as a real loss since I've had trouble using them anyways.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:06 am
#249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,676
Apr 5, 2020, 10:07 am
#250
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: CT
Programs: DL360, Marriott Ambassdor
Posts: 69
Apr 5, 2020, 10:07 am
#251
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, MR Gold, Hilton Gold, National Exec
Posts: 534
Apr 5, 2020, 10:08 am
#252
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: ANC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,856
Well done Delta! Excellent move. This was honestly the simplest solution possible. No one knows the true end date of this, and there will be tons of variables that affect the individual traveler and how much/little they fly in 2020. This covers them all. No confusing tier adjustments, no mqm/mqd promotion at the end of the year to incentivize regaining status, no complicated status recovery scenario that could lead to people falling through the cracks, and above all, nothing to add stress to the majority of medallions. Sure, there will be people who over analyze this (as it’s already happening), but this was one of the easiest and most positive things I think Delta could do.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:09 am
#253
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
The silver lining is if you earn DM the real way this year, you'll rollover 125k+ into next year. If you earn DM again the real way next year you'll end up with 250k+ and rollover 125k+ again into the *next* year. "And so on and so on..."
So you'll be in a position to earn an extra year of free status without flying just like everyone else, except it'll just be fired the road in the first year when you stop flying DM miles on your own.
So you'll be in a position to earn an extra year of free status without flying just like everyone else, except it'll just be fired the road in the first year when you stop flying DM miles on your own.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:14 am
#254
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 81
I think it’s a great move by Delta regardless, and if this is the case, then I am even happier. I’ve spent the last 5 years with Delta building rollover and would just hate to see it evaporate in one year. First world problem, definitely.
Apr 5, 2020, 10:14 am
#255
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Delta Platinum, AA Plat Pro, F9 Elite 100k
Posts: 151
This is a disaster. I realize that travel will be depressed for some time, but it was already impossible to get C+ seats as a Diamond before Delta decided to extend status AND provide rollover MQMs. Insane. Everyone and their mother will be Platinum or Diamond next year. Incredibly frustrating for those who have already or will shortly make Diamond without this nonsense.