MCO Flyer

They probably need to let MQDs rollover or lower the MQD thresholds for next year. It’s going to be hard to spend $15K for DM next year with INTL travel likely remaining shut down for Q1 and likely Q2 2021.

drminn

They may not have to match AA's announcement, their data may indicate that there are very few Situations (pun intended) where people will leave for AA. As you say, nobody knows with any certitude what 2021 will look like, but I am convinced that DL has more data to base their decisions on than our collective insights/opinions here on FT.

FlyingBeanCounter

This. I am rolling over 150k in MQM's. I don't care so much about that, but the MQD's are an issue. I am finishing my MQD qualification at christmas with a trip to CUN. As I understand it the choice benefits won't happen for diamonds next year unless they actually spend the 15k this year. That is actually really nice - lounges will be marginally less crowded and in theory I will have GUC's when most other diamonds wont.

I have been EXPLAT on AA and 1k on UA. Wouldn't hurt to hit one or both again next year. UA has some value as I am in a hub city for them (DEN).

even with the changes in air travel I found that status isn't really worth it. All of this hand wringing here and worry could be solved with one simple response - WFBF. I started doing that along with paying for suites this year and it really is very pleasant. Sure, I lose the priority phone line but I have not missed one other item of the status treadmill as a result. No worry and no risk of losing anything to someone like me who sneaks in and buys the upgrade out from under me at the gate.

That is the biggest risk here for all the airlines - that more people figure out the status racket isn't worth it and start actually buying tickets that make sense based on travel plans.

Zorak

Your understanding is incorrect (or at least based on my understanding of your understanding )

If you earn 125k+ MQMs and 15K MQDs (or AMEX/foreign MQD waiver) in 2020 (thus qualifying for DM for 2021) you will immediately be able to choose your 2021 DM Choice Benefits.

If you are DM in 2020 and fail to qualify as above, and remain DM in 2021 only because of the status extension, you will still get to choose 2021 DM Choice Benefits, just not until Feb 1, 2021.

mnredfox

Try meet reaching 15k on domestic runs!!!

FlyingBeanCounter

according to the DL staff the choice awards are only given to those who actually qualify. Has anyone confirmed one way or the other? Be great to know - if it doesn't matter I will cancel my CUN ticket and rebook with someone cheaper.

EDIT: You are correct. I just cancelled my ticket and picked up another cheaper one.

mattp1987

https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-u...miles-benefits

The way I'm reading this, the extended status for 2021 allows you to pick 2021 Choice Benefits starting Feb 1. Of course if you aren't planning to fly much in 2021 you could wait until Jan 2022 to select RUC/GUCs.

TrojanTraveler

MQDs will be my issue as well. I’ve been a top tier medallion for decades, but it would be very difficult for me to hit MQD requirements without being able to purchase international business class tickets. Even if the MQD requirement was halved, if intl travel was not wide open in advance of July 1 ( wide open meaning not just open borders, but many other countries being safe enough to travel to), I’d be hard pressed to hit half a MQD requirement.

ithacxa

United and AA have announced adjusted 2021 elite qualification levels, and I'm wondering why DL hasn't said anything yet as of now. I guess it's not a question of if, but by how much, they are reducing the requirements - otherwise they will be uncompetitive (unless of course they believe that all their health related moves will keep elites loyal to them). And they should be careful.

Bigger picture for me: not being really able to fly for almost a year has made me realize the frivolity of chasing status, airline extensions notwithstanding. I mean - why was I so addicted to status? With the thousands one usually spends on flying, one could spend that same amount of money on home improvements, savings, investments, and these aren't transient things that disappear after the flight.

I wonder how similar my reflections are with yours. If these airlines cannot deliver value by allowing us to reasonably earn and use elite benefits, we can much more easily spend our money elsewhere.

leroy11

The rollover MQMs effectively becomes 50% off the regular MQMs required. I wonder if they will have some kind of MQD bonus. At the other end of the spectrum, I am sure some people have qualified this year under the regular rules - they certainly would have to offer them something additional if there are more extensions etc

sydneyracquelle

2020 status ends Jan 31/2022 instead of Jan 31/2021. You now have 2 years of MQMs from Jan 1/20 to Dec 31/21 to make 2022 status. MQS and MQDs don’t rollover.

flyerCO

I think you're confused. 2022 status is earned 1/21 through 12/21. What you earn this year for MQM will rollover. but not MQD.

TuxTom

Rolling over all MQM with the status extensions was already incredibly generous, but it made sense because DL already had an established rollover program. I could only see them lowering the MQD requirements because fares have gone down for the most part. I've been back flying fairly regularly since the the beginning of June and flights that I would often pay $500-$700 in the past for are now well under $400.

beachmouse

Between 2019 rollover and credit card spend this year I’m going to start 2021 with close to 40k MQMs despite not setting foot on a plane in 2020. I suspect this kind of rollover is pretty common and I can rather understand Delta not wanting too many relatively low value customers like me having too good of odds for hitting Platinum for 2022

flyertalker28120

Personally, I think the predictions of air traffic not recovering until 2024 or 2025 which we heard a few months ago are no good any longer given the much-better than anticipated developments on the vaccine front. Sure, there's still a good chance businesses have learnt that certain meetings do not need to be in person. But still, there's a clear path now to maybe not a 100% recovery but a very strong recovery.

DL knows that. DL has been one of the more generous programmes. I think the rules in place now will largely remain intact and will largely suffice in their minds. Maybe a little promo for double MQD and/or double MQM late in 2021. (I'm relatively new to DL; IDK if they have done such promos in the past.) But yeah, wait until 2021:Q3 or Q4 and then DL will have to start thinking more about managing the number of medallion members.