Speculation: Will Delta reduce Medallion Requirements for 2021?
Jul 4, 2021, 8:04 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: On the run
Programs: DL 2MM/DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 572
Yeah Delta’s approach to 2022 status has not been equal at all and is essentially rewarding the normal low level FOs and GMs that use a DL AMEX by allowing them to climb up the latter to GM or PM due to MQMs being handed out like candy along with the $25K MQD waiver. Meanwhile they are screwing over the high valued INTL traveling DMs that are grounded due to COVID travel restrictions and can’t hit the ridiculous MQD threshold or the $250K MQD waiver and forcing them back down to PM.
What we're probably going to see is leisure travelers hit DM this year, as for example, I have an upcoming trip in D1 to Croatia, MQDs will be $3,500 (fare was $2,100 via AmEx IAP), and 27k MQM's. Dubai is hosting the World Expo latter this year as that was a $6,600 MQD on a AF J $2,900 fare with 25kMQM when I took that trip in April and may return in the Fall.
Last edited by DrMilano; Jul 4, 2021 at 8:11 pm
Jul 4, 2021, 8:09 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 662
International markets are open, as I have hit the 25K MQD spend already with 68 segments to date (19 international segments and 1 trip each to LAX and HNL which would be long haul domestic) and over 140kMQM (45K MQM were rollover). With the multiplier program, my MQM will be over 200k and MQD probably around 40k for this year.
What we're probably going to see is leisure travelers hit DM this year, as for example, I have an upcoming trip in D1 to Croatia, MQDs will be $3,500 (fare was $2,100 via AmEx IAP), and 27k MQM's. Dubai is hosting the World Expo latter this year as that was a $6,600 MQD on a AF J $2,900 fare with 25kMQM when I took that trip in April and may return in the Fall.
What we're probably going to see is leisure travelers hit DM this year, as for example, I have an upcoming trip in D1 to Croatia, MQDs will be $3,500 (fare was $2,100 via AmEx IAP), and 27k MQM's. Dubai is hosting the World Expo latter this year as that was a $6,600 MQD on a AF J $2,900 fare with 25kMQM when I took that trip in April and may return in the Fall.
Jul 4, 2021, 9:31 pm
#48
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: 18,886
If you *are* flying, just not to/from the United States, and previously leveraged DL status for STE/STE+ benefits on a partner airline, that's seems like a pretty niche edge case, so it's not too surprising that DL doesn't have that category of customer front-of-mind.
Jul 4, 2021, 9:37 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,454
Yeah Delta’s approach to 2022 status has not been equal at all and is essentially rewarding the normal low level FOs and GMs that use a DL AMEX by allowing them to climb up the latter to GM or PM due to MQMs being handed out like candy along with the $25K MQD waiver. Meanwhile they are screwing over the high valued INTL traveling DMs that are grounded due to COVID travel restrictions and can’t hit the ridiculous MQD threshold or the $250K MQD waiver and forcing them back down to PM.
Will Delta provide a second year of status rollover in the second half of 2021? We'll see. At this point, if one wants to qualify/re-qualify for status, no freebie.
Jul 4, 2021, 9:39 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
15K MQD works out to about 8.6K MQD before the accelerator (if at least C+). Surely those high value pax would have those funds, right? It can also be "free" if they would tap their OPM (other people's money) earned SkyPesos.
Will Delta provide a second year of status rollover in the second half of 2021? We'll see. At this point, if one wants to qualify/re-qualify for status, there is no free goodwill.
Will Delta provide a second year of status rollover in the second half of 2021? We'll see. At this point, if one wants to qualify/re-qualify for status, there is no free goodwill.
Jul 4, 2021, 9:46 pm
#51
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
Jul 4, 2021, 10:33 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,296
15K MQD works out to about 8.6K MQD before the accelerator (if at least C+). Surely those high value pax would have those funds, right? It can also be "free" if they would tap their OPM (other people's money) earned SkyPesos (about 860,000) and fly some expensive domestic fares - easy to find for the summer season.
Will Delta provide a second year of status rollover in the second half of 2021? We'll see. At this point, if one wants to qualify/re-qualify for status, no freebie.
Will Delta provide a second year of status rollover in the second half of 2021? We'll see. At this point, if one wants to qualify/re-qualify for status, no freebie.
Jul 5, 2021, 1:14 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,591
International markets are open, as I have hit the 15K MQD spend already with 68 segments to date (19 international segments and 1 trip each to LAX and HNL which would be long haul domestic) and over 140kMQM (45K MQM were rollover). With the multiplier program, my MQM will be over 200k and MQD probably around 40k for this year.
What we're probably going to see is leisure travelers hit DM this year, as for example, I have an upcoming trip in D1 to Croatia, MQDs will be $3,500 (fare was $2,100 via AmEx IAP), and 27k MQM's. Dubai is hosting the World Expo latter this year as that was a $6,600 MQD on a AF J $2,900 fare with 25kMQM when I took that trip in April and may return in the Fall.
What we're probably going to see is leisure travelers hit DM this year, as for example, I have an upcoming trip in D1 to Croatia, MQDs will be $3,500 (fare was $2,100 via AmEx IAP), and 27k MQM's. Dubai is hosting the World Expo latter this year as that was a $6,600 MQD on a AF J $2,900 fare with 25kMQM when I took that trip in April and may return in the Fall.
Jul 5, 2021, 7:10 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Canada
Programs: Delta SM Diamond
Posts: 146
I rollover 30k, as I write, I CAN NOT have credits cards, and no one around me CAN have a credit cards from USA ...
I understand the BIG concern for many Medallion living in USA are the MQD, but for foreign FF, the problem is to be able to flight with Delta (I can not even "enter" USA right now (and NOT transit also)).
Jul 6, 2021, 6:20 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA - Seattle area
Programs: DL Platinum, "alum" of high status with UA but not any more
Posts: 531
Yeah Delta’s approach to 2022 status has not been equal at all and is essentially rewarding the normal low level FOs and GMs that use a DL AMEX by allowing them to climb up the latter to GM or PM due to MQMs being handed out like candy along with the $25K MQD waiver. Meanwhile they are screwing over the high valued INTL traveling DMs that are grounded due to COVID travel restrictions and can’t hit the ridiculous MQD threshold or the $250K MQD waiver and forcing them back down to PM.
Jul 6, 2021, 7:23 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Canada
Programs: Delta SM Diamond
Posts: 146
"High-valued international DMs grounded due to COVID" maybe aren't so valuable if they are grounded due to COVID. And what's with the assertion that DL AMEX customers are "less valuable" to Delta? Delta surely makes a lot of money selling all those Skymiles to American Express. If AMEX customers were not valuable to Delta, then Delta would not offer them the perqs that they do.
But I can see now the program are focus on inland travel and very little about their foreign intl. FF (for them to keep their status).
Jul 6, 2021, 11:37 pm
#57
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Something that’s fair would be to lower the MQD waiver AMEX spend threshold for DM. Perhaps have a promotion in Q4 similar to AAs new promo but instead for existing DMs that if they can spend a certain amount within Q4 on (say $15K) on their DL AMEX, then the MQD threshold will be waived for DM. I’m not looking forward to the increase in PMs next year from the freebies who got it due to DL handing out MQMs like crazy and those DMs that will fall to PM due to lack of MQDs/no AMEX waivee. Helping out the DMs re-qualify would help somewhat in the 2022 PM overcrowding.
Jul 6, 2021, 11:42 pm
#58
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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
Something that’s fair would be to lower the MQD waiver AMEX spend threshold for DM. Perhaps have a promotion in Q4 similar to AAs new promo but instead for existing DMs that if they can spend a certain amount within Q4 on (say $15K) on their DL AMEX, then the MQD threshold will be waived for DM. I’m not looking forward to the increase in PMs next year from the freebies who got it due to DL handing out MQMs like crazy and those DMs that will fall to PM due to lack of MQDs/no AMEX waivee. Helping out the DMs re-qualify would help somewhat in the 2022 PM overcrowding.
Jul 7, 2021, 10:16 am
#59
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,888
Delta is unique in how they approach it as they are making it easy for new customers or lower level elites to gain status or move up in status - the other airlines seem to be more about maintaining prior status. Maybe if DL wants to keep its existing Diamond base while, they will reduce requirements, but it may be done in a way that also lets people on a PM trajectory also reach for Diamond.
The Status accelerator thing is pretty generous, especially if you book C+ or above. Earning MQM on award flights is pretty cool.
The Status accelerator thing is pretty generous, especially if you book C+ or above. Earning MQM on award flights is pretty cool.
Jul 7, 2021, 11:00 am
#60
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
Logically, with DL using dynamic award pricing, award tickets should earn MQM/MQS/MQD. It's becoming a version of pay with miles.
