2023 Airline/Elite Status Plans
Feb 6, 2023, 1:50 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,485
Even with the lower bar, I concluded it was easier to just take PM (which is very useful even in paid F for the priority service and free SDCs) with 4x RUC and occasional free upgrade.
To make DM worthwhile you'd really need to squeeze value out of the additional certificates, which in my opinion is a stretch for how much harder it is to make DM. If you end up there based on your travel patterns, that's nice, but running for more than a couple thousand dollars seems crazy.
Also note that I don't know how you turned SkyMiles into upgrades, but that it is probably no different than buying domestic tickets with them (and actually probably worse), so also consider that you can use your mileage balance for tickets and that it's basically same-as-cash at around 1 cpm unless you really strive to improve that.
To make DM worthwhile you'd really need to squeeze value out of the additional certificates, which in my opinion is a stretch for how much harder it is to make DM. If you end up there based on your travel patterns, that's nice, but running for more than a couple thousand dollars seems crazy.
Also note that I don't know how you turned SkyMiles into upgrades, but that it is probably no different than buying domestic tickets with them (and actually probably worse), so also consider that you can use your mileage balance for tickets and that it's basically same-as-cash at around 1 cpm unless you really strive to improve that.
Feb 6, 2023, 2:07 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,228
If you're paying for F/J I find little need for status. Maybe on a call or in IRROPS but again, its paid F, so rebooking shouldn't be an issue. Wait times on phone lines may be my biggest issue however honestly I get just as many poorly trained/useless agents on the PM/DM line as I do good ones these days once I do get through.
Feb 6, 2023, 2:11 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,485
I would find the "little need for status" argument to have more credence if there was a priority line for F pax.
Feb 6, 2023, 3:24 pm
#64
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 2,434
Huh? Paid F has the most issues with rebooking, between the computers and agents who are quite certain you want to get on that next flight, even if it's in 36E (or maybe you actually do want that?).
I would find the "little need for status" argument to have more credence if there was a priority line for F pax.
I would find the "little need for status" argument to have more credence if there was a priority line for F pax.
Feb 6, 2023, 4:03 pm
#65
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 355
Yep, I thought of that as I replied. I guess if the flight looks to have lots of FC seats when I pick my seat I can take the risk, but there's no way of knowing.
And as @findark points out, my use of 456k of SkyMiles for upgrades is quite a bit in $$ terms - but I also have far fewer of those to play with this year. And my RUCs and GUCs went largely unused, as using them was inconsistent with my need to get MQDs via upgrades.
And as @findark points out, my use of 456k of SkyMiles for upgrades is quite a bit in $$ terms - but I also have far fewer of those to play with this year. And my RUCs and GUCs went largely unused, as using them was inconsistent with my need to get MQDs via upgrades.
Feb 6, 2023, 6:45 pm
#66
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,602
We had the same query and are now happy PMs. Yes less priority for upgrades, but at least we dont waste the cash.
From our calculations we cannot hit the MQD - it will need 2M Skypesos even if we used only awards
The 45k MQM difference is doable, but the spend waiver is 225k extra spend = worth at least 6k to us up front in lost cash back
For that we get 4 GUCs and 4 more RUCs - When we tried to get our GUCs used last year - we managed but the amount we saved over just booking UA IN awardsis questionable
e.g., our AMS flight took 95k pesos - upgraded to comfort plus at once - then rebooked in Premium economy for 110k - then we applied 4 GUCs for family to get to AMS
For the return we got upgraded at the gate with 4 more GUCs
In contrast UA gives away J/C award seats 48 hrs out - our paris trip we had Polaris lie flats on a nonstop for 63k x2 = 126k total for TATL flights
If you are going to do the run to DM do not waste yor skypesos on DL flights - the return is poor at 1c
Look at the forum on Business class runs and do a AF run to Dubai in business - you can see others who have done that for the MQDs
LAX-CDG-DXB and back is 18k miles or about 5k MQDs
From our calculations we cannot hit the MQD - it will need 2M Skypesos even if we used only awards
The 45k MQM difference is doable, but the spend waiver is 225k extra spend = worth at least 6k to us up front in lost cash back
For that we get 4 GUCs and 4 more RUCs - When we tried to get our GUCs used last year - we managed but the amount we saved over just booking UA IN awardsis questionable
e.g., our AMS flight took 95k pesos - upgraded to comfort plus at once - then rebooked in Premium economy for 110k - then we applied 4 GUCs for family to get to AMS
For the return we got upgraded at the gate with 4 more GUCs
In contrast UA gives away J/C award seats 48 hrs out - our paris trip we had Polaris lie flats on a nonstop for 63k x2 = 126k total for TATL flights
If you are going to do the run to DM do not waste yor skypesos on DL flights - the return is poor at 1c
Look at the forum on Business class runs and do a AF run to Dubai in business - you can see others who have done that for the MQDs
LAX-CDG-DXB and back is 18k miles or about 5k MQDs
Yep, I thought of that as I replied. I guess if the flight looks to have lots of FC seats when I pick my seat I can take the risk, but there's no way of knowing.
And as @findark points out, my use of 456k of SkyMiles for upgrades is quite a bit in $$ terms - but I also have far fewer of those to play with this year. And my RUCs and GUCs went largely unused, as using them was inconsistent with my need to get MQDs via upgrades.
And as @findark points out, my use of 456k of SkyMiles for upgrades is quite a bit in $$ terms - but I also have far fewer of those to play with this year. And my RUCs and GUCs went largely unused, as using them was inconsistent with my need to get MQDs via upgrades.
Feb 6, 2023, 8:00 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,454
I doubt generating $20,000 every two years is a good strategy in general. For instance I am currently DM and will likely spend my usual $15,000-ish this year on necessary travel. If I wait till next January and spend $20,000 Y, where Y is some multiplier where I get more MQD than actually spent (e.g., via J partner flights), then the $15,000 I needed to spend will not be used toward my Diamond status. It would be better if some time over the current year I spend an additional $5,000 Y. The same logic applies next year, when I also anticipate $15,000 in necessary spend. I'd get 2 years worth of DM with 2 x $5000 Y = $10,000 Y artificial spend. This would also give me an extra year of PM and DM choice benefits compared to the once-every-other-January strategy. Perhaps I would use the manufactured spend to, e.g., buy premium select seats on a planned personal trip to Asia, and use the DM choice benefit GUCs for a D1 upgrade!
I think the financial break-even point is when one expects to spend less than $10,000 / year for necessary travel. Even then it would be reasonable to ask whether the $10,000 Y per year would be used more satisfactorily by, e.g., directly buying D1 tickets on flights where that is particularly important. Or perhaps the reduced flying implied by less-than-$10,000 spend would make the perks of DM not worth it at all?
Actually for DM status I treasured most the pre-covid sky clubs as a place of quiet, GUC upgrades to D1, and excellent customer support; I tend not to travel during peak times and complimentary domestic upgrades made the RUCs not that important. It will not be possible to choose SkyClub access as a choice benefit, the clubs are no longer quiet, and upgrading to Premium Select is not particularly appealing. I don't think the $5,000Y artificial spend is worth it to me, so to come back to the topic of this thread my plan is to land softly at the status my travel leads me to, probably PM.
I think the financial break-even point is when one expects to spend less than $10,000 / year for necessary travel. Even then it would be reasonable to ask whether the $10,000 Y per year would be used more satisfactorily by, e.g., directly buying D1 tickets on flights where that is particularly important. Or perhaps the reduced flying implied by less-than-$10,000 spend would make the perks of DM not worth it at all?
Actually for DM status I treasured most the pre-covid sky clubs as a place of quiet, GUC upgrades to D1, and excellent customer support; I tend not to travel during peak times and complimentary domestic upgrades made the RUCs not that important. It will not be possible to choose SkyClub access as a choice benefit, the clubs are no longer quiet, and upgrading to Premium Select is not particularly appealing. I don't think the $5,000Y artificial spend is worth it to me, so to come back to the topic of this thread my plan is to land softly at the status my travel leads me to, probably PM.
Other than those trips, my net out of pocket costs for $20,000 MQD, good for 2 years of DM were $2,600 or $1,300 per year. I'm satisfied with that!
Sky Clubs? I have a lifetime membership! The most meaningful CBs for me are gifting GM to 2 people and actual $ credits. I take GUC's to use for a trip where I have a firm TATL schedule or I'm on a Business trip, which is a rare occurrence. Otherwise, we travel on off days and off hours in D1 as NRSAs.
So your strategy doesn't work for me and mine doesn't work for you. Everyone else has their own priorities, needs and resources. Please don't judge us based on your requirements.
Feb 7, 2023, 12:07 am
#68
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: On the run
Programs: DL 2MM/DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 573
Spent 2022 as a UA 1K, DL DM, and AA PlatPro. Not impressed with UA, as IAD and EWR are dumps, United Clubs are awful, and Polaris cabin soft product needs a lot of improvement. My upgrades cleared at higher percentage on UA > DL > AA, but at least DL has a ‘full” selection of PDB when offered compared to UA and AA of sparkling wine or OJ. With ‘free’ tablet/laptop Wifi on Delta starting this month, this is an advantage over UA and AA. At least sitting in DL Y there is live TV, compared to AA and UA staring at a blank seat back. Being based in CHS, my closest AA hub is CLT, which is an other crowded dump, as I prefer ATL over CLT or IAD. DCA is OK. When connecting in the New York area for offseason TATL, JFK is preferred over EWR, especially with the JFK Centurion Lounge. The new UA EWR club is nothing to write home about. Regarding partner airlines, DL has a tighter alliance with AF/KLM, compared to UA with the LH group. DL will solve issues with AF/KLM, whereas UA will punt and good luck dealing with LH group when an issue arises.
Therefore, 2023 will have 90% of my travel on DL, as I remain UA gold. Maintaining DL DM with $20k MQD spend shouldn’t be an issue, especially when booking premium cabins on either AF/KLM. DL also has the most direct flights to either LGA/JFK from my home base of CHS.
Therefore, 2023 will have 90% of my travel on DL, as I remain UA gold. Maintaining DL DM with $20k MQD spend shouldn’t be an issue, especially when booking premium cabins on either AF/KLM. DL also has the most direct flights to either LGA/JFK from my home base of CHS.
Feb 7, 2023, 8:10 am
#69
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 92
I guess your NRSA travel means that you spend less than $10,000 annually, so the once-every-two-years strategy makes financial sense. Whether the remainder of the equation makes sense or not is of course up to the individual.
Last edited by speede racer; Feb 8, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Feb 8, 2023, 6:03 pm
#70
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,602
For any flyer in the US with lots of domestic travel the real cost of 2k for 2 yrs of easy travel is probably worth it
Feb 8, 2023, 6:32 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,225
250k Amex spend costs anyone 2.625c lost cash back = 6500$ - then add in 550$ x2 in fees = 7600$ - less 2500$ in miles leaves us with cost of $5000 for 2 yrs of free domestic upgrades on DL and the choice benefits - to me the best are GM status gift or 4 GUCs and 8 RUCs. Even thinking GUC is worth min 500$ vs RUCs at least 150$ extra value above routine upgrades = about 3000$ value in guaranteed upgrades on top of routine upgrades
For any flyer in the US with lots of domestic travel the real cost of 2k for 2 yrs of easy travel is probably worth it
For any flyer in the US with lots of domestic travel the real cost of 2k for 2 yrs of easy travel is probably worth it
Feb 8, 2023, 7:41 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BHM LEX NYC
Programs: 3MM DM, DL Reserve, HH Diamond, Nat Exec Elite, SPG, PC, etc...
Posts: 440
This thread has been helpful as I also transition to AA from DL has a BHM based flyer.
AA just makes more sense now days and the DL product has become less and less attractive, especially so with their service here at BHM which is comically wrong for a market of this size.
AA just makes more sense now days and the DL product has become less and less attractive, especially so with their service here at BHM which is comically wrong for a market of this size.
Feb 8, 2023, 7:59 pm
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,132
This thread has been helpful as I also transition to AA from DL has a BHM based flyer.
AA just makes more sense now days and the DL product has become less and less attractive, especially so with their service here at BHM which is comically wrong for a market of this size.
AA just makes more sense now days and the DL product has become less and less attractive, especially so with their service here at BHM which is comically wrong for a market of this size.
Feb 9, 2023, 8:54 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,485
250k Amex spend costs anyone 2.625c lost cash back = 6500$ - then add in 550$ x2 in fees = 7600$ - less 2500$ in miles leaves us with cost of $5000 for 2 yrs of free domestic upgrades on DL and the choice benefits - to me the best are GM status gift or 4 GUCs and 8 RUCs. Even thinking GUC is worth min 500$ vs RUCs at least 150$ extra value above routine upgrades = about 3000$ value in guaranteed upgrades on top of routine upgrades
For any flyer in the US with lots of domestic travel the real cost of 2k for 2 yrs of easy travel is probably worth it
For any flyer in the US with lots of domestic travel the real cost of 2k for 2 yrs of easy travel is probably worth it
However, I usually don't include the AF in this calculation because the card stands on its own without putting any spend on it.
Feb 9, 2023, 8:58 am
#75
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,911
250K in spend in January is a lot. I'm happy with trying to hit Diamond in a more old fashioned way (one or two transatlantic business trips in J, two or three transcon business trips in J, normal domestic travel, one or two Amex Reserve boosts).