Skymiles Program Changes Coming 9/14?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0d138c1af6.png
Spotted this on r/Delta - who knows if there's any validity behind it, though it certainly wouldn't be surprising to see DL move to a more revenue based program ala AA's Loyalty Points. As someone who hits PM off of long, mostly inexpensive flights, and the MQD waiver, I can't think that any changes would be a good thing for me, but guess we'll just have to see what (if anything) is up. FWIW, the equivalent of PM on AA (Platinum Pro) is ~$14k in ticket spend assuming you already have the status and spend no money elsewhere in their ecosystem, and UA is $12k and 36 segments or $15k. I hit PM with ~$6k in MQD last year plus the Amex waiver, which probably isn't internally worth 9k to DL. |
This matrix took affect this year for 2024
I’d really be surprised if they raise beyond this for 2025, but then again, maybe nothing at DL surprises anymore.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5279177ae.jpeg Who thinks they’ll increase two years consecutively? |
Probably MQD waiver increasing above $25k for GM/PM.
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They would be stupid to raise elite levels (apart from perhaps the MQD waiver).
Business travel is still weak (and now that companies have tasted the cost savings combined with Zoom/WebEx/Google gaining broad business acceptance they aren't going to be rushing back to approve a lot of internal travel that was previously permitted. Leisure demand was pent up but at some point the interest rates will bite and that demand is going to soften. Plus their labor costs are soaring -- so it would be a boneheaded decision to try and cut down on their loyalty ranks even more than they've already done. That said Delta seems to be making decisions that are driven by the bean counters in contrast to their strong period from 2015 - 2020 when they were willing to spend money to make money and differentiate their brand |
Originally Posted by Duke787
(Post 35556186)
They would be stupid to raise elite levels (apart from perhaps the MQD waiver).
Business travel is still weak (and now that companies have tasted the cost savings combined with Zoom/WebEx/Google gaining broad business acceptance they aren't going to be rushing back to approve a lot of internal travel that was previously permitted. Leisure demand was pent up but at some point the interest rates will bite and that demand is going to soften. Plus their labor costs are soaring -- so it would be a boneheaded decision to try and cut down on their loyalty ranks even more than they've already done. That said Delta seems to be making decisions that are driven by the bean counters in contrast to their strong period from 2015 - 2020 when they were willing to spend money to make money and differentiate their brand |
I can see an increase in the Amex waiver.
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Originally Posted by skislc
(Post 35556002)
Spotted this on r/Delta - who knows if there's any validity behind it, though it certainly wouldn't be surprising to see DL move to a more revenue based program ala AA's Loyalty Points. As someone who hits PM off of long, mostly inexpensive flights, and the MQD waiver, I can't think that any changes would be a good thing for me, but guess we'll just have to see what (if anything) is up.
Unfortunately this further eliminates any sweet spots in the program, but I will say that in practice, what has been good with AA and UA's programs are that short haul flyers who pay an arm and a leg (and often on the worst equipment) no longer get penalized. |
The MQD AmEx waiver has to increase, maybe a sliding scale that FO remains at $25K, GM $35K and PM $50K. This will drive DL's goal of $10 billion annually from AmEx.
MQD thresholds increased for 2024 status and Choice Benefits changed for 2024. UA 1K is 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP or 24,000 PQP, as current DM is 20K MQD. AA is the original that issues credit cards and flys planes as a side hobby. AA's loyalty point program has many loopholes for bonus points to game the system. Don't forget that student loans resumed this month, as the freewheeling pent up leisure travel has an other headwind, along with a record $1 trillion in credit card balances with 20 year high interest rates. EDIT: This is the Reddit link. |
Originally Posted by dw
(Post 35556291)
Looking at the Reddit thread, the person who posted the pic says he doesn't have any firsthand knowledge, but has heard the changes are moving to a revenue based elite qualification system. Truth is, with earnings already being revenue based (and DL having been the leader there), and with AA and UA having moved to revenue based elite qualification, it's only a matter of time before DL follows.
Unfortunately this further eliminates any sweet spots in the program, but I will say that in practice, what has been good with AA and UA's programs are that short haul flyers who pay an arm and a leg (and often on the worst equipment) no longer get penalized. Here we go with an r/ rumor. |
Originally Posted by dw
(Post 35556291)
Looking at the Reddit thread, the person who posted the pic says he doesn't have any firsthand knowledge, but has heard the changes are moving to a revenue based elite qualification system. Truth is, with earnings already being revenue based (and DL having been the leader there), and with AA and UA having moved to revenue based elite qualification, it's only a matter of time before DL follows.
Unfortunately this further eliminates any sweet spots in the program, but I will say that in practice, what has been good with AA and UA's programs are that short haul flyers who pay an arm and a leg (and often on the worst equipment) no longer get penalized. |
I wonder what they’ll do to very heavy Amex spenders ($250k+) who don’t fly that much. Currently someone can sit home all year and fly just 5,000 miles and earn DM if they have 2 Reserve cards (business and personal).
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Originally Posted by sydneyracquelle
(Post 35556386)
I wonder what they’ll do to very heavy Amex spenders ($250k+) who don’t fly that much. Currently someone can sit home all year and fly just 5,000 miles and earn DM if they have 2 Reserve cards (business and personal).
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I can't imagine DL would be sending out that sort of dramatic communication (man the battlestations!) for a increase in the AMEX waiver. FT's concern about the AMEX waiver has always been outsized. There's this mythical DL customer who spends tons of money on the DL cards but doesn't fly DL and is somehow less of a DL medallion than people who fly all the time.
Moving to one spend-based metric is the logical move and a more significant change. I don't love it, but DL has pretty clearly defined what they want out of their customers. |
Ok, let’s think this thru.
in the last month we’ve heard rumors that: 1.) Plat and Reserve going to limited SC entry. 2.) MQMs going away 3.) Annual fee on Reserve going up 4.) MQD waiver going up to $75k. can you honestly imagine delta doing all of these in one swoop? |
Originally Posted by steveholt
(Post 35556480)
I can't imagine DL would be sending out that sort of dramatic communication (man the battlestations!) for a increase in the AMEX waiver. FT's concern about the AMEX waiver has always been outsized. There's this mythical DL customer who spends tons of money on the DL cards but doesn't fly DL and is somehow less of a DL medallion than people who fly all the time.
Moving to one spend-based metric is the logical move and a more significant change. I don't love it, but DL has pretty clearly defined what they want out of their customers. |
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