Happy with the changes….
Sep 21, 2023 | 11:25 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 204
Seems like a lot of pearl-clutching by a MINORITY of Skymiles members reliant on their AMEX to get them lounge access and better Medallion status for domestic upgrades. Per Delta, 70% of Skymiles members do NOT have a Delta-branded credit card (https://www.fastcompany.com/90934980...ards-its-a-lot).
Ease of climbing the elite-tier ladder got more difficult, but this has always been the case for all airlines year by year, and every "frequent-flyer" worthy of the label ought to be used to it.
I recall the similar furors when Delta stopped publishing award redemption charts. And when checked bag fees were introduced. And when in-flight drinks stopped being free. Wonder how many of those who promised to stop flying Delta actually left.
Ease of climbing the elite-tier ladder got more difficult, but this has always been the case for all airlines year by year, and every "frequent-flyer" worthy of the label ought to be used to it.
I recall the similar furors when Delta stopped publishing award redemption charts. And when checked bag fees were introduced. And when in-flight drinks stopped being free. Wonder how many of those who promised to stop flying Delta actually left.
It was not really until now that Delta really messed with status. And they did so pretty dramatically. Now the status level that many people have become accustomed to feels totally out of reach for them. Unlike the gradual RDM devaluation, it’s going to be very obvious to people that they’re not getting anywhere close to what they got the year before, even if their activity hasn’t changed. And unlike the RDM devaluation (and other changes), this time, there’s nothing really left for people to chase. Status was pretty much the last thing remaining.
So, this one feels different. Whether it makes a difference to Delta, we will see. But I think it’s fair to say that Delta definitely botched the roll out. I don’t remember any of the past devaluations by any of the airlines getting anything close to this level of attention
Sep 22, 2023 | 7:06 pm
#62
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: 4,902
The $250k spend waiver for DM was introduced well before the pandemic; now it is $350k using all spend on DL
So some one who was flying 10k MQD and spending to get the waiver then will still get DM with same pattern of spend
10k MQD flying and 25k MQD from 250k spend- no real difference.
Factoring in inflation in costs and in ticket prices, the number of such DMs will not be affected.
A great analysis on perceived value from the program.
So some one who was flying 10k MQD and spending to get the waiver then will still get DM with same pattern of spend
10k MQD flying and 25k MQD from 250k spend- no real difference.
Factoring in inflation in costs and in ticket prices, the number of such DMs will not be affected.
They increased MQD requirements from 15,000 to 20,000 this year, which is a substantial increase.
But, then, PM may be the old DM, and DM the old Delta 360 under this program.
........but all else being equal, it will be about value (which is different from being about price, I might add).
But, then, PM may be the old DM, and DM the old Delta 360 under this program.
........but all else being equal, it will be about value (which is different from being about price, I might add).
...but the thing people tend to care the most about is status, and status has still remained relatively attainable.
The program definitely shifted from earning RDMs for a great award redemption to earning MQMs/MDQs to get some perks while flying. But those perks were, to varying degrees, worth chasing and were relatively attainable.
It was not really until now that Delta really messed with status. And they did so pretty dramatically. Now the status level that many people have become accustomed to feels totally out of reach for them. Unlike the gradual RDM devaluation, it’s going to be very obvious to people that they’re not getting anywhere close to what they got the year before, even if their activity hasn’t changed. And unlike the RDM devaluation (and other changes), this time, there’s nothing really left for people to chase. Status was pretty much the last thing remaining.
The program definitely shifted from earning RDMs for a great award redemption to earning MQMs/MDQs to get some perks while flying. But those perks were, to varying degrees, worth chasing and were relatively attainable.
It was not really until now that Delta really messed with status. And they did so pretty dramatically. Now the status level that many people have become accustomed to feels totally out of reach for them. Unlike the gradual RDM devaluation, it’s going to be very obvious to people that they’re not getting anywhere close to what they got the year before, even if their activity hasn’t changed. And unlike the RDM devaluation (and other changes), this time, there’s nothing really left for people to chase. Status was pretty much the last thing remaining.