New strategy going forward
Sep 16, 23, 1:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: GRB
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 290
New strategy going forward
I had made it to DM for a few years before the MQD waiver of $250k spend made that impossible, and have dropped down to PM since then. Recently made 1MM. Hold DL platinum Amex (for the MQM boost and MQD waiver) and vanilla platinum Amex for Sky Club access. All travel is leisure, paid by me. Almost always book Main domestically, and travel in biz/first internationally in other alliances using points and miles (since SkyMiles have been nearly worthless recently).
Currently sitting at about 175k MQM and $6k MQD for 2024, and have already met the $25k waiver to keep PM for probably the last time.
1. Im pretty far away with MQDs and theres not much time left, but starting to think about whether MQD runs for DM in 2024 would be worth it.
2. For Sky Club access going forward, will plan to buy membership thanks to 1MM annual silver, downgrade the DL platinum Amex, and probably downgrade the vanilla platinum Amex as well since I have priority pass anyway through the capital one venture X card. Does that sound reasonable?
3. Best convertible points card to put $25-50k annual spend on going forward? Cash back doesnt sound very exciting. Even better if could be a Visa, so I could use it at Costco as well.
Currently sitting at about 175k MQM and $6k MQD for 2024, and have already met the $25k waiver to keep PM for probably the last time.
1. Im pretty far away with MQDs and theres not much time left, but starting to think about whether MQD runs for DM in 2024 would be worth it.
2. For Sky Club access going forward, will plan to buy membership thanks to 1MM annual silver, downgrade the DL platinum Amex, and probably downgrade the vanilla platinum Amex as well since I have priority pass anyway through the capital one venture X card. Does that sound reasonable?
3. Best convertible points card to put $25-50k annual spend on going forward? Cash back doesnt sound very exciting. Even better if could be a Visa, so I could use it at Costco as well.
Sep 16, 23, 2:52 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.5MM; AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 20,787
sounds similar to me: DL Plat AmEx, 1.5MM, 12 years at PM (last five also Alaska 75K); will start 2024 as PM with ~420k RDM (or 320k and ~$10k MQD); OPM TCON travel goes away after two or three trips in Jan/Feb
next year’s personal travel is a companion fare TCON and one or two paid J TATL, plus some other cats-and-dogs trips that will be 15% discounted awards if we opt for DL — other than the companion fare, all that could easily be credited to AS
wrt Question 3 — don’t really want to get a new card, but might consider switching to generic AmEx Plat to use MR points as transfer currency
next year’s personal travel is a companion fare TCON and one or two paid J TATL, plus some other cats-and-dogs trips that will be 15% discounted awards if we opt for DL — other than the companion fare, all that could easily be credited to AS
wrt Question 3 — don’t really want to get a new card, but might consider switching to generic AmEx Plat to use MR points as transfer currency
Sep 16, 23, 1:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,328
Mine might buy me a one way up and down on the east coast in coach.
Have already set in motion plans to ditch both my Amex and DL Amex plats. In fairness, I was considering ditching prior to this, but now no longer need to think about the issue.
Sep 16, 23, 7:54 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 9,679
My situation isn't too different. I'm weighing whether I'll want the MQDs for my MQMs or just take the RDMs. I guess I'll have to see the details when they get released.
Meanwhile, the only times I'll need to fly Delta will be when my status helps me. I certainly won't need it now to earn any more status with them. I'm flying in a few days, but I think my Delta ticket is still the best. Next trip I've rebooked on AA - better pricing and times. I would have made those sacrifices before for a Delta flight, but now? Really no point. I don't think I'll be chasing AA status, but better times and pricing . . . that's enough.
I did realize that I can't be totally done with Delta Amexes until I burn through my stash of RDMs. I'll still want the 15% off. So I'll downgrade to the Gold to save on the fee. I guess I can do that now frankly.
Meanwhile, the only times I'll need to fly Delta will be when my status helps me. I certainly won't need it now to earn any more status with them. I'm flying in a few days, but I think my Delta ticket is still the best. Next trip I've rebooked on AA - better pricing and times. I would have made those sacrifices before for a Delta flight, but now? Really no point. I don't think I'll be chasing AA status, but better times and pricing . . . that's enough.
I did realize that I can't be totally done with Delta Amexes until I burn through my stash of RDMs. I'll still want the 15% off. So I'll downgrade to the Gold to save on the fee. I guess I can do that now frankly.
Sep 16, 23, 8:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Programs: Delta DM, United Silver, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 786
I had made it to DM for a few years before the MQD waiver of $250k spend made that impossible, and have dropped down to PM since then. Recently made 1MM. Hold DL platinum Amex (for the MQM boost and MQD waiver) and vanilla platinum Amex for Sky Club access. All travel is leisure, paid by me. Almost always book Main domestically, and travel in biz/first internationally in other alliances using points and miles (since SkyMiles have been nearly worthless recently).
Currently sitting at about 175k MQM and $6k MQD for 2024, and have already met the $25k waiver to keep PM for probably the last time.
1. I’m pretty far away with MQDs and there’s not much time left, but starting to think about whether MQD runs for DM in 2024 would be worth it.
2. For Sky Club access going forward, will plan to buy membership thanks to 1MM annual silver, downgrade the DL platinum Amex, and probably downgrade the vanilla platinum Amex as well since I have priority pass anyway through the capital one venture X card. Does that sound reasonable?
3. Best convertible points card to put $25-50k annual spend on going forward? Cash back doesn’t sound very exciting. Even better if could be a Visa, so I could use it at Costco as well.
Currently sitting at about 175k MQM and $6k MQD for 2024, and have already met the $25k waiver to keep PM for probably the last time.
1. I’m pretty far away with MQDs and there’s not much time left, but starting to think about whether MQD runs for DM in 2024 would be worth it.
2. For Sky Club access going forward, will plan to buy membership thanks to 1MM annual silver, downgrade the DL platinum Amex, and probably downgrade the vanilla platinum Amex as well since I have priority pass anyway through the capital one venture X card. Does that sound reasonable?
3. Best convertible points card to put $25-50k annual spend on going forward? Cash back doesn’t sound very exciting. Even better if could be a Visa, so I could use it at Costco as well.
2 - Yes.
3 - Chase Sapphire Reserve. $550 AF, $300 travel credit that can be used on anything (including buying airfare or staying at a hotel), so effectively $250 AF. 3x points on dining and travel and PP lounge access. 60k sign up bonus.
Sep 16, 23, 8:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL PM, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,404
1. depends on whether you can get use out of the RUCs and GUCs
2. If annual spend high then a Plat Amex; if not the membership
3. You already have the best visa card for points = Venture X= 2x earn compared to 1x with Sapphire.
See my thread here on actual cost per mile when you get them by ongoing spend (not by SUBs)
Cost of miles by using transferable currencies
The only ones you do worse are United and Hyatt. If you want them, get an unlimited or Ink Cash and then the preferred.
The Reserve will cost you 150$ more and will be worth it only if you have massive spend on bonus categories like travel and dining
and for cashing out at 1.5c instead of 1.25c - get all travel reimbursed via card
(get miles @1.5x with the unlimited and cash out @1.5c with the Sapphire Reserve @1.5x1.5 = 2.25c per $ spend
Not really; The prefererred is good enough for OP as he has Venture X
2. If annual spend high then a Plat Amex; if not the membership
3. You already have the best visa card for points = Venture X= 2x earn compared to 1x with Sapphire.
See my thread here on actual cost per mile when you get them by ongoing spend (not by SUBs)
Cost of miles by using transferable currencies
The only ones you do worse are United and Hyatt. If you want them, get an unlimited or Ink Cash and then the preferred.
The Reserve will cost you 150$ more and will be worth it only if you have massive spend on bonus categories like travel and dining
and for cashing out at 1.5c instead of 1.25c - get all travel reimbursed via card
(get miles @1.5x with the unlimited and cash out @1.5c with the Sapphire Reserve @1.5x1.5 = 2.25c per $ spend
Currently sitting at about 175k MQM and $6k MQD for 2024, and have already met the $25k waiver to keep PM
1. Im pretty far away with MQDs and theres not much time left, but starting to think about whether MQD runs for DM in 2024 would be worth it.
2. For Sky Club access going forward, will plan to buy membership thanks to 1MM annual silver, downgrade the DL platinum Amex, and probably downgrade the vanilla platinum Amex as well since I have priority pass anyway through the capital one venture X card. Does that sound reasonable?
3. Best convertible points card to put $25-50k annual spend on going forward? Cash back doesnt sound very exciting. Even better if could be a Visa, so I could use it at Costco as well.
1. Im pretty far away with MQDs and theres not much time left, but starting to think about whether MQD runs for DM in 2024 would be worth it.
2. For Sky Club access going forward, will plan to buy membership thanks to 1MM annual silver, downgrade the DL platinum Amex, and probably downgrade the vanilla platinum Amex as well since I have priority pass anyway through the capital one venture X card. Does that sound reasonable?
3. Best convertible points card to put $25-50k annual spend on going forward? Cash back doesnt sound very exciting. Even better if could be a Visa, so I could use it at Costco as well.
Sep 16, 23, 9:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 1,998
Wow. That is a lot of MQMs to convert on the roll. About 1M?
Mine might buy me a one way up and down on the east coast in coach.
Have already set in motion plans to ditch both my Amex and DL Amex plats. In fairness, I was considering ditching prior to this, but now no longer need to think about the issue.
Mine might buy me a one way up and down on the east coast in coach.
Have already set in motion plans to ditch both my Amex and DL Amex plats. In fairness, I was considering ditching prior to this, but now no longer need to think about the issue.
Sep 16, 23, 9:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 1,998
Oh that's a good point I had forgotten. Good idea on the downgrade.
Sep 17, 23, 11:32 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: GRB
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 290
100%. It almost feels like a spell has been broken. Ironically it may well be that my spend on Delta goes down as a result of these changes, since status higher than the 1MM annual silver has become effectively unreachable for me (without drastically changing my lifestyle).
Sep 17, 23, 1:23 pm
#12
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,329
It is impossible to overstate just how much the Delta Vacations booking interface sucks. If you are booking a trip with two fixed dates between two fixed airports, it's barely adequate. As soon as you want to compare different dates, or multiple airports/destinations, the slowness and clunkiness of the interface means you will end up spending as much time booking the vacation as the trip itself.
Sep 17, 23, 8:08 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Waffle House DM
Posts: 453
“MQD runs”? I can’t see the logic of spending more on Delta flights to compensate for the fact Delta are trying to get you to spend more on Delta flights…
The point of a mileage run was to boost MQMs at the lowest CPM available. You aren’t doing that with MQDs. If you wanted to increase your MQDs you would be better off buying a higher class of fare for the places you want to go to, rather than wasting time and money going somewhere you don’t need to go. But as I started with, the Delta Medallion changes are designed purely for people who are going to spend more on tickets, if that’s not you, don’t end up spending more by an indirect means.
The point of a mileage run was to boost MQMs at the lowest CPM available. You aren’t doing that with MQDs. If you wanted to increase your MQDs you would be better off buying a higher class of fare for the places you want to go to, rather than wasting time and money going somewhere you don’t need to go. But as I started with, the Delta Medallion changes are designed purely for people who are going to spend more on tickets, if that’s not you, don’t end up spending more by an indirect means.
Sep 17, 23, 8:14 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 4,651
MQD runs? I cant see the logic of spending more on Delta flights to compensate for the fact Delta are trying to get you to spend more on Delta flights
The point of a mileage run was to boost MQMs at the lowest CPM available. You arent doing that with MQDs. If you wanted to increase your MQDs you would be better off buying a higher class of fare for the places you want to go to, rather than wasting time and money going somewhere you dont need to go. But as I started with, the Delta Medallion changes are designed purely for people who are going to spend more on tickets, if thats not you, dont end up spending more by an indirect means.
The point of a mileage run was to boost MQMs at the lowest CPM available. You arent doing that with MQDs. If you wanted to increase your MQDs you would be better off buying a higher class of fare for the places you want to go to, rather than wasting time and money going somewhere you dont need to go. But as I started with, the Delta Medallion changes are designed purely for people who are going to spend more on tickets, if thats not you, dont end up spending more by an indirect means.
Sep 17, 23, 9:02 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 482
This is a good replacement. Add Freedom Unlimited and you can combine UR points. Love having new partners you can transfer to, especially Hyatt. Their redemption for hotel stays are unrivaled. Also, using UR points to book travel is very competitive.
Last edited by golfr; Sep 26, 23 at 8:47 am
