Delta Announcing Changes to Status Qualification
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:05 am
#286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Titanium, "Lifetime" DL DM (subject to DL CEO whims)
Posts: 12,801
Yeah - I actually wonder why Delta went back so far to reward MM and those with big rollover MQMs. Shouldn't people who are currently driving the most spend through Delta get priority over those that did in the past? Don't take stuff away from MM members, and maybe don't totally get rid of the big rollover balances, but fundamentally, a 30 year old road warrior (presumably without big MQM rollover and who has not reached MM yet) who is making DM organically every year with current spend should get priority over those that are rolling over Diamond and/or are MM, but aren't flying or spending as much today...
Isn't my receiving a pension unfair to a 30 YO employee who is currently working? After all I am not contributing to the company income now that I have retired.
So what if I contributed to the company financials when I was working? What have I done for them lately?
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:09 am
#287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 17,194
Highly doubt it, as that would be an epic marketing/PR miscalculation. Was bad enough they weren't expecting a revolt, but if they actually anticipated/expected it and did it anyway with planned rollback then that would be just epically stupid. From how it took a few weeks to announce changes after admitting they went to far, that points to this being put together with marathon internal meetings and reviews... and likely multiple people on the chopping block.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:10 am
#288
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM 1MM, HH Gold, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 25
Ok so I am DM for 2023, and I have requalified for DM in 2024. I will end 2023 with 350k MQMs
350k - 125k for 2024 DM status = 225k roll over
100k - 2025 DM status
100k - 2026 DM status
25k remaining to be converted into miles, MQDs etc.
Does this track? Just curious if I am understanding the process correctly.
350k - 125k for 2024 DM status = 225k roll over
100k - 2025 DM status
100k - 2026 DM status
25k remaining to be converted into miles, MQDs etc.
Does this track? Just curious if I am understanding the process correctly.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:13 am
#289
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: MEM/TUP
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 29
Too much info!
Didn't wade thru whole thread (made it halfway!) so I apologize if these questions have already been answered:
1. Are the 10 or 15 Skyclub visits useable for 2nd passenger? Example - If I earn the $75K Skyclub benefit on Reserve do I still have the 15 days to use on other pax with me?
2. Is the $2500 MQD for card holders a one time bump or is that every year going forward?
Thanks for the info and this is better (not great) than what we had before on the earlier changes.
FH
Didn't wade thru whole thread (made it halfway!) so I apologize if these questions have already been answered:
1. Are the 10 or 15 Skyclub visits useable for 2nd passenger? Example - If I earn the $75K Skyclub benefit on Reserve do I still have the 15 days to use on other pax with me?
2. Is the $2500 MQD for card holders a one time bump or is that every year going forward?
Thanks for the info and this is better (not great) than what we had before on the earlier changes.
FH
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:18 am
#290
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Franche Comt, FR, Atlanta, USA
Programs: DL DM-3MM, BA Gold, A3 Gold, AF Plat
Posts: 641
Ok so I am DM for 2023, and I have requalified for DM in 2024. I will end 2023 with 350k MQMs
350k - 125k for 2024 DM status = 225k roll over
100k - 2025 DM status
100k - 2026 DM status
25k remaining to be converted into miles, MQDs etc.
Does this track? Just curious if I am understanding the process correctly.
350k - 125k for 2024 DM status = 225k roll over
100k - 2025 DM status
100k - 2026 DM status
25k remaining to be converted into miles, MQDs etc.
Does this track? Just curious if I am understanding the process correctly.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:32 am
#291
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 18
I would be floored if choice benefits came with status extension. Doing so would practically eliminate any incentive for many of us to engage with Delta as we have until now - in some cases for several years. The only remaining reason to earn status would be the tiebreaker for first class upgrades, which as we all know are becoming rarer than hen's teeth anyway.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:33 am
#292
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 204
I have read extend and extension on their website, and now that you mentioned it, I read complimentary in their email, which seems conflicting. They should clarify.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:37 am
#293
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,801
There were no changes for this year, why would anyone who was invested in the Delta for the first nine months leave for the last three, that would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
The reality is the program they initially announced did nothing to attract customers and made Delta uncompetitive with its competition, they were going to lose customers (and they still may).
I also believe Delta saw the writing on the wall of downgrades, cancellations, and renewals of Delta AMEX cards, there was no longer a reason to have multiple cards as some did, that's why they implemented the MQD boost on a per card basis.
The reality is the program they initially announced did nothing to attract customers and made Delta uncompetitive with its competition, they were going to lose customers (and they still may).
I also believe Delta saw the writing on the wall of downgrades, cancellations, and renewals of Delta AMEX cards, there was no longer a reason to have multiple cards as some did, that's why they implemented the MQD boost on a per card basis.
The fact that there were no changes this year didn't stop a lot of people from whining and storming off. I know several who did. I have a friend who immediately cancelled her Reserve card because "they won't let me visit every time I want" She was completely oblivious to the fact that she could have gone as often as she wanted in 2024, she was letting Amex KNOW how she felt. LOL!
If Delta felt an impact then a lot of people decided that "even though I have status for 2024 I won't use it to prove to Delta how important I am" Makes no sense to me but.... Neither does "well Delta loves me so I will spend a lot more on those flights" LOL! -
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:37 am
#294
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 158
Too much info!
Didn't wade thru whole thread (made it halfway!) so I apologize if these questions have already been answered:
1. Are the 10 or 15 Skyclub visits useable for 2nd passenger? Example - If I earn the $75K Skyclub benefit on Reserve do I still have the 15 days to use on other pax with me?
2. Is the $2500 MQD for card holders a one time bump or is that every year going forward?
Thanks for the info and this is better (not great) than what we had before on the earlier changes.
FH
Didn't wade thru whole thread (made it halfway!) so I apologize if these questions have already been answered:
1. Are the 10 or 15 Skyclub visits useable for 2nd passenger? Example - If I earn the $75K Skyclub benefit on Reserve do I still have the 15 days to use on other pax with me?
2. Is the $2500 MQD for card holders a one time bump or is that every year going forward?
Thanks for the info and this is better (not great) than what we had before on the earlier changes.
FH
2) "Beginning February 2024, Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card Members will receive an MQD Headstart of $2,500 MQDs per Card for the current Medallion Qualification Year" makes it sound like it's every year, though they can of course change things whenever they want. I'd be surprised if they got rid of it without replacing it without something , with all the cancellations amex has already had, I doubt they don't want to play games for at least a little while.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:38 am
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 28,002
In case hasn't been noticed (it's buried in the T&C section). We will now earn MQD on partner operated award flights, booked using DL Skymiles.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:38 am
#296
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Programs: DL
Posts: 90
For a quick fix, it's not bad
The cardinal sin of business alienating your best customers and partners is mostly fixed in this latest announcement, and it repairs some of the longstanding but obvious logical gaps in the Million Miler program.
I can only imagine the fulminations at American Express when Delta rolled out the previous iteration of SkyMiles '24.
My money is on yet another series of "improvements" being announced in late '24, after Delta's data modeling of actual 2023/24 passenger behavior reveals some unintended consequences among early career frequent fliers.
I can only imagine the fulminations at American Express when Delta rolled out the previous iteration of SkyMiles '24.
My money is on yet another series of "improvements" being announced in late '24, after Delta's data modeling of actual 2023/24 passenger behavior reveals some unintended consequences among early career frequent fliers.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:40 am
#297
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,801
The cardinal sin of business alienating your best customers and partners is mostly fixed in this latest announcement, and it repairs some of the longstanding but obvious logical gaps in the Million Miler program.
I can only imagine the fulminations at American Express when Delta rolled out the previous iteration of SkyMiles '24.
My money is on yet another series of "improvements" being announced in late '24, after Delta's data modeling of actual 2023/24 passenger behavior reveals some unintended consequences among early career frequent fliers.
I can only imagine the fulminations at American Express when Delta rolled out the previous iteration of SkyMiles '24.
My money is on yet another series of "improvements" being announced in late '24, after Delta's data modeling of actual 2023/24 passenger behavior reveals some unintended consequences among early career frequent fliers.
There is NO way Amex was not FULLY aware of what Delta was rolling out. THose of you who believe that are not facing reality. Amex knew what was being rolled out and had agreed!
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:41 am
#298
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,598
I would be floored if choice benefits came with status extension. Doing so would practically eliminate any incentive for many of us to engage with Delta as we have until now - in some cases for several years. The only remaining reason to earn status would be the tiebreaker for first class upgrades, which as we all know are becoming rarer than hen's teeth anyway.
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:44 am
#299
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,801
Why would they have to be included? I have lifetime Titanium on Marriott... but I don't get the "choice benefit" type of rewards unless I actually earn them each year. SO I get some benefits but not all And people still chase Marriott status anyway.
And the point of this all is to convince the "faithful" that "Delta still thinks I am one of the most important flyers ever" LOL IT's all about stroking egos!
And the point of this all is to convince the "faithful" that "Delta still thinks I am one of the most important flyers ever" LOL IT's all about stroking egos!
Oct 19, 2023 | 9:45 am
#300
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: DL Hub Captive x 2
Programs: Delta DM 1M Miler, Alaska Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HHonrs Diamond
Posts: 1,915
Highly doubt it, as that would be an epic marketing/PR miscalculation. Was bad enough they weren't expecting a revolt, but if they actually anticipated/expected it and did it anyway with planned rollback then that would be just epically stupid. From how it took a few weeks to announce changes after admitting they went to far, that points to this being put together with marathon internal meetings and reviews... and likely multiple people on the chopping block.
It began to affect Q3 so that they lowered guidance, but now will juice up Q4 since they have 2 1/2 more months of people who want the successive 100k MQM status extensions chasing that with CC spending through December 31.
However, all of this will still result in a significantly decreased AMEX card spend in 2024, and they haven't yet figured out a way to reward that. They just want you keep the card and pay the annual fee for the 5 additional SC visits. That's not enough to hit that $10B AMEX revenue they projected.