Yes, there is a deduction if you meet that level anyway.

As to why? Because Delta says so. They make the rules.

So, I'm working out my own calculus. Delta Reserve+$75k spend gets Gold+blank check lounge access before accounting for any flying, at least for the moment. If the cards weren't otherwise so weak, that'd be a slam dunk. Platinum becomes workable (on paper, at least) - either $5k more in MQD spend, $50k more in CC spend, or another card (or two) yielding $2500 MQD. A Plat in a sock drawer is a valid option here.

The $13k gap between Plat and Diamond is just a dog that won't hunt at this time. The 10:1 spend ratio, wimpy MQD earn via DL's portal(s), and so on just...doesn't make that work.

In the meantime I'm trying to sort where I'll land over at AA/BA vis-a-vis this. I've got a year or so to actually make a decision (I'm burning a RUC on a flight in a week or two in order to take care of the extra year-o-status), so I'm giving AA a shot while I have that (DL was about a week too slow on the back-off).

Yes you can use the $10k Amex MQD plus 180k MQM and be DM on 2/1/24.

One has nothing to do with the other. DL will deduct 25/50/75/125k MQMs on 1/1/24 depending on what 2024 status you achieved. MM is irrelevant for this purpose.

So, Delta went from reducing the number of status holders at each level to rewarding the folks who managed to sit on their MQMs through Covid, and gifting status to the MM clubs. I sort of wish they had left the whole thing alone.

I was looking forward to status actually meaning something, but Delta has pulled the trigger on upgrades remaining a lotto situation with inflated numbers at each level, so I suppose I'll just remain in the "Buy the seats you want" program.

Which is sort of fine, though since I'm not in an MM club, it changes how I'll shop for tickets, and I am annoyed enough to consider other airlines now.

I'm currently DM, but I'm not seeing what that buys me any more, other than a couple of upgrade credits that I have to stress over.


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Just went to X (Twitter) to check some updates, and Delta tweeted "ehat should we be for Halloween? We�re thinking plane." I've had to proverbially bring out popcorn as I read just how many snarky responses about loyalty and meaningful award Redemption there were. Now I know this is all so subjective, but apparently, there's still a lot of negativity around 9/14 that even the 10/18 announcement couldn't placate. They boiled the.frog too quickly, and everyone now knows who they are....

the legacy loyalists hit the jackpot and everyone else to the curb.

Unclear how you "use" the MQD boost from the Amex? Also, what is the timing of the boost? My reserve renews in January and was thinking of downgrading to the Gold but if the boost will hit on 2/1/24 then I might keep it longer.

I know you get a 2,500 MQD boost from each Platinum/Reserve card. Not Gold. Not sure if the exact timing if it�s 1/1/24 or 2/1/24. You can cancel your Amex within 30 days of billing and get the annual fee refunded. You might wish to downgrade to the Platinum not Gold for the companion cert plus 2,500 MQD.

I do suspect that Delta got some really brutal feedback from larger corporate clients and overcorrected to keep them happy. One DM is change left in a seat back pocket for Delta but a travel decision maker at a major company that calls their contact at Delta and says ‘I’m got 500+ DMs and another 3,000 PMs and I’m getting messages left and right about how angry they are with the changes and can we got on more United or American flights now?’ Is going to be at a level where Delta does have to care.

Or else it was really brutal feedback from actual Amex customers who voted with their wallets and imperiled DL's stated goal to drive Amex remuneration to $10B/year (from the current $7B/year). Actual Amex card data might have begun to suggest that even the $7B/year level was at significant risk.

Always consider the source, but I called a few different times and was consistently told:
- Rollover MQM deduction for 2024 status qualification will occur as usual at end of 2023/early 2024
- As the terms/conditions confirm, status earned for the 2024 is what is used for the 100k MQM/year extension option (initial info I reported from the Twitter agent was indeed incorrect, as we all thought)
- DM choice benefits will be provided for each year status is extended using 100k MQMs/year but PM choice benefits are provided only if the PM MQD threshold is reached.

For my own family, we'll have two people extend DM for four years in the 100k MQM/year scheme. Won't be able to justify Amex spend to try and obtain PM choice benefits. So we'll have to figure out how to split up and maximize ~600k in spend on other cards.

I've tried to keep up with everything, but could someone clarify when the credit card MQM Head-start is required to be active?

Do I need to credit card by December 31st, 2023?
Do I need the credit card prior to when the head-start is given (February 1, 2024)?
Or, will the head start be applied shortly after I get the credit card in 2024 even if it's after February 1st?

Now that Delta has changed the game yet again here we go.......I am $8K away in MQD from making Diamond for 2024, and with a few more flights will have enough rollover MQM to trade for Diamond in 2025 as well. The MQM part of the equation is easily solved by going back to charging expenses on my Delta co branded Amex cards, and taking flights I need to take anyway by Dec 31st. The harder part is clearing the MQD threshold for Diamond. I have a trip to Paris planned in December. Under the current rules if I book a luxury hotel there through the Delta website and spend say $5000, will those count as MQD toward Diamond for 2024 or do I only earn MQD through Delta or partner airline ticket spend?

My guess would be that having the card anytime during 2024, or certainly anytime after 1/31/2024, would give you the headstart.