So it looks like I start out with 3500 MQD as a lowly Silver - the 2500 initial one-time boost, and 1000 from rolling over my excess 20k MQM (I'm ending 2023 with 45k MQM).

Are they keeping the MQD for award redemptions? I have two unused RUCs I'd like to use in January and it'll be about $480 cash price or 41k in miles.

If I can get to the end of January at 3900 MQD, and if I can still spend 110k RDM to get the other 1100 MQD, that will suit the dual purpose of liquidating RDM and keeping Silver for one more year while still downgrading my DL AMEX from Plat to Gold.

There's confusion on the SkyMiles Life FB page, which is an official Delta outlet. If someone has two cards of the same level (one regular and one Business), does that count for 5,000 MQDs on the Headstart, or is it one of each?

I could see it working both ways; there HAVE to be people with one of each who could benefit, but I could also see Ed cringing at people potentially cheesing status (even though it would be a big seller in my book; Marriott puts you halfway to status just by having one of their cards).

And when I cancel my AMEX Plat next May, this is one of the reasons I will cite for doing so.

Is that confirmed somewhere? The email I got just says "complimentary Medallion Status at your current tier", but did not specify a year. Definitely an important element of the decision criteria as I'm sure a number of DMs in 2023 will be PM in 2024.

The AMEX Platinum card is now extended to 10 days of visits (from 6 individual club visits) and becomes unlimited after $75K in spending (same threshold as Centurion Lounge Complimentary Guest Access).

This is hysterical. Delta just removed any incentive for me to actually use the credit card. They made me a platinum and they�re going to give me enough visits that combined with my other credit cards mean I should never even bother to pull the Delta AMEX out of my wallet

This is a really big rollback - it is kind of funny. AA customers were like "Yeah - I want to earn AA miles on hotel bookings!" Delta customers were like "No way! I don't want to bother with Delta Stays and Car rentals." Kind of funny

Overall I'm quite pleased! And honestly, surprised that the rollbacks were so significant. Sounds like the feedback, internet backlash, and emails worked. There must've been significant Amex cancellations and drop in medallion member bookings.

These status qualifier changes brings back levels to us frequent fliers to more of a "within reach" level versus the absurd levels previously announced.

For me, I should be able to maintain DM status that I will be achieving next month for a couple of years, and PM status for my spouse based on our travel/spend patterns. We all knew changes were coming, but these are far more reasonable and obtainable. Good job, Delta.

Personally, I would have liked to have seen some more benefits added to the credit cards, particularly the DL Plat Amex. No paid club access option restored. Not a huge deal, as I will probably choose a Club Membership as a DM choice benefit. And the MQD earnings on both the cards is still pretty low, but the "head start" perk is a nice addition. As well as the enhancement of the Million Miler Program and new PM/DM choice benefits.

Overall I feel like I can work with these changes. They will allow me to be free agent when needed (price, schedule) but also allow me to maintain loyalty/status/perks to Delta when I fly them (which still fits my travel needs in terms of usual destinations).

I'd say this is a win!

No - I am somewhat surprised as well. However, at 10:1 spending and with lower earnings thresholds, I do think that Reserve spending in particular will be more attractive to more people (including me).

Confirmed on the website. For status earned in 2024...

Wow. So you can outright buy silver for $800 (and get two BOGO's and 15 SC visits in the process).

If that holds, I can definitely hit PM on an annual basis, which I think would have been a stretch for me in the pre-covid era.

Isn't the difference that with AA you don't have to use their booking portal for Hyatt and Marriott (and thus could access hotel status and use corporate travel agents and booking sites) and with Delta you had to use their portal, waiving all the goodies?

I wonder...if I extend my Diamond status for another year, will I get Choice Benefits without "earning" them...details,details....

For Hyatt, yes, there is reciprocal earnings with AA. But AA also has a "BookAAHotels.com" site where you earn AA miles with the portal. AA also has more stuff like shopping portals. Delta remains a flight and credit card focused system instead of a "partner" system

I completely agree.