Delta Announcing Changes to Status Qualification
Oct 28, 2023 | 3:33 pm
#586
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 765
Oct 28, 2023 | 3:38 pm
#587
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,687
I'm personally not 100% convinced of this from that one blog.
I would think Delta would have chosen a different outlet to make this clear if we were definitely getting the CBs.
That blog and some vague DMs are all we've seen from Delta about this. Bloggers who are pretty rigorous with their sourcing haven't weighed in yet (Dans Deals, One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy and even View From the Wing who might not be quite as rigorous). Frequent Miler merely pointed to Eye of the Flyer as attribution when they said we'd get CBs.
I hope it's true but I had decided to go for Diamond before this blog assured us that we'd get CBs. I'm certainly prepared to find out that this information is incorrect.
I would think Delta would have chosen a different outlet to make this clear if we were definitely getting the CBs.
That blog and some vague DMs are all we've seen from Delta about this. Bloggers who are pretty rigorous with their sourcing haven't weighed in yet (Dans Deals, One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy and even View From the Wing who might not be quite as rigorous). Frequent Miler merely pointed to Eye of the Flyer as attribution when they said we'd get CBs.
I hope it's true but I had decided to go for Diamond before this blog assured us that we'd get CBs. I'm certainly prepared to find out that this information is incorrect.
Oct 28, 2023 | 3:55 pm
#588
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 7
Delta really needs to just come out and publicly say the 100K MQM application constitutes earned status. I’m not leaving that to chance based on one blog that hasn’t been corroborated by others nor do I trust what customer service says unless it’s on the website given how many contradictory answers I get in other situations
Last edited by Sixth_Sense; Oct 28, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Oct 28, 2023 | 4:06 pm
#589
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 765
I'm personally not 100% convinced of this from that one blog.
I would think Delta would have chosen a different outlet to make this clear if we were definitely getting the CBs.
That blog and some vague DMs are all we've seen from Delta about this. Bloggers who are pretty rigorous with their sourcing haven't weighed in yet (Dans Deals, One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy and even View From the Wing who might not be quite as rigorous). Frequent Miler merely pointed to Eye of the Flyer as attribution when they said we'd get CBs.
I hope it's true but I had decided to go for Diamond before this blog assured us that we'd get CBs. I'm certainly prepared to find out that this information is incorrect.
I would think Delta would have chosen a different outlet to make this clear if we were definitely getting the CBs.
That blog and some vague DMs are all we've seen from Delta about this. Bloggers who are pretty rigorous with their sourcing haven't weighed in yet (Dans Deals, One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy and even View From the Wing who might not be quite as rigorous). Frequent Miler merely pointed to Eye of the Flyer as attribution when they said we'd get CBs.
I hope it's true but I had decided to go for Diamond before this blog assured us that we'd get CBs. I'm certainly prepared to find out that this information is incorrect.
That said, unlike the "COVID time extensions" which were practically free, here, one has to spend MQMs to get a status extension. In a way, this is DL/Amex rewarding loyalty (yeah, I know it does not mean much). In sum, I hope bennies are included, but I am not holding my breath.
Oct 29, 2023 | 8:30 pm
#590
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Titanium, "Lifetime" DL DM (subject to DL CEO whims)
Posts: 12,801
Some friends just bought a $200K Mercedes camper van that has about everything other than a hot tub.
It's tempting. It would be nice to thumb my nose at the airline, hotel, and rental car industries for (most of) my vacation travel.
Damned ingrates.
Oct 29, 2023 | 8:31 pm
#591
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 129
It looks like Delta will be rolling back some of the qualification changes after "We received valuable feedback from our SkyMiles Members about changes to our SkyMiles Program".
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...0_BTN_79335541
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...0_BTN_79335541
Delta who?
Oct 29, 2023 | 9:38 pm
#592
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: DL 5MM; 360; AA EXP
Posts: 1,501
I'm approaching 73 and considering full retirement (semi-retired now).
Some friends just bought a $200K Mercedes camper van that has about everything other than a hot tub.
It's tempting. It would be nice to thumb my nose at the airline, hotel, and rental car industries for (most of) my vacation travel.
Damned ingrates.
Some friends just bought a $200K Mercedes camper van that has about everything other than a hot tub.
It's tempting. It would be nice to thumb my nose at the airline, hotel, and rental car industries for (most of) my vacation travel.
Damned ingrates.
)?
Oct 30, 2023 | 10:28 pm
#593
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kanasas City
Programs: DL DM, 2 MM; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 434
Choice Benefits Clarification
FAQs have been updated clarifying choice benefits related questions we all had for the 'annual complimentary' medallion status from converting MQMs.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...rogram-updates
Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will be given their respective Choice Benefits for that Status tier only. For example, if a Diamond Medallion Member chooses to extend their Status they would only receive Diamond Choice Benefits. If you choose to extend your Status and you earn the same Status for the next Medallion Year, there would be an overlap where your extended Status will run concurrently with your earned Medallion Status.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...rogram-updates
Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will be given their respective Choice Benefits for that Status tier only. For example, if a Diamond Medallion Member chooses to extend their Status they would only receive Diamond Choice Benefits. If you choose to extend your Status and you earn the same Status for the next Medallion Year, there would be an overlap where your extended Status will run concurrently with your earned Medallion Status.
- For example, if you earned Platinum Medallion Status during the 2024 Medallion Year and for the 2025 Medallion Year but selected a 4-year Status extension using 400,000 Rollover MQMs during the 2024 selection window, then your Status extension for the 2025 Medallion Year would run concurrent with your earned 2025 Platinum Medallion Status.
- For overlapping years, you will not receive a second selection of Choice Benefits or be higher within the Medallion Upgrade Hierarchy. However, if your earned Medallion Status tier differs from your extended Status tier, then your highest Medallion tier would take priority when qualifying for Complimentary Upgrades.
Oct 30, 2023 | 11:02 pm
#594
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: AF/KL FB Platinum, DL Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,170
I had to get an international ticket reissued today due to a schedule change. Got transferred to a great agent from the Global Support desk. We made small talk and I asked him about some of the questions about extension. He pulled up their internal documentation and also confirmed that CB will be offered just for extended status level.
The thing he added that I have not seen here (unless I missed it) was that the status extension offer can only be rolled over for a MAX of 5 years (at a cost of 500k MQM).
The thing he added that I have not seen here (unless I missed it) was that the status extension offer can only be rolled over for a MAX of 5 years (at a cost of 500k MQM).
Oct 31, 2023 | 12:09 am
#595
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: DSM
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP
Posts: 105
FAQs have been updated clarifying choice benefits related questions we all had for the 'annual complimentary' medallion status from converting MQMs.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...rogram-updates
Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will be given their respective Choice Benefits for that Status tier only. For example, if a Diamond Medallion Member chooses to extend their Status they would only receive Diamond Choice Benefits. If you choose to extend your Status and you earn the same Status for the next Medallion Year, there would be an overlap where your extended Status will run concurrently with your earned Medallion Status.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...rogram-updates
Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members will be given their respective Choice Benefits for that Status tier only. For example, if a Diamond Medallion Member chooses to extend their Status they would only receive Diamond Choice Benefits. If you choose to extend your Status and you earn the same Status for the next Medallion Year, there would be an overlap where your extended Status will run concurrently with your earned Medallion Status.
- For example, if you earned Platinum Medallion Status during the 2024 Medallion Year and for the 2025 Medallion Year but selected a 4-year Status extension using 400,000 Rollover MQMs during the 2024 selection window, then your Status extension for the 2025 Medallion Year would run concurrent with your earned 2025 Platinum Medallion Status.
- For overlapping years, you will not receive a second selection of Choice Benefits or be higher within the Medallion Upgrade Hierarchy. However, if your earned Medallion Status tier differs from your extended Status tier, then your highest Medallion tier would take priority when qualifying for Complimentary Upgrades.
Ex: Ending 2023 as earned DM with ~340k MQM. Early in 2024, I will have 125k will be deducted for 2024 DM qualification, leaving 215k excess MQM. Ill have a good shot at qualifying for 2025 DM with little or no help from the MQM:MQD conversion. Would I be able to organically earn DM for 2025 Medallion year and extend (with 200k rollover) for two additional years? Or does the extension automatically start in the 2025 medallion year?
Oct 31, 2023 | 3:38 am
#596
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,105
My next question would be if we have the option to convert some portion of our rollover MQM to MQD for 2025 qualification and then extend for 2026? Or does the extension automatically start in 2025?
Ex: Ending 2023 as earned DM with ~340k MQM. Early in 2024, I will have 125k will be deducted for 2024 DM qualification, leaving 215k excess MQM. Ill have a good shot at qualifying for 2025 DM with little or no help from the MQM:MQD conversion. Would I be able to organically earn DM for 2025 Medallion year and extend (with 200k rollover) for two additional years? Or does the extension automatically start in the 2025 medallion year?
Ex: Ending 2023 as earned DM with ~340k MQM. Early in 2024, I will have 125k will be deducted for 2024 DM qualification, leaving 215k excess MQM. Ill have a good shot at qualifying for 2025 DM with little or no help from the MQM:MQD conversion. Would I be able to organically earn DM for 2025 Medallion year and extend (with 200k rollover) for two additional years? Or does the extension automatically start in the 2025 medallion year?
Oct 31, 2023 | 4:50 am
#597
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 494
Any extension will apply in consecutive years starting in 2025. If you earn that same status (or higher) organically in 2025 you will have basically wasted 100k MQMs for that year, and same for any other year you extend but then earn organically. You can't pick and choose which years to extend. Extension makes most sense for people who know they won't hit new MQD targets for Diamond, and aren't willing to get in the Delta Amex card environment. If you have multiple years of extensions, but think you will hit 2025 organically, it may still make sense to extend because Delta is on record saying they want to push the MQD qualifications even higher.
Oct 31, 2023 | 5:33 am
#598
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
There will be. Delta has now made it almost impossible for overseas Medallion members to qualify for Diamond status. With no boost from credit card spends, it not likely many will be able to make the MQD threshold.
I know dozens of Diamond Medallions based here in India & in the Netherlands (we have 5 in our office). We were chatting the other day & generally all agree that Diamond is out of reach for all of us. Since taxes & fee are not included in the 28K spend, we would be looking at spending $35K-$38K a year just on international Delta flights to hit the MQD mark. That's just not happening.
I know dozens of Diamond Medallions based here in India & in the Netherlands (we have 5 in our office). We were chatting the other day & generally all agree that Diamond is out of reach for all of us. Since taxes & fee are not included in the 28K spend, we would be looking at spending $35K-$38K a year just on international Delta flights to hit the MQD mark. That's just not happening.
I already have top status with Air India which also gives me Gold with Star Alliance. With a number of new planes already inducted in their fleet & dozens more expected over the next few months, I'm leaning towards using them for my US trips going forward. I also have the option to fly EK or EY, with both offering a much better product than DL.
Oct 31, 2023 | 5:39 am
#599
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 765
This is how Im also approaching - Ill hit 2025 DM organically (BIS & DL Reserve spend).
But, given that it is almost sure that DL will raise the DM MQD threshold higher in the coming years, Im leaning towards DM status extension till 2027 or 2028.
Oct 31, 2023 | 5:46 am
#600
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,687
I had to get an international ticket reissued today due to a schedule change. Got transferred to a great agent from the Global Support desk. We made small talk and I asked him about some of the questions about extension. He pulled up their internal documentation and also confirmed that CB will be offered just for extended status level.
The thing he added that I have not seen here (unless I missed it) was that the status extension offer can only be rolled over for a MAX of 5 years (at a cost of 500k MQM).
The thing he added that I have not seen here (unless I missed it) was that the status extension offer can only be rolled over for a MAX of 5 years (at a cost of 500k MQM).
I wish they would make this clear in the FAQ. Maybe next revision. Until then, do I take it at face value? There's always some nuance that isn't covered in these terms.