Delta Announcing Changes to Status Qualification
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:40 pm
#121
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: DL DM/MM, AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 65
"Let them eat cake..." as the adage went. Perhaps loyalty does matter to them (or at least they want us to feel that it does). I won't hold my breath there, since, as easy as they can give, they can take back (and they will!)
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:41 pm
#122
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,269
Of course. As published today, 2 MMers get complimentary PM status annually. I understand they could change the rules/benefits. Hell, they could even go bust. It is what it is.
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:41 pm
#123
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 1,118
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:45 pm
#126
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Programs: Delta Gold, United Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,060
It is a nearly $0 expense item. It incentivizes continuing spend from someone who might have become a "ho" (I did mean "free agent, no?) - all other things being equal, such as "I could fly on UA or AA or their partners as a plebeian at the same cost of getting some STE benefits." As a UA MM that rarely flies UA or *A anymore, having *G in the back pocket is a nice thing to have, and occasionally drives revenue to UA, at essentially no cost to UA. Maybe I occasionally get a Y+ seat, or a visit to a lounge. When I don't fly UA or an *A partner, it costs UA nothing.
So, if DL has a bunch of MMers that don't fly DL or ST, it costs DL essentially nothing. If they fly DL or ST occasionally, it may cost just a little bit, far offset by the revenue received. Given the current state of affairs, it may cost DL an occasional Y+ seat, an even rarer F upgrade (both no cost items - those seats will be given away for free to someone), and occasionally, an extra free bag.
So, if DL has a bunch of MMers that don't fly DL or ST, it costs DL essentially nothing. If they fly DL or ST occasionally, it may cost just a little bit, far offset by the revenue received. Given the current state of affairs, it may cost DL an occasional Y+ seat, an even rarer F upgrade (both no cost items - those seats will be given away for free to someone), and occasionally, an extra free bag.
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:50 pm
#129
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: DL 3MM/DM, AA 3MM/PLT, UA 1K
Posts: 322
I agree with your analysis. For frequent users of SkyClub, it's better to buy a membership and earn 2%+ on a cash back card.
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:51 pm
#130
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, NJ, Long Island
Programs: DL DM, 1.6MM, UA Silver, NEXUS, SkyClub & AdmiralsClub Lifetime, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 6,652
I'm pretty happy with the changes.
I'll roll over 625+K MQM, so with the 125K deduction for 2024 I'll be able to extend my already earned DM for 5 years.
I'll be at 1.55 MM and I was going to forget 2 MM, but with 6 years of DM (2024 - 2029) I should be able to get to 2MM with no problem
Starting in 2024 I can move some of my spending to MrsSG's Reserve and $45K of spend gets her earned GM with the $2,500 kick start.
My Lifetime Sky Club takes care of unlimited Club admission. and her Reserve and Vanilla Plat take care of hers when she's travelling alone.
The only potential downside is continuing heavy loads in TATL J which will keep our non-rev travel to midweek options.
I'll roll over 625+K MQM, so with the 125K deduction for 2024 I'll be able to extend my already earned DM for 5 years.
I'll be at 1.55 MM and I was going to forget 2 MM, but with 6 years of DM (2024 - 2029) I should be able to get to 2MM with no problem
Starting in 2024 I can move some of my spending to MrsSG's Reserve and $45K of spend gets her earned GM with the $2,500 kick start.
My Lifetime Sky Club takes care of unlimited Club admission. and her Reserve and Vanilla Plat take care of hers when she's travelling alone.
The only potential downside is continuing heavy loads in TATL J which will keep our non-rev travel to midweek options.
Oct 18, 2023 | 4:56 pm
#132
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Programs: Delta Gold, United Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,060
I think people fell in love with the labels of each medallion tier. If they didn't roll this back, Silver and Gold would have become like today's Platinum and Diamond.
Oct 18, 2023 | 5:01 pm
#133
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,917
I am a many year DM and a 3 MM. If I understood the press release correctly, the 3MM status keeps me a DM regardless of what flying or spending that I do. This is truly rewarding decades of my loyalty to Delta that saw me do plenty of crazy "out of my way" routings over the years like BOS-ATL-EDI before EDI was served from BOS or JFK.
I have just received highest status on B6 through the end of 2024. The Delta clawback on their recent changes was not a minor tweak. It appears to be quite substantial.
I have just received highest status on B6 through the end of 2024. The Delta clawback on their recent changes was not a minor tweak. It appears to be quite substantial.
Oct 18, 2023 | 5:04 pm
#134
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
Programs: DA Diamond(2 MM), Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador/Charter Ambassador, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 965
I am so incredibly thrilled. I was minted as a 2MM a few weeks ago. I'm 36, so lifetime Platinum has some perks!
I'm going qualify for 2024 diamond and on top of that, I'll rollover more than 700,000 MQMs. So, that means a 7 year extension of my DM status. I am *very* happy!
I'm going qualify for 2024 diamond and on top of that, I'll rollover more than 700,000 MQMs. So, that means a 7 year extension of my DM status. I am *very* happy!
Oct 18, 2023 | 5:05 pm
#135
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 2
Here's my question though on 1MM getting "Annual Complimentary Gold status." I've got 1MM and used to hit Platinum yearly so now I wonder if I only need to spend $5000 more MQD to go from Gold to Platinum which needs $15,000 MQD's. With the Boost and Accelerator, this might be attainable but nowhere does it say exactly how much more MQD's to jump up from a complimentary status to the next level. I've already got the Delta Reserve Amex but still not happy with the 15 "visit days" per year. I'll never spend $75K on that card for unlimited Sky Club visits! Argh...