Delta Announcing Changes to Status Qualification
Oct 18, 2023, 2:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LAS
Programs: Hilton, Delta, Hyatt, MGM
Posts: 199
Delta Announcing Changes to Status Qualification
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
Oct 18, 2023, 2:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 72
I honestly think this is the best you could have hoped for. Credit card is still useless, but it brings DM back into reach for an actual "frequent" flyer.
Making Medallion Status More Accessible:
We will reduce the proposed number of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) needed to earn 2025 Medallion Status.
We will reduce the proposed number of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) needed to earn 2025 Medallion Status.
- Silver Medallion Status: from 6,000 to 5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion Status: from 12,000 to 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion Status: from 18,000 to 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion Status: from 35,000 to 28,000 MQDs
Greater Flexibility for Delta Sky Club Access:
We know how much you value the Delta Sky Club experience and will increase access for Members with a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. These changes will go into effect starting February 1, 2025.- Card Members will now receive 15 days per year (up from 10 visits); all visits made in a 24-hour period will count as one day.
- Card Members will also be able to purchase Club access for $50 per day after using all allotted days.
- Card Members can earn unlimited Delta Sky Club access after spending $75,000 on an eligible card in a calendar year.
- Medallion Members also have the option of purchasing an annual individual Delta Sky Club membership for $695.
More Options for MQM Rollover Balances:
We have heard from many Members who had long-term plans for their Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) Rollover balances. Customers with high balances will receive special multi-year options to extend their Status, including the ability to choose complimentary Medallion Status at your current tier for one year per every 100,000 MQMs.More Recognition and Rewards for Long-Term Loyalty:
We want our long-term loyalists to know how much you’re truly appreciated. Effective February 1, 2024, we are significantly upgrading annual Complimentary Status achievement levels for all Million Milers.- 6M+ from Diamond Medallion to Delta 360°™
- 5M from Platinum Medallion to Delta 360°™
- 4M from Platinum Medallion to Diamond Medallion
- 3M from Gold Medallion to Diamond Medallion
- 2M from Gold Medallion to Platinum Medallion
Oct 18, 2023, 2:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold (*G), DL Silver, Makers Mark Ambassador
Posts: 4,643
They must have been really losing customers as I'm surprised just how much they rolled back changes.
Sky Club access goes from visits to days of access and the numbers increased across the board. MQDs have also come way down
Sky Club access goes from visits to days of access and the numbers increased across the board. MQDs have also come way down
Oct 18, 2023, 2:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 62
These changes don't do much for me... I am going to fall between Platinum and Diamond and it's just too big of a gap between 15,000 MQD and 28,000 MQD. Without the GUCs, I personally don't see it being worth it to me. The million miler changes would be pretty significant for some 3M Gold->Diamond
Oct 18, 2023, 2:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Programs: DL Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 139
Way bigger rollback than I was expecting, tbh. 15 club access days (way better metric than individual visits) a year is a lot more workable than the previous 10 visits, that combined with the $2,500 boost just for holding the card (and the ability to cough up $50 for entry if I mis-calculate and then need club access for a long layover or if IROPS hits) makes the value still there for me.
I'll hit GM pretty easily with this scheme (and probably would with even a bit less Amex spend than I've done previously), which is probably the level I "should" have if it wasn't for all the covid rollovers, given my travel patterns (and the level I'd hit on UA/AA). Keeping PM is now still doable for heavier travel years or if I pushed a chunk more spend towards Amex (close enough now that it might be worth trying some creative stuff like attempting to put my mortgage on the card).
Guessing the internal backlash/card cancellations they saw were pretty extreme to prompt such a softening of requirements. It's not perfect, but this is still rewarding enough to keep me in the DL universe, albeit directing a few more glances towards AA/Oneworld than I might have in the past, given the much greater utility of AA miles for last-minute tix (which I buy a fair number of for pow chases
).
I'll hit GM pretty easily with this scheme (and probably would with even a bit less Amex spend than I've done previously), which is probably the level I "should" have if it wasn't for all the covid rollovers, given my travel patterns (and the level I'd hit on UA/AA). Keeping PM is now still doable for heavier travel years or if I pushed a chunk more spend towards Amex (close enough now that it might be worth trying some creative stuff like attempting to put my mortgage on the card).
Guessing the internal backlash/card cancellations they saw were pretty extreme to prompt such a softening of requirements. It's not perfect, but this is still rewarding enough to keep me in the DL universe, albeit directing a few more glances towards AA/Oneworld than I might have in the past, given the much greater utility of AA miles for last-minute tix (which I buy a fair number of for pow chases
).
Oct 18, 2023, 2:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 136
The $2,500 MQD per card isn't terrible, if you're going to use the companion certificate. Still not great for actually spending money on, though. Now if they bring out MQD signup bonuses like they used to have MQM signup bonuses... (pretty sure I've never had the personal plat?)
Oct 18, 2023, 2:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,190
With 400,000 rollover MQMs keeping DM for the next 4 years is a huge steal. I don’t need to spend or fly. I thought I would be converting them for 50,000 RDMs per 100,000 MQMs. What a change!
Last edited by sydneyracquelle; Oct 18, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Oct 18, 2023, 2:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
The devil here is in the details. I think the "choose complimentary Medallion Status at your current tier for one year per every 100,000 MQMs" is an exciting change, although it's unclear to me if that is the current (year 2023) status or the status we're earning currently for 2024. That would mean the difference between DM (me this year) and PM (me next year) which would be significant. Any clarifications?
Oct 18, 2023, 2:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CMH
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (Silver), AAdvantage, Sun Country, FmrUS Airways Dividend Miles, Northwest WorldPerks
Posts: 353
Way bigger rollback than I was expecting, tbh. 15 club access days (way better metric than individual visits) a year is a lot more workable than the previous 10 visits, that combined with the $2,500 boost just for holding the card (and the ability to cough up $50 for entry if I mis-calculate and then need club access for a long layover or if IROPS hits) makes the value still there for me.
I'll hit GM pretty easily with this scheme (and probably would with even a bit less Amex spend than I've done previously), which is probably the level I "should" have if it wasn't for all the covid rollovers, given my travel patterns (and the level I'd hit on UA/AA). Keeping PM is now still doable for heavier travel years or if I pushed a chunk more spend towards Amex (close enough now that it might be worth trying some creative stuff like attempting to put my mortgage on the card).
Guessing the internal backlash/card cancellations they saw were pretty extreme to prompt such a softening of requirements. It's not perfect, but this is still rewarding enough to keep me in the DL universe, albeit directing a few more glances towards AA/Oneworld than I might have in the past, given the much greater utility of AA miles for last-minute tix (which I buy a fair number of for pow chases ).
I'll hit GM pretty easily with this scheme (and probably would with even a bit less Amex spend than I've done previously), which is probably the level I "should" have if it wasn't for all the covid rollovers, given my travel patterns (and the level I'd hit on UA/AA). Keeping PM is now still doable for heavier travel years or if I pushed a chunk more spend towards Amex (close enough now that it might be worth trying some creative stuff like attempting to put my mortgage on the card).
Guessing the internal backlash/card cancellations they saw were pretty extreme to prompt such a softening of requirements. It's not perfect, but this is still rewarding enough to keep me in the DL universe, albeit directing a few more glances towards AA/Oneworld than I might have in the past, given the much greater utility of AA miles for last-minute tix (which I buy a fair number of for pow chases
).$1 MQD for each $20 spent is still comical, though.
Oct 18, 2023, 2:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: STL
Programs: DL DM; HH gold
Posts: 554
Honestly I'm floored by how much they walked things back, including the rollover for high-MQM accounts. MM program just got a huuuuge shot in the arm. It's actually worth something now (esp 2M+).
Oct 18, 2023, 2:33 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum ; Hilton Gold; Hertz 5*, Delta DM. Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 215
As someone with close to 500K MQMs just sitting there, it will be tempting to lock in the next 4-5 years as a diamond...but that assumes it it a match of 2023 status, I will fall to Platinum for 2024.
What are others with lots of MQMs thinking?
What are others with lots of MQMs thinking?
Oct 18, 2023, 2:35 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984