Feb 21, 2024, 3:38 am
Last edit by: DenverBrian
MQM Conversion Key Points (Ended 12/31/2024)
FAQS
Do I get Choice Benefits if elect extension?
YES. However if you extend DM, you only get the DM CBs, unless you also earn PM naturally. (Either from MQDs or because of 2MM status)
Note DL has decided to make us wait for CB till Feb 1, if elect extensions. If get due to MQD selection then you get 2025 CB right away.
I made my selections, but now want to change them. What can I do?
Once selected, all choices are FINAL. There is no changing them. If you are unsure how you wish to apply selections, you need wait till you are, but you must select on or before Dec 31, 2024.
It is Jan 1, 2025, I didn't make a selection, what can I do?
Nothing. If you don't select on or before Dec 31, 2024 all rollover will automatically convert into MQDs.
If I elect MQDs, but don't need them, can I change my election?
No. Once selected, all choices are final.
I elected MQDs, but don't need them, will they rollover to next year?
No. There is no MQD rollover. They are simply lost/wasted MQDs.
I am a Diamond and selecting extension for one or more years. Is there any reason to select anything other than zero percent for MQDs?
No/Yes As MQDs do not rollover, if you are Diamond and are electing status extension, there is no benefit to selecting the MQDs option unless you won't earn PM otherwise and want the PM CBs. You need to be careful if doing this, as any MQDs above PM will be wasted MQDs, as MQDs do not rollover. Also if you end up under PM MQD, any MQDs selected would be wasted. (As reaching GM MQD confers no additional benefits)
- Once selected your choices were FINAL.
- You had until Dec 31 2024 to make selections.
- If you did NOT make selections by Dec 31 2024, then all rollover converted to MQDs.
- You could extend 2024 earned status (what you earned flying in 2023) for 100k per year. There is no limit to number of years this can be done. (There was a FT report of agent saying 5 years, and at least one blog briefly stated this. However as examples below show, there is definitely no limit)
- If you elected status extensions, but will earn status this year by earning the MQDs required, you will not get an extra year of status.
- There is no way to skip a year when extending status. You cannot simply tell DL to start extension with 2026 status instead of 2025. i.e. you know you will earn required MQDs this year for 2025 status. You cannot tell DL to simply skip extension for the 2025 status year.
- You can convert rollover into MQDs at rate of 10 MQMs to $1 MQDs.
- You can convert rollover in miles at rate of 2 MQMs to 1 mile.
- You can select multiple options. MQD option can be done using 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of available MQMs.
- Any remaining MQMs after deducting for extensions and MQDs, get converted to miles.
- If you have MQMs remaining to post, any additional will be converted in MQDs/miles with MQDsusing the percentage you selected.i.e. if you have 1000 MQMs post a month after select conversion to MQDs using the 50% option, 500 of the 1000 MQMs will be converted into MQDs and 500 of the 1000 MQMs into miles.
FAQS
Do I get Choice Benefits if elect extension?
YES. However if you extend DM, you only get the DM CBs, unless you also earn PM naturally. (Either from MQDs or because of 2MM status)
Note DL has decided to make us wait for CB till Feb 1, if elect extensions. If get due to MQD selection then you get 2025 CB right away.
I made my selections, but now want to change them. What can I do?
Once selected, all choices are FINAL. There is no changing them. If you are unsure how you wish to apply selections, you need wait till you are, but you must select on or before Dec 31, 2024.
It is Jan 1, 2025, I didn't make a selection, what can I do?
Nothing. If you don't select on or before Dec 31, 2024 all rollover will automatically convert into MQDs.
If I elect MQDs, but don't need them, can I change my election?
No. Once selected, all choices are final.
I elected MQDs, but don't need them, will they rollover to next year?
No. There is no MQD rollover. They are simply lost/wasted MQDs.
I am a Diamond and selecting extension for one or more years. Is there any reason to select anything other than zero percent for MQDs?
No/Yes As MQDs do not rollover, if you are Diamond and are electing status extension, there is no benefit to selecting the MQDs option unless you won't earn PM otherwise and want the PM CBs. You need to be careful if doing this, as any MQDs above PM will be wasted MQDs, as MQDs do not rollover. Also if you end up under PM MQD, any MQDs selected would be wasted. (As reaching GM MQD confers no additional benefits)
MQM Conversion: ENDED 12/31/2024
Mar 7, 2024 | 1:23 pm
#331
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 6,494
Wonder what happens to earned status if I extend for two-three years? Would I still need to spend 28K or they would they deduct the 15k from that since I already have Platinum? Would any earned status count towards the years after my extend status? SO far in 2024 I have Platinum status and 8K MQD and I have 400K mile to convert. Debating to either convert to enough MQD for Diamond in 2025 and the rest in miles OR extend one year and get diamond for 2025 and get miles. or just extend platinum for 3-4 years. (Really wish I made diamond in 2024 hahah)
Mar 7, 2024 | 2:18 pm
#332
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: IND
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (DM), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium, LTP)
Posts: 1,204
Wonder what happens to earned status if I extend for two-three years? Would I still need to spend 28K or they would they deduct the 15k from that since I already have Platinum? Would any earned status count towards the years after my extend status? SO far in 2024 I have Platinum status and 8K MQD and I have 400K mile to convert. Debating to either convert to enough MQD for Diamond in 2025 and the rest in miles OR extend one year and get diamond for 2025 and get miles. or just extend platinum for 3-4 years. (Really wish I made diamond in 2024 hahah)
(Side note: you won't have anything "deducted" if you extend status, because there's nothing to deduct. MQDs don't roll over. You "pay" for your status extension by spending 100K rollover MQMs per year to convert to status extension.)
You may be best off to wait until you see what your 2024 MQD (for 2025 status) will be, and then convert only enough rollover MQM to MQD to hit the $28K threshold for DM, and then convert the rest of your rollover MQM to RDM. (Note: conversions have to be in increments of 25%: 100% MQD, 75%/25% MQD/RDM, 50%/50% MQD/RDM, 25%/75% MQD/RDM, or 100% RDM.)
Mar 7, 2024 | 2:42 pm
#333
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Timing of MQM conversion
Thanks to those who gave me opinions about my conversion. I have a couple of questions related to timing now. I am PM and have a little over 225k MQMs. I could convert 75% and get PM status now and then earn DM with a few more months of spending on my reserve card or I could convert all of my MQMs to MQDs and get DM now. Either way, once I get DM I will switch all our family spending to my wife's Reserve card and she should get PM status later this year (we always fly together so it seems the real benefit will be her getting 4 regional upgrades).
My understanding is that once I hit DM status (either immediately or after getting it with some more credit card spending following a partial conversion) that I will get CB through that process. Am I correct?
I have never been DM in the past. If I convert just enough MQMs to get to PM now, will I be able to choose my PM CB now and then get to choose my DM as well when I get that status? If that is the case, it would seem that would be better than just converting all my MQMs and getting DM now. We do not have a flight coming up until I would get the DM status in that scenario.
My understanding is that once I hit DM status (either immediately or after getting it with some more credit card spending following a partial conversion) that I will get CB through that process. Am I correct?
I have never been DM in the past. If I convert just enough MQMs to get to PM now, will I be able to choose my PM CB now and then get to choose my DM as well when I get that status? If that is the case, it would seem that would be better than just converting all my MQMs and getting DM now. We do not have a flight coming up until I would get the DM status in that scenario.
Mar 7, 2024 | 4:34 pm
#334
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 5,116
Thanks to those who gave me opinions about my conversion. I have a couple of questions related to timing now. I am PM and have a little over 225k MQMs. I could convert 75% and get PM status now and then earn DM with a few more months of spending on my reserve card or I could convert all of my MQMs to MQDs and get DM now. Either way, once I get DM I will switch all our family spending to my wife's Reserve card and she should get PM status later this year (we always fly together so it seems the real benefit will be her getting 4 regional upgrades).
My understanding is that once I hit DM status (either immediately or after getting it with some more credit card spending following a partial conversion) that I will get CB through that process. Am I correct?
I have never been DM in the past. If I convert just enough MQMs to get to PM now, will I be able to choose my PM CB now and then get to choose my DM as well when I get that status? If that is the case, it would seem that would be better than just converting all my MQMs and getting DM now. We do not have a flight coming up until I would get the DM status in that scenario.
My understanding is that once I hit DM status (either immediately or after getting it with some more credit card spending following a partial conversion) that I will get CB through that process. Am I correct?
I have never been DM in the past. If I convert just enough MQMs to get to PM now, will I be able to choose my PM CB now and then get to choose my DM as well when I get that status? If that is the case, it would seem that would be better than just converting all my MQMs and getting DM now. We do not have a flight coming up until I would get the DM status in that scenario.
Mar 7, 2024 | 7:42 pm
#335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,983
Yes, you would get both immediately. But if you don't really need the status and DM CBs right away and you think you can still hit DM before you need them with a 75% MQM conversion, it makes more sense to go that route. I'm on the fence about doing a 75% vs. 100% conversion. I'll be about 5K MQD short of DM if I do the 75%. I could probably make that up by the end of the year, but then I'd be missing DM for most of the year. I tried to apply for a DL Amex Plat card for the additional 2.5K MQD Headstart (already have a DL Reserve), but got rejected and noticed T&Cs now say you may be declined for a DL Amex Plat card if you already have a Reserve (but apparently getting a Reserve if you already have a Plat card is okay).
Mar 7, 2024 | 8:29 pm
#336
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 3M DM, Southwest A List
Posts: 1,535
I tried to apply for a DL Amex Plat card for the additional 2.5K MQD Headstart (already have a DL Reserve), but got rejected and noticed T&Cs now say you may be declined for a DL Amex Plat card if you already have a Reserve (but apparently getting a Reserve if you already have a Plat card is okay).
Also, I believe that you may have better luck when applying for a Delta AmEx Business Platinum card if you are eligible.
Mar 8, 2024 | 7:20 am
#337
Flyertalk Evangelist, Moderator: United Airlines MileagePlus
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, UA Nostalgist, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 16,145
Instead of putting spend on the Reserve, you could be putting it on a 2-2.625% cash card which is a fairly comparable opportunity cost to the miles you miss from converting.
Mar 8, 2024 | 7:28 am
#338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,983
I know from my own experience that the 2,500 MQD headstart does not apply to new Reserve/Platinum cards issued after headstarts were added to people's accounts (I believe that was Feb 1). However, the new cards will get a 2,500 MQD headstart next year.
Also, I believe that you may have better luck when applying for a Delta AmEx Business Platinum card if you are eligible.
Also, I believe that you may have better luck when applying for a Delta AmEx Business Platinum card if you are eligible.
"MQDs will be deposited within 6 to 8 weeks after an Eligible Card Account is opened, and thereafter every subsequent year within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 while the Eligible Card Account is open; however, if a New Eligible Card Account is opened during November or December of a Qualification Year, MQDs will be applied to the Qualification Year in which the Card is opened."
Mar 8, 2024 | 8:00 am
#339
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: IND
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (DM), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium, LTP)
Posts: 1,204
That's not what the T&Cs say about new cards (says you should see Headstart within 6 to 8 weeks after opening). Thought about the Plat Biz card, but I think I'll just do 100% MQM conversion and not bother with any more DL Amex spend for rest of year.
"MQDs will be deposited within 6 to 8 weeks after an Eligible Card Account is opened, and thereafter every subsequent year within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 while the Eligible Card Account is open; however, if a New Eligible Card Account is opened during November or December of a Qualification Year, MQDs will be applied to the Qualification Year in which the Card is opened."
"MQDs will be deposited within 6 to 8 weeks after an Eligible Card Account is opened, and thereafter every subsequent year within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 while the Eligible Card Account is open; however, if a New Eligible Card Account is opened during November or December of a Qualification Year, MQDs will be applied to the Qualification Year in which the Card is opened."
Mar 8, 2024 | 8:18 am
#340
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,598
Mar 8, 2024 | 9:59 am
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,983
Mar 8, 2024 | 10:51 am
#342
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 3M DM, Southwest A List
Posts: 1,535
That's not what the T&Cs say about new cards (says you should see Headstart within 6 to 8 weeks after opening). "MQDs will be deposited within 6 to 8 weeks after an Eligible Card Account is opened, and thereafter every subsequent year within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 while the Eligible Card Account is open; however, if a New Eligible Card Account is opened during November or December of a Qualification Year, MQDs will be applied to the Qualification Year in which the Card is opened."
Mar 9, 2024 | 8:58 pm
#343
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 765
DL spokesperson statement today directly contradicts what DL spokesperson said prior:
Today (March 5, 2024):
"When converting Rollover MQMs into MQDs, the MQDs are treated like all other earned MQDs. This status is earned status," a Delta spokesperson said. "This is different from converting 100,000 MQMs into a year of complimentary status extension, as this is complimentary status. Complimentary 2025 status would not take effect until Feb. 1, 2025."
Earlier (January 3, 2024):
Q: People can extend their 2024 Medallion status by one year for each 100,000 rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) in their account next year. For example, someone with Diamond status for 2024 and 500,000 rollover MQM has the option to extend their status for five (5) years. Will they receive Choice Benefits for each of those five years?
A: Yes. This is considered earned status.
So, which DL spokesperson is lying? One says status extension is earned status, and the other one says status extension is complimentary status.
Today (March 5, 2024):
"When converting Rollover MQMs into MQDs, the MQDs are treated like all other earned MQDs. This status is earned status," a Delta spokesperson said. "This is different from converting 100,000 MQMs into a year of complimentary status extension, as this is complimentary status. Complimentary 2025 status would not take effect until Feb. 1, 2025."
Earlier (January 3, 2024):
Q: People can extend their 2024 Medallion status by one year for each 100,000 rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) in their account next year. For example, someone with Diamond status for 2024 and 500,000 rollover MQM has the option to extend their status for five (5) years. Will they receive Choice Benefits for each of those five years?
A: Yes. This is considered earned status.
So, which DL spokesperson is lying? One says status extension is earned status, and the other one says status extension is complimentary status.
FWIW, I still havent seen the PM CBs for 2025 (as a 2MM)
Mar 9, 2024 | 9:02 pm
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,983
Mar 9, 2024 | 9:42 pm
#345
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Salt Lake City
Programs: Delta DM and 2 MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 619
So, after reading through this thread. and not having grabbed the 2MM 2025 Plat benefits on 2/1 before they disappeared, I still wonder: as a 2MM who extends Diamond status, will I also get the Platinum CB in Feb of 2025 from my 2MM status, or just my Diamond CB? This makes a difference as I am on the cusp of earning Platinum the hard MQD way for this year.....