What is Delta's justification for the 75K RDM cap?
May 21, 2019, 2:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
What is Delta's justification for the 75K RDM cap?
I know this has been discussed aplenty here, but I can't seem to locate a specific thread dedicated to this topic with my White Belt in Google-Fu...
I estimate we've "lost" over 100K RDMs EACH (myself and Spousal Unit-1) in the last 12-18 months specifically due to this absurd, seemingly arbitrary RDM cap on flights. It certainly feels like a penalty against DMs for buying high-dollar fares. If a DM spends $11K on a J fare, why on earth are they spanked to the tune of 50K RDMs for the privilege?
I know, I know -- I have "options" and this is a "First-World problem", blah, blah, blah. But I've been generally ecstatic with DL these last 6 months (after enduring a spate of issue during the last half of 2018).
I'd just like to know the rationale behind this, and if there's a legitimate issue at play that I'm not aware of.
I estimate we've "lost" over 100K RDMs EACH (myself and Spousal Unit-1) in the last 12-18 months specifically due to this absurd, seemingly arbitrary RDM cap on flights. It certainly feels like a penalty against DMs for buying high-dollar fares. If a DM spends $11K on a J fare, why on earth are they spanked to the tune of 50K RDMs for the privilege?
I know, I know -- I have "options" and this is a "First-World problem", blah, blah, blah. But I've been generally ecstatic with DL these last 6 months (after enduring a spate of issue during the last half of 2018).
I'd just like to know the rationale behind this, and if there's a legitimate issue at play that I'm not aware of.
Last edited by TheHorta; May 21, 2019 at 2:52 pm
May 21, 2019, 2:52 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,059
I suspect because at the time they went revenue-based earn, everyone else was pretty much still mileage-based and it would be difficult to earn more than 75K in a trip in most other programs at the time and thus they did not see going over 75K as a significant competitive advantage. Circumference of earth = 25K miles + 25K class of service bonus + 25K elite bonus = 75K miles.
May 21, 2019, 2:57 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
I suspect because at the time they went revenue-based earn, everyone else was pretty much still mileage-based and it would be difficult to earn more than 75K in a trip in most other programs at the time and thus they did not see going over 75K as a significant competitive advantage. Circumference of earth = 25K miles + 25K class of service bonus + 25K elite bonus = 75K miles.
Anyway, we'd sure like those 200K RDMs rather than feel like we had to give those to DL in addition to our hard-earned Benjamins to fly up front in their pretty Sky Tubes.
May 21, 2019, 3:06 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,059
Yes, the real big cheese probably don't pay much attention to it (if they even collect miles at all). They probably assumed most of the cheaper fare flyers who care are on Z fares where it tends to be more difficult to hit the cap.
Last edited by xliioper; May 21, 2019 at 3:42 pm
May 21, 2019, 3:13 pm
#5
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,931
I suspect because at the time they went revenue-based earn, everyone else was pretty much still mileage-based and it would be difficult to earn more than 75K in a trip in most other programs at the time and thus they did not see going over 75K as a significant competitive advantage. Circumference of earth = 25K miles + 25K class of service bonus + 25K elite bonus = 75K miles.
May 21, 2019, 3:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
May 21, 2019, 4:29 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,352
I know this has been discussed aplenty here, but I can't seem to locate a specific thread dedicated to this topic with my White Belt in Google-Fu...
I estimate we've "lost" over 100K RDMs EACH (myself and Spousal Unit-1) in the last 12-18 months specifically due to this absurd, seemingly arbitrary RDM cap on flights. It certainly feels like a penalty against DMs for buying high-dollar fares. If a DM spends $11K on a J fare, why on earth are they spanked to the tune of 50K RDMs for the privilege?
I know, I know -- I have "options" and this is a "First-World problem", blah, blah, blah. But I've been generally ecstatic with DL these last 6 months (after enduring a spate of issue during the last half of 2018).
I'd just like to know the rationale behind this, and if there's a legitimate issue at play that I'm not aware of.
I estimate we've "lost" over 100K RDMs EACH (myself and Spousal Unit-1) in the last 12-18 months specifically due to this absurd, seemingly arbitrary RDM cap on flights. It certainly feels like a penalty against DMs for buying high-dollar fares. If a DM spends $11K on a J fare, why on earth are they spanked to the tune of 50K RDMs for the privilege?
I know, I know -- I have "options" and this is a "First-World problem", blah, blah, blah. But I've been generally ecstatic with DL these last 6 months (after enduring a spate of issue during the last half of 2018).
I'd just like to know the rationale behind this, and if there's a legitimate issue at play that I'm not aware of.
For an $11K J fare, would the ticket have fared out the same at two one-ways at $5500 a piece that then would have allowed you to come in under the 75K RDM cap?
May 21, 2019, 4:31 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
I also think that once fares approach the limit, they assume you aren’t really being motivated by SkyMiles earning - if you’re paying usurious rates, it’s probably a trip you have no choice but to take where there’s no logical alternative on a different airline, probably booked with someone else’s money to boot.
May 21, 2019, 4:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
Assuming there isn't a RT-requirement for the fare and depending on destination, might there also be a 1 way-specific return-fare YQ (e.g. CSG-USAex EU) to add to it?
May 21, 2019, 5:18 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,949
I think it's this. If you purchase tickets that expensive and have that status to get the multiple, they probably assume you're going to fly Delta anyway, and since you aren't buying these fares all the time, they probably figure the limit, applied sporadically, will not factor into your decision to move all your business to another airline.
If you're buying these tickets all the time, they probably figure it's business travel and you're either required to use Delta, or you aren't really paying attention to RDMs. I'd be pretty surprised if there are this many people who pay these fares personally and on a consistent basis, but still opt to fly commercial.
The 75k may or may not be an arbitrary number, but a limit itself is not crazy.
If you're buying these tickets all the time, they probably figure it's business travel and you're either required to use Delta, or you aren't really paying attention to RDMs. I'd be pretty surprised if there are this many people who pay these fares personally and on a consistent basis, but still opt to fly commercial.
The 75k may or may not be an arbitrary number, but a limit itself is not crazy.
May 21, 2019, 6:54 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
At the end yes, it's about cost. But I would be surprised if "lost" RDM miles account for more than 1% of annual miles awarded each year so from that perspective it's not going to have much of a balance sheet impact.
May 21, 2019, 8:27 pm
#14
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: DL Diamond/MM, Hyatt Diamond, former AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,940
I think it's this. If you purchase tickets that expensive and have that status to get the multiple, they probably assume you're going to fly Delta anyway, and since you aren't buying these fares all the time, they probably figure the limit, applied sporadically, will not factor into your decision to move all your business to another airline.
If you're buying these tickets all the time, they probably figure it's business travel and you're either required to use Delta, or you aren't really paying attention to RDMs. I'd be pretty surprised if there are this many people who pay these fares personally and on a consistent basis, but still opt to fly commercial.
The 75k may or may not be an arbitrary number, but a limit itself is not crazy.
If you're buying these tickets all the time, they probably figure it's business travel and you're either required to use Delta, or you aren't really paying attention to RDMs. I'd be pretty surprised if there are this many people who pay these fares personally and on a consistent basis, but still opt to fly commercial.
The 75k may or may not be an arbitrary number, but a limit itself is not crazy.
May 21, 2019, 8:36 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Interestingly, I have at times applied the opposite model. I have status with Delta (and fly enough that I will get status regardless).. and because of the cap, I have no incentive to fly Delta. I'd rather get the far more valuable 75K United miles on a $9000 ticket (Despite being only Gold) than the 75K SkyPesos on Delta. If the product is comparable (and often it's not.. half of Delta's J seats are 767 seats...) and I have to make a connection, I'm going to take the one that is worth ~$400 more to me. But I realize I'm probably an outlier here.