Since Delta announced the extension of 2020 Medallion status through 2021, we’ve had several questions about status tier levels, rollover MQM, rollover MQD, and Choice Benefits.
We asked Delta about them; a corporate communications rep kindly gave us answers.
Here we go!
Rollover MQM
I asked, “Will all MQM rollover in full to 2021? In other words, if a Medallion has 80,000 MQM on December 31, would all 80,000 MQM rollover to 2021? Or would, say, only 5,000 roll over, above and beyond Platinum Medallion status?”
The Delta spokesperson responded, “Yes – all MQMs that a member has at the end of 2020 will roll over to 2021 (rather than just the MQMs above your earned Medallion Tier). These MQMs will be counted toward earning 2022 Medallion Status. For example, if you have 40,000 MQMs in your account on December 31, 2020, all 40,000 will be rolled over and counted toward earning 2022 Medallion Status. This includes MQMs from travel and any Status Boosts from your Delta SkyMiles American Express Platinum or Reserve Card – all MQMs in the account at the end of 2020.”
I have a feeling we’ll see a lot more Platinum and Diamond Medallions in 2022 — if not sometime next year.
Which Status Level Carries Over to Next Year?
Let’s say you’re Platinum for the 2020 Medallion Year.
But on December 31, you’ve achieved Gold Medallion qualifications for 2021. Are you stuck with a lower tier? Which status rolls over?
Don’t worry.
“Medallion (members’) current status in 2020 will be extended so they can enjoy it in the 2021 [Medallion Year]. So the Platinum you mention would be a Platinum next year.”
This is a smart move on Delta’s part.
First, it keeps Medallions happy.
Secondly, it gives people some incentive to load up on MQM — all of which, according to Delta, roll over to 2021.
So when it’s safer to fly, maybe you can take advantage of some great fares and score a bunch of MQM. Plus, this gives people more motivation to spend on MQM-earning Delta American Express cards such as the personal and business Delta Reserve cards, and personal and business Delta Platinum cards.
Will MQD Roll Over?
MQD haven’t rolled over before. Don’t plan on that changing, even during this unique situation.
“MQDs weren’t a part of last week’s announcement,” she said, “but [we] will keep you posted if we have any news there.”
Choice Benefits
I asked if Platinum and Diamond Medallions will receive Choice Benefits for the next Medallion year if their status is extended.
“Absolutely,” she said. “Platinum and Diamond Medallions will receive Choice Benefits for the 2021 Medallion Year.”
Expect to hear more about Choice Benefits later in the year.
Final Approach
I said it before, and I’ll say it again: Delta did very well with this status extension.
Was it a public relations move designed to appease customers? Well, yeah! Call me naive, but bad public relations isn’t a good business tactic — especially now.
— Chris
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Did the announcement mention GUCs and RUCs that we got as part of this year’s Choice Benefits? Will the expiration dates on some of those be extended? I think I read somewhere that some of them will be, but I don’t remember exactly.
I’m definitely planning on trying to load up on MQMs as soon as it is safe to fly again!
@Brian Fisher: In Delta’s announcement, they wrote, “Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, are extended – now, they can be booked and flown by Dec. 31, 2020. And, SkyMiles Members with Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers that expire after June 30, 2020, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.”
While Delta didn’t specifically address Choice Benefits, I think you’re safe based on that verbiage.
@Chris – as of today, my RUCs expiring 1/16/2021 are still showing the same expiration – no extension yet. But a companion certificate expiring March of 2021 did get extended to September 2021. Hopefully the RUC/GUCs will be treated similarly…
@skdelta: Thanks for the data point!
As a Diamond for the last 5 years a 1 M miller I am truly impressed with Delta with there announcement. I’ve already book 2 overseas flights this year and have over 100K miles this year so it looks like I’ll be well on my way to secure Diamond in 2023 as well. I will remain loyal to Delta.
For DMs like me who qualify based on flying 140 segments every year rather than MQMs we get cheated as segments never roll over, segments flown can never be achieved or reduced with any AMEX , and during this pandemic I won’t get any head start for reaching my 2021 DM status. So basically all of my 2020 flown segments (and MQDs) will be wasted.
This announcement definitely is not going to encourage some people (like you, and me) to travel in 2020. I think they should roll over MQS and MQD. Actually I think they should get rid of MQD completely (since it only applies to US residents).
If you gifted someone gold status that was set to expire in January of 2021 will it be continued for an extra year?
@Jim: Good question — I’ll try to find out. I guess if worse comes to worst, you can use one of your Choice Benefit to re-gift that person GM.
Thanks Chris…..I am guessing the way its written it aught to be good for the next year but I would love to confirm.
Hi Chris, I’m wondering if you know the answer to this. If I have a Reserve companion certificate and cancel the card, is my certificate still eligible for the extension? Thanks.
@Gaurav: It should.
Mr. Schmitt if MQD don’t also roll over, you & I are still going to have to make that requirement. I’ve got 191k MQM & +$15k MQD right now, so we are (apparently) in the same boat.
Regarding the MQM rollover, will this apply if you have less than 25,000 MQMs at the end of 2020? In years past, the MQMs would be lost (not rolled over). This will be of interest to those normally earning Silver or Gold status but are unable to do so due to the shutdown. Thanks
@ScottA: If you currently have Medallion status, they should roll over. If not, I’d assume they won’t roll over.
Delta’s website says the following. Sounds like all MQMs roll over even without status.
“All SkyMiles Members will be able to rollover all MQMs that they have at the end of 2020 into 2021. These MQMs will be counted toward earning 2022 Medallion Status. This includes MQMs from travel and any Status Boosts from your Delta SkyMiles American Express Platinum or Reserve Card, and any MQMs you rolled over from 2019 to 2020 – all MQMs in the account at the end of 2020. For example, if you rolled over 20,000 MQMs from 2019 to 2020 and earned an additional 20,000 MQMs in 2020, your final balance on December 31, 2020 would be 40,000 MQMs, and all 40,000 will be rolled over and counted toward earning 2022 Medallion Status. If you have 5,000 MQMs in your account on December 31, 2020, all 5,000 will be rolled over and counted toward earning 2022 Medallion Status.
@Kurt: Thanks, Kurt!
Any updates as to if Diamond MQD waiver will remain at $250k or will that be reduced fo 2020?
@Stosh: No updates yet that I’ve seen.
Chris,
Do you know if there has been any talk within Delta about LOWERING the required MQDs for this year?
@Erik: If there was, nothing’s been announced. René and I don’t work for Delta (despite what some people like to think… 😉 ) so we’re not privy to that information. But if we hear something, we’ll post it. Thanks for the comment!
I’m a platinum. So does it make sense to keep using the Reserve card to reach all the thresholds this year? Will all those MQM’s roll over and we can start in 2021 to accumulate the maximum again? Thanks for all your help. Stay safe.
@Debbie: You’ll be Platinum through January 2022. If you hit spend thresholds on your Reserve card and receive MQM this year, those will roll over to next year. In essence, you can pad your MQM during 2020.
The only reason I’d use my Reserve card is stock up on MQM or if I’m close to a higher status tier. (Side note: I really wish Delta and Amex gave the Reserve card better bonus categories — restaurants, supermarkets, etc — because I’m not going out of my way to spend on the card.)
If you’re close to Diamond (125,000 MQM) and can knock out the $250,000 spend it might be worth it. Or you might be able to take a partner mileage run later in the year to hit the MQD requirement.
I hope that helps! Take care!
Chris
So if we can earn 60k mqms this year 2020 and 60k mqms in 2021 does that mean that those 120k mqms will roll over into 2022? Thanks
@Deb: If I understand the question correctly: in this example, your 60k MQM earned in 2021 would roll over to next year. If you earn Medallion status next year (for the 2022 year), whatever remaining MQM would roll over to 2022.
So if you have 10,000 MQM right now (for math sake), earn 60k and finish the year with 70k, you’d begin 2021 with 70k. If you earn another 60k in 2021 (for a total of 130k) but don’t hit the MQD requirement or waiver for Diamond but do for Platinum, you’d roll over 55,000 MQM to 2022. (130k MQM – 75k MQM = 55k MQM)
Great article Chris. Just want to make sure I have this right. I am currently platinum. I plan to spend the $250K and accrue 125K MQMs before 12/31/2020. I think that means I will be Diamond for 2021 and all 125K MQMs will rollover to next year. But I would still need to spend $250K in 2021 for my rolled over MQMs to earn me Diamond again for 2022. Is that your take? Assuming my understanding is correct, then if I continue to spend $250K and earn 125K MQMs each year, i will always be sitting on an extra 125K MQMs that get rolled over each year.
@Bob: Thanks for the nice note. As I understand your question you will have a bank of (at least) 125,000 MQM rolling over each year, provided you maintain status.
I guess that brings up a question for me on hitting Diamond. You either have to have $250K in total spend OR 15,000 in MQDs, right?
@Erik: Correct — but in addition to 125,00 MQM or 140 MQS.
Is it still strategic to wait until the last minute of the year to pick your current year RUCs? Or just pick them now since they will rollover? Thanks.
@Jane: I’d wait as long as possible, or maybe late in the year.
I am platinum earned in 2019 for 2020. If I earn 80 MQMs during 2020 through AMEX spend, all 80K roll over to 2021 rather than 5K (80K-75K) for reaching the platinum level again in 2020?
@Jordon: According to Delta, yes.
Thanks Chris for the article. The MQDs are a big gap. I was already at 110k MQMs and 10.4k MQDs before COVID. The MQDs are the more difficult requirement to achieve.
Any word on what DL is going to do with SkyBonus? Is there going to be an extension for that program similar to SkyMiles?
@Nola: Haven’t heard anything yet. I’m curious about that, as well. Maybe they’re waiting to see what the business travel landscape looks like in a few months?