Delta was due to drop the “e” word on us. That word being “enhancements.”
And the airline did that early Thursday morning, saying, “Delta enhances benefits for SkyMiles Medallion members, updates select Medallion thresholds.”
The Atlanta-based carrier announced several changes to the SkyMiles loyalty program for the 2024 SkyMiles year. (Hint: it won’t be easier for most people to earn Medallion status.)
Some Choice Benefits were added and a couple were refreshed. Delta created a new way for members to spend SkyMiles. And they’re adding a major feature many of us have requested for years.
Please note that Delta Air Lines SkyMiles no longer awards Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS). Some of the offers in this post may be expired. This post remains published for reference and historical purposes. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Is It That Bad?!
When I saw the “Upcoming changes to our SkyMiles Program” email in my inbox this morning (which included bad links that took almost two hours to be fixed), I uttered a few words unprintable for this PG-rated blog.
But my worst fears didn’t come to pass. (I heard some reasonably ugly rumors during the past several days. Fortunately, these turned out to be nothing more than speculation. But the sources proved credible in the past. So, maybe that’s why I feel a bit relieved.)
Like most “enhancements,” there are some good, bad, and meh features.
Dwight James, Delta’s SVP of Customer Engagement and Loyalty and CEO of Delta Vacations, calls the moves “limited.”
I don’t know that I’d say they’re “limited” — for bad or good. A 33% hike to most Medallion status MQD requirements is significant.
The rest of the news is actually decent. There’s some nice stuff in there. And one of the new Choice Benefits truly made me laugh.
Overall, I think this is a loyalty test. (Yeah, I know. Really going out on a limb there.) Medallions who pass will be rewarded accordingly. The 2024 Choice Benefits don’t make me think a lot of people will say, “Yes, I’m fine with the MQD hike because these Choice Benefits are so awesome.” Nope.
Perhaps like you, we have several thoughts on the news. (And we’re curious to hear your take. When you’re done reading ours, please share yours in the below Comments section!)
So, let’s take a look at what’s changing!
Increased MQD Requirements
Three Medallion elite status levels will require higher Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) spending.
- Diamond Medallion currently requires $15,000 MQD. That jumps to $20,000 starting January 1, 2023. Ouch.
- Platinum Medallion currently requires $9,000 MQD. That jumps to $12,000 starting January 1, 2023.
- Gold Medallion currently requires $6,000 MQD. That jumps to $8,000 starting January 1, 2023.
- Silver Medallion is not affected.
Don’t worry: Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) and Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS) requirements are not affected. (I bet that’ll come sometime in the next year or two.)
I think these MQD jumps are a little extreme. Something like $17,500 for DM, $11,000 for PM, etc., would’ve been less shocking.
Will this “thin the Medallion herd”? Maybe, but probably not a mass exodus. I think a chunk of Diamonds are business travelers who fly on their employer’s (or clients’) dime — and easily surpass $20,000 every year.
If anything, I see Platinums and Golds maybe dropping down a level. $12,000 for Platinum is a little steep. $8,000 for Gold actually made me say “yikes” out loud. For gosh sake, that’s just a thousand dollars less than what it takes now to earn Platinum. I know the price of everything has skyrocketed lately. But goodness gracious.
Like some others, I find it interesting Delta chose now to put these changes into motion. They must be bullish about business travel. The Global Business Travel Association (via Skift) predicts business travel won’t return to 2019 levels until around 2025 or 2026.
The higher MQD requirements will, I believe, affect small business owners and employees who don’t travel as often as major corporation road warriors.
It’ll also hurt the recreational/leisure travelers who hold status simply from flying a lot. But, let’s face it: the airlines could care less about that segment of customers. Sure, those passengers contribute to the bottom line, but not nearly as much as deep-pocketed businesses who fly their employees on the regular.
I’ve heard from Diamonds who plan to drop down to Platinum. So, I won’t be surprised to see fewer Diamonds in 2024 — and more Platinums. Maybe?
Of course, there are ways to skirt those MQD requirements — and make them easier to achieve without actually ponying up that much money on Delta-marketed flights.
The $25,000 Delta Amex MQD waiver didn’t change (thank goodness), so that’s still in play for Platinum, Gold, and Silver status. Likewise, the $250,000 Delta Amex MQD waiver remains for Diamond Medallion status. Keep in mind, too, that certain award travel earns MQD, MQM, and MQS.
Remember, flights on certain Delta partner airlines can be very lucrative for earning Delta MQD. (Our friends at point.me can come in very handy in helping you book those trips if you want some help.) If someone else isn’t paying for your Delta flights and you really want Diamond (or even Platinum) Medallion status going forward, that’s how I recommend you do it.
Honestly, the MQD increase is the only bad news. But it does take the wind out of more than a few people’s sails. (Or, given the mode of transportation, perhaps it adds a lot of drag to the lift?)
Let’s check out the brighter side.
Additional and Refreshed Choice Benefits
Choice Benefits can be valuable perks for Diamond and Platinum Medallions. (If you remember to select and actually use them!) Delta is refreshing a couple of its Choice Benefits and adding a few others. These perks will be available starting February 1, 2023, for flyers earnings status for the 2024 Medallion year. In other words, you have earn or re-qualify for status after January 1, 2023, in order to receive these refreshed and additional benefits.
Spoiler Alert: there’s no change to the Upgrade Certificate one-cabin-higher “enhancement” we saw last year. (Although Delta is finally making it easier to redeem them. More on that later.)
Also, no Choice Benefits were eliminated.
But is this enough ointment to soothe the MQD wound?
TWO REFRESHED BENEFITS
A couple of Choice Benefits received upgrades.
Gifting Status
Diamonds may currently gift Gold Medallion status to a SkyMiles member of their choosing. That benefit increases to two members per selection.
Likewise, Platinums can gift Silver Medallion status to two members per selection, as opposed to the status quo of just one.
I confirmed with Delta that these benefits may be selected multiple times.
For example, Diamond Medallions may select up to three Choice Benefits. Each choice could be gifting Gold status to two people. So, one Diamond could make as many as six people Gold Medallions.
But that’s what I don’t get: if Delta is trying to make it harder to earn status, why is giving it away a breeze — especially Gold Medallion?
This could be great for business owners who want to reward their traveling employees. Or Medallions who want to help make some friends’ and family members’ travels a little more fun (and less costly, what with baggage fees) — especially if they travel internationally.
$250 Delta Travel Credit Voucher
Diamonds and Platinums currently may choose a $200 Delta Travel Credit Voucher. That increases to $250 for the 2024 Medallion Year.
Hey, I won’t argue with that.
NEW CHOICE BENEFITS
Delta whipped up four new Choice Benefits. Like the souped-up benefits above, these take effect in the 2024 Medallion Year.
Delta Amex Credit Card Statement
Diamond and Platinum Medallions with one of the premium co-branded Delta SkyMiles Amex cards can select a statement credit toward their card.
(We’re talking about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card; the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card; Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card; and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.)
Diamonds may select a $500 statement credit. Platinums can opt for a $200 statement credit. (Per Delta: terms and conditions apply and will be provided when the American Express Statement Credit becomes available. )
So, that’s a money maker/saver. Like most everything with Choice Benefits, the value is subjective.
The $500 may be worth it for some Diamonds. Personally, I think Platinums might be better off using the $250 travel voucher. You can earn MQD, MQM, MQS, and redeemable SkyMiles.
Delta Vacations Experience
Delta Vacations is something we don’t cover a lot on the blog. Perhaps we should? (I know people who absolutely love it.)
Anyway, Diamonds can select a $500 experience (flight and hotel). Platinums can select a $400 experience. I assume this means a credit of some sort toward an “experience.” (That’s sales-y and fancy for “trip.”)
I don’t know how this may be redeemed (promo code, etc.).
Interesting that Diamonds get $500 — and Platinums only $100 less. After all, remember that Diamonds can select a $500 Delta Amex statement credit while Platinums can choose only $200. Anyway, just food (or statement credits) for thought.
I guess they want more people jumping on the Delta Vacations bandwagon. But I don’t know I’ll burn a Choice Benefit trying it out.
MQD Boost
This might take out some of that “hiked MQD requirement sting.” Though I doubt it’ll make much difference for a lot of people.
Diamonds may select a $1,000 MQD boost towards the next Medallion year’s status. Platinums can choose a $500 boost.
That might be one of those Choice Benefits you want to select mid-late December. I wouldn’t jump on this one right away. It could be very helpful down the road — or completely meaningless depending on how far over or away you are from your MQD goal. If it were Delta Amex Waiver credit, that might be something different. (Hint, Delta loyalty execs! 🙂 )
Again, I think most of the Diamond ranks are comprised of people who rarely spend a dime of their own money when it comes to Delta airfare purchases. So, it might not make a huge difference to them. But for others? Maybe.
I truly think this is a creative benefit. I’m interested to see how beneficial it will be for people.
$250 Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution
That’s cute.
I actually laughed when I saw this new Choice Benefit. (Then again, there are two SUVs in my garage and my air conditioner is set to 72 as I write this.)
I’ll be shocked if more than 5% of Medallions select this.
I think people are better off purchasing carbon offsets from a non-profit (like this one I googled), taking the tax deduction, and earning some credit card spending in the process. (Disclaimer: I’m not a tax or financial professional. Though I’m friends with a few.)
#KeepClimbing: We Can Soon Apply Upgrade Certificates Ourselves!
Hallelujah!
Delta says that starting in early 2023, “Diamond and Platinum Medallions that select Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates as their Choice Benefit will be more in control of their travel with the ability to easily request to apply their upgrade certificates on delta.com themselves at check out.”
Yes. We’ll have the ability to add Upgrade Certificates ourselves. No more calling Delta and asking a rep to apply the Upgrade Certificate to our reservation. (That process sometimes takes upwards of an hour — only not to work. It’s happened to me; and I heard from others who experienced the same problem.)
Well done, Delta!
Redeem SkyMiles Points for Checked Bags
Starting this month, Delta SkyMiles members can redeem their points toward checked baggage fees on domestic flights. The feature takes effect next year for international flights.
That’s nice for non-Medallion members who don’t hold one of the six Delta SkyMiles Amex cards that give the primary cardholder and up to eight others on the same confirmation number the first checked bag for free (terms apply, of course).
Leisure travelers and/or free agents who have some SkyMiles to burn might like this option.
Final Approach
Delta was due to make some changes to the SkyMiles program. I think the 2024 Medallion Year updates are a big loyalty test. Those who pass will be rewarded with better and more Choice Benefits. (And fewer Medallions with whom they must compete for upgrades.)
The MQD requirement hike for Medallion status is a major bummer. That’s the huge news today — and will force people to make decisions about their Delta loyalty. (I know this for a fact. I’ve received plenty of emails today from readers.) Truth be told, I’ll reevaluate my status goals. One of my clients has gone from 100% onsite work to, like, 5% onsite work. Other airlines (and affiliated credit card programs) can get me where I need to go. I’ve been using them more often.
That said, the refreshed and improved Choice Benefits are welcome. There certainly are more options to burn quickly. Are they enough to offset the 33% MQD hikes? Beauty is in the eye of the flyer ( 😉 ). But I don’t see many people pursuing status just for the Choice Bennies. (The only exception might be for the increases in gifted status.)
Delta is finally allowing Upgrade Certificate holders to manually apply certs when purchasing flights at Delta.com. That’ll be a big time-saver.
What’s your take on the changes? Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section!
To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.
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Well, I just got my last month statement. It said I earned minus, (yep you read that right) -2194 MQD’s. I called Delta and they said that is not possible. But, yes, they deducted MQD’s from my account. I had planned a couple of mileage runs but there is no reason. We all know Delta’s computers are a mess, but minus… I definitely am planning a move, BTW, after two calls and emails, with copies of the statement, they have not replied (2 weeks now). They don’t know what they are doing; and they don’t care.
Wait, what?! I’d drop a line to the people on this page if you haven’t yet already. Please keep us posted about what happens!
With my wife we are both Diamond, and have been since the status was launched, but last year we decided the high cost and effort to maintain that status is not worth it anymore. We are based in PHX and Delta used to be a good bargain because it would be cheaper than AA but during Covid the DL fares became up to 50% higher than the AA fares and we cannot justify the spend for a Product that is not really better than AA. Some of the DL long haul products are in fact far inferior than AA, specifically those B763 that are not in a good shape and they are often used on European routes we use. And for all those efforts we ended up with a Diamond status that started to feel crowded and less rewarding. Upgrades became an exception, lounges were too crowded, and premium service did not feel as premium as before. So we jumped to AA and so far do not regret the move. Buying premium service is less expensive, service is better on routes we use and less effort is required to get top status. Delta was a good run and we do not regret the 2.3M miles flown with them but I think they value themselves way too high … but as long as people buy it … why not!
Ignoring the ability to buy a woke indulgence from Delta that actually just saves them money since I’m not choosing a more valuable and tangible choice benefit, Delta had to do something. I regularly have flights where 45-50% of the plane is on the combined first and comfort upgrade lists. That’s just crazy. As Delta used to say, when everyone is an elite, nobody is an elite.
I don’t think a diamond MQD threshold of $20,000 is unreasonable, although I would have preferred the MQM threshold to be raised to 150,000 miles. Ideally, they would have eliminated silver since it’s never been a real elite status and the benefits of silver are more or less the same as a credit card holder. Something simplified like 50,000 miles, 75,000 miles and 125,000 or 150,000 miles would make more sense. It would be nice if Delta would also confirm what it takes to receive 360 status. 360 is no longer a secret. It’s publicly announced but there are no defined benefits for it and what it takes to qualify is opaque.
To me, the real news here is that Delta considered adopting a revenue loyalty program that was strictly based on dollars spent. They decided to keep a traditional or semi-traditional program that still is mileage-based. A mile is a mile. I think that is awesome because the overall trend in the travel loyalty program business is away from actual miles and away from actual nights spent.
I was a 360 before the pandemic. Never knew the requirements to get it but used to spend close to $100k on Delta flights every year. Those days are gone thankfully. Since I am based on a Delta hub I never seen any extra benefit of being a 360 vs a Diamond.
Wow, that’s interesting!
Agreed, my wife was a 360 for a while and I am not sure she saw anything different from my Diamond status besides a cheap cap and headset 🙂
The MQD jumps are excessive! It’s true that the Status-Rollovers created lots of Diamonds and Platinums but with those expiring a normal drop would also be expected. $8000 MQD for GOLD is tough for the non-biz traveller. I’ve been Diamond for a few years and this might be an extra mileage run, which is fine, but that was a pretty stiff hike! Hoping enough complaints forces Delta’s hand even a little like with the SkyClub rules they tried to pass and then reversed.
“Hoping enough complaints forces Delta’s hand even a little like with the SkyClub rules they tried to pass and then reversed.”
I think you’ll have to complain with your wallet — both on Delta tickets and Amex.
A quick self-plug for Point.Me (formerly Juicy Miles.)
We’ve been anticipating this move for some time. The good news for readers is we can often save clients 60% or more on their net out-of-pocket MQD spend!
We accomplish this by crafting personalized Mileage Runs to leverage their fare dollars into supercharged Medallion qualifying earnings.
Maybe 2022 is the year to qualify now quickly -and let us help you start planning for 2023 qualifying now, as well?
Miles Jackson
point.me
I decided that Diamond was no longer worth it when the GUCs were devalued. I have enough MQMs banked to be to be PM for three years with a credit card waiver.
Next week I am going to Bulgaria on Turkish Airlines in business class. That might have been a SkyTeam trip if I was trying to be Diamond. I have flown Turkish Air business class once before, and I thought it was better than any SkyTeam business class offering that I have flown.
I don’t think globals were devalued anywhere near as much as the regionals. Yes, it’s harder to use globals. Yes, buying premium-economy to redeem a global sucks given the significant price difference between economy and premium-economy, but the regionals are completely worthless. I see domestic flights on Delta.com that say a confirmed upgrade into domestic first is available with a global but NOT a regional. How is that possible? That is just crazy.
Global certificates receive last seat availability in First Class, just like DPS, whereas Regional certificates go into a different/lower inventory class.
This is clearly a co-brand credit card play, as evidenced by the MQD waiver not changing, as well as the statement credits. DL knows there are people who will reason that spending $25k on a DL co-brand card is easier than attaining $12k MQD, especially in year 1 when you have the MQM status boosts as part of the signup bonus. And the statement credits just add a cherry on top (although, I do agree that the $250 voucher would be the more lucrative choice).
The MQD jump is steep. I’d love to see Delta offer a $5000 MQD waiver toward Diamond for those who hit their $25,000 card spend. At least give us something towards Diamond for the base card spend to take some of the sting out of this increase.
“Also, no Choice Benefits were eliminated.“
This is incorrect. As a Diamond last year I had Free Clear and as a Diamond I chose delta Skyclub with as many friends as I wanted to bring in. I don’t see these perks!!!
Where are you looking?
Also, I double-checked and my colleague Zach Griff reports “Beginning Feb. 1, 2023, Delta will roll out six new benefits to the selections without removing any of the existing choices.”
Just to clarify: CLEAR is not a Choice Benefit.
And the Delta Executive Sky Club membership rules state, “Includes unlimited Club access for the Member and up to two guests per visit (or your spouse/domestic partner and children under 21).”
I’m guessing you have more than two friends. 🙂 Or maybe you have an in with your local airport’s Sky Club’s staff, who knows.
Your right Clear is not a Choice Benefit now, but it certainly was many years in the past…
@Patti – Clear has never been a Choice Benefit selection. It was and still is offered free to Diamonds (see my last comment to you in other post with link).
Got it! Thanks. I assumed it was a choice benefit. I better study the chart that goes along with the benefits. Have a good day!
This year I’ll make Diamond. At $20,000 MQD it will be difficult to justify that much money for the cost of delta flights. I’ve been a loyal Diamond for several years and a platinum before that. I flew Delta even when it cost a bit more and they didn’t have a direct flights for my destinations. Other airlines had direct flights often at comparable cost or less expensive. This year I did a status match with another airline. I got sick and tired of not having direct flights and having to take a redeye flight home to Northern California. I found that my upgraded ratio was well above Delta’s AND my flight cost were 1/4 to 1/2 that of Delta. Best of all, NO red eye home from Hawaii…While I will maintain status with Delta at the platinum level in 2024( I have over 600,000 MQM’s) I’m not going to chase status with delta anymore. ( or spend past $30,000 on there cards) If another airline has a better price for equivalent product…. That airline will win my dollars and business. It feels good to be a free agent.. almost feels like a burden has been taken of my shoulders. Lol But, seriously, with my new found airlines loyalty program, I can reach more locations, with less stops using their partner airlines. I guess I’ll find out next year how it works out in 2024.
I 100% agree
Hi! New free agent here! I’m in Atlanta and never got upgraded as a silver. The benefit was the exit row and free bags. I have an upcoming flight to San Antonio for the F1 race and 2/3 of the plane is booked. Every F and C+ and preferred seat is full. The empty ones are in the back. I seriously have a row to myself in the back while the status-is-important look -at-me people are crammed in the front. Gotta thin the herd. It’s absurd.
I’ve been Diamond for about 7 years and paid personally for every dollar I spent on Delta. So for me, this is a big SCREW YOU from Delta, and as you said, they really don’t care about the traveler who pays his own way (doesn’t get reimbursed) – even if they always buy First or Delta One. Had these changes included a “rollover” for MQD (like they do for MQM) or 6 Global Upgrade Certs for Diamond Choice Benefit (instead of 4), I might be inclined to keep playing their game. But now, I am seriously looking at shopping around for the lowest Biz or First fare I can find on a reputable airline. The only thing I would miss in such a scenario is the special treatment I get on the Diamond line (most of the time). But I would be able to get to most of my favorite destinations for about $12,000 spend a year (again all First or Biz) – instead of $15,000 (to get Diamond). I was paying the extra premium of $3000 per person (there are two of us) to get to $15,000 (Diamond). I don’t think I’m going to stretch to get Diamond at $20K. If it’s dollars and sense for Delta, it’s also dollars and cents for me too.
Diamond Line is 2nd to First Class ticket holders now so event that perk has been devalued
@Patti – My wait time for my last many calls has been under 1 minute as a Diamond.
Hilariously, Diamond chat can be up to an hour or more — calling has been better lately, but it’s overall still a pretty bad customer experience. I’ve had to call FOUR times in the last month to get a ticket reissued due to a RUC/GUC. One of those calls was over 2 hours of hold _after_ I spoke with an agent. Some days I feel like I should be billing Delta for the hours I spend — I feel like I work for them!
No real advantage to remain loyal Delta flyer now. Have been for decades. I will now book my best deal. Are you listening Delta?
Most of this is irrelevant for Silver/Gold/Platinum as putting just over $2,000 per month on a DL Amex is not a heavy lift for most people. With MQM rollovers for the past 2 years due to covid many people are sitting on very high MQM balances. As such, many people can be Platinum for the next 2 – 4++ years with very little travel. As long as they continue to put $25,000 per year on a DL Amex.
So DL might successfully thin the Diamond ranks, but I expect to see a large surplus of Platinums for the foreseeable future.
This is a HUGE disappointment to a Delta loyalist, like me. I have been a Diamond for years. Mostly achieved through leisure trips, slim to none on the business trips especially after COVID. The new MQD requirement feels like a gut kick to those of us who have been so loyal for years. Over the years I could have selected cheaper flights or moved my loyalty to another program however, each time and trip I choose to stay with Delta, not anymore Delta. Truly disgusted, the new choice benefits do not come close to softening the blow.
I choose Delta for years, too bad Delta is not choosing me, I’ll be rethinking my airline of choice and looking at different programs.
I have been flying Delta since 1992, almost a 3MM miler and DM for the past several years. I am not a T&E business account and my primary route is FLL to NYC which I pay out of my own pocket. To reach DM this year I have been paying a mix of First and Main and buying the upgrades. A FC ticket for next week is $1,058 R/T and the FC experience is a 25 year old 737 with Song like TVs; the hard product sucks as does the inflight service. Clearly Delta does not give a damn about loyalty and if there strategy is to follw the business accounts – have at it. I’ll use my GUC in 2023 and look at other options for status match; either UA or AA. Thanks Ed & Keep Climbing
You forgot the food. While Delta restored first-class meals in the spring, the meals in domestic first are practically inedible. Most of the time my pre-selected meals are never catered.
So only slightly off topic….do I buy the Virgin Flight from VS’s website or on the Virgin flight on DL’s website? It earns more MQD’s on VS? Is that right. Sorry… a bit a newbie!
@Ward,
Using Virgin Atlantic, we just booked a client today to earn over $9,600 MQDs in a single Mileage Run! That’s saving them about $6,000 out of pocket from what it would cost if they booked the same Virgin Atlantic flights through Delta!
You can turn to us at Point.Me and we’ll do the heavy lifting for you. Since we partner with the largest travel agency in the USA, we make sure to cross the t’s and dot the i’s so our clients get the best leverage possible for their fare dollars!
(We especially love Eye of the Flyer readers!)
Hi, Ward! It depends on the cost, fare class, and distance flown. This post might help. But if you’re confused and anxious (which is 100% understandable — it took me a while to figure it out in the beginning), hit up Miles and his crew at point.me and let them do all the work. 🙂
I’ve been Platinum for years. My husband is a Million Miler. We travel internationally and use the SkyLounges. But no more. Delta has opened these lounges up to everyone and anyone. Last week, flying from London to Atlanta, the Virgin Lounge at LHR and the SkyLounge in ATL terminal F were (as they have been lately), filthy and overcrowded and hot! Unusable. We had to wait at Ecco because there was such a long line to just get in to the SkyLounge. This is in NO WAY a “perk”. Delta allows everyone and anyone in so any benefit is nullified. Delta has to change this or simply open them up to the entire airport. Disgusting and disappointing.
I’m a Diamond with about a 50/50 split between business travel and personal but moved to Chicago this year. I have tons of MQMs rolled over but only at about 5K MQD for the year with only a couple planned business trips the rest of the year. I was debating whether to pursue some MQD mileage runs but think the change to the MQD requirements moving forward made the decision for me. Way too hard to qualify for me anyways since I moved to a United hub, but man I hate the United flying experience.
I, for many am not reliant on my company helping me with any upgrades. As much as I educate myself on the changes and challenges that have inspired Delta( my preferred) airlines to improve or increase their medallion qualifications and benefits I won’t be deterred or upset about the direction that the program is going in. I think that the current medallion program has become severely diluted and needed to have an overhaul. Too many people have been enjoying the up grades and enhancements and it has de evaluated the program. I’m not changing carriers and realize that to continue to bring value to the high end consumer you must enhance and raise the requirements to be that person. I will continue to follow and be loyal to the brand as they have followed and been loyal to me through the years. They make the rules and it is up to me, if I want to continue to follow them. Yes it is a change but change is inevitable.
Great job Delta!! Time to make it more difficult for those who do not spend or fly to become Diamonds. As a real Diamond who spends a lot of money on Delta, I am tired of being #30 on the upgrade list because everyone is now. Diamond medallion member since Delta decided to rollover all MQMs. Enough!!!
I think it’s hilarious that self-service upgrade certificates are included in this announcement, like it’s some sort of victory that they can do basic IT improvements. I bet I’ll still have to call for ticket reissues when the certs apply.
Hi Miles, I will be $5K-$6K short on Diamond this year on Delta. I wanted to take a trip from LAX-SIN in Dec and on Delta site Business Class is $4872 R/T which will still be short. Can you assist if I joined ‘point.me’ by booking on a partner airline (ex.Korean Air or any other SkyTeam partner) to maximize my MQD rather than booking directly on Delta. Also, does this system work on domestic US travel?
@SB2-
Our strategic Mileage Runs won’t work on domestic trips because those (by law) are going to be on Delta, so there’s no way to leverage your fare dollars for higher Medallion earnings.
I certainly have had great success on international Mileage Runs for clients.
I’m sure you have noticed that even Eye of the Flyer has had limited Mileage Run examples for Southeast Asia; that’s an Achilles heel for SkyTeam right now. I do have some tricks in our magic hat, so I’m happy to help.
Feel free to submit a request using this link.
Not at all thrilled at the $20,000 for DM… We do not even get boarded with any respect as of last month and the new list!!!!What a joke the carbon offset benefit it??wonder if even 1 % would want to waste theirCB on that.. We also have 2 SUV’s in oru garage an AC is at 69-70!!!
Delta is a woke disgrace. I was a Diamond Charter member and hardly fly Delta unless there is no other choice. The service is inconsistent, the food is barely ok and Delta One is nothing special.
Medallion status has been devalued beyond belief and the Mileage for trips has skyrocketed. Sky Miles are worthless.
Hi there, I am a newbie with this stuff… but a friend who is a Diamond is encouraging me to do a mileage run to jump from silver to platinum since I am just 600 MQD to Gold, already met the MQM. But with this delta increase, I am afraid I will keep running all over the place yearly to meet some requirements. Please advise . My husband and I just travel on purpose 4 times yearly . 2 international and 2 domestic. Should I I get into this race or just leave it alone and save to continue to buy biz class as we have been on any airline on sale.
“But with this delta increase, I am afraid I will keep running all over the place yearly to meet some requirements… Should I get into this race or just leave it alone and save to continue to buy biz class as we have been on any airline on sale.”
I think you know your answer. 🙂 Platinum would get you Comfort+ seats on international and domestic flights soon after booking. You’d have the occasional shots at domestic upgrades to First Class. But if you’re already buying business-class seats, that doesn’t really matter.
Remember that Golds and higher get lounge access when flying SkyTeam member flights — regardless of cabin flown.
I am a lowly Silver, been for years., sometimes i get close to gold but just never make it. I guess from the bottom looking up I see the higher status people really taking it in the backside. Honestly why would anyone waste miles on checked bags when your staus gets you free checked bags? I fly delta out of pocket and sometimes my job would book me on delta so I make silver easily. I have flown AA and UA and not once have I not regreted it. AA is the worst airline to fly hands down and United almost there with them. When I sit in an airport restaurant hearing table talk of a current issue 90% of the time it is AA they are talking about. So as a silver I won’t jump ship because I still get free checked bags and most of the time on time departures/arrivals. One last thing, so many people now use clear and tsa pre-check that it is now faster to go through the no perks security screen line.
Good, good, good disloyalty changes. Been Medalian since the inception of the program, flew almost 2 million miles, many times paid more for flying with delta than i would have with another carrier, and truly i have been loyal to delta customer. The people that serve us at the airport are great, but delta as a business, stinks, they simply have 0 loyalty, and no appreciation to the customer, only lip appreciation, but they really don’t mean it, their actions say otherwise. Throughout the years delta management clearly demonstrated and in every significant change they made to their so called loyalty program,that their loyalty is to no one else but Delta. When it comes to us their customers that fly internationally, and can’t afford their ridiculous business fare, but stuck with them through their ups and downs and helped them to stay afloat, delta does not give a care. Delta could afford making necessary changes to the program by being more creative than by penalizing their “loyal customers” and being unfair.
I’m actively looking other options to switch to. I’m sorry if I sounded harsh.
Dear Chris: any chance you can write more succinctly? As a “paying my own way” non business traveling Delta Diamond Flyer, I feel that your blog must be relevant for me, but when you say the same thing over and over, it kind of makes me dread reading. Check out the AXIOS Smart Brevity concept. Best wishes for a happy New Year.
Dear Bill: any chance you can provide me some examples of what’s so dreadful? (And if you don’t like reading my posts, then don’t.)
Happy New Year.
Your initial writeup is wrong. Those 10,000 mile status boosts are GONE Jan 1st!
“For Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members: MQD Waiver and Status Boost will end on Dec. 31, 2023.
Given the streamlined changes to the Program and the introduction of the new MQD Boost benefit for select Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, both the MQD Waiver and Status Boost benefits will end on Dec. 31, 2023.”
Achieving Platinum & above status is history for all but millionaires.
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