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Here’s a bittersweet moment. This is officially the last time we’ll write these words:
Rollover Delta Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) are posting to Delta SkyMiles Medallion accounts.(We were originally told this would occur sometime around February 28. So, this is a rather pleasant surprise.)
This means you have until December 31, 2024, to convert them into Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) and/or redeemable SkyMiles. (I wrote several weeks ago why I plan to wait a while to make my selection.) Plus, people with at least 100,000 MQM can extend their 2024 status by one year for each 100,000 MQM. FlyerTalk’s “Frenchy73” reports being able to extend their status for nine years!)
Here’s how to do that, using the Fly Delta app and a couple of different reader accounts as our example.
We weren’t told that there wouldn’t be “tiers” of 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25% MQD conversions. But, that’s the way they’re now structured.
Do you see your rollover MQM posting? Did you convert them yet? How soon did it take for the changes to hit your account? Please share in the below Comments section!
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What happens if the status expansion option is used and you earn enough MQD’s to make status that year? For example Diamond. Does it roll forward or do you loose it? What if you keep Diamond status for the next few years, will the status option tack on to the end? Basically when ever Diamond status is not achieved with MQD’s?
We’re waiting for an answer from Delta.
It seems like even if you make Diamond through spending, and choose to extend status, the extended status will run concurrently with the status earned by status. So I think the feedback to Delta ought to be to make it so that if you select the status extension in a given year, but qualify anyway, then the 100,000 MQM will automatically be converted to 50K miles that year, until you run of out MQM. For example for me I have 400K MQM. Let’s say I select the status extension for 4 years. Each year that I qualify for Diamond through spending during those 4 years, I ought to get 50K miles. I know it doesn’t work that way at the moment and it’s really frustrating to have to guess now what my spending is going to be like over the next 4 years and risk throwing away up to 200K miles by choosing status that I end up earning anyway.
Delta told me today that:
If you were to choose the extension now it would be for 2025 and then if you earned it the extension would be wasted. If you wait and earn DM status for 2025 on your own and then go in and make the selection the extension will apply to 2026.
Didn’t fly much in 2023 so I’m only gold for the 2024 year but have enough rollover MQM’s to get $27K MQDs (+ with January flying it will push me above the diamond MQD threshold). Do I get choice benefits (both plat and diamond) with these MQM converted MQD’s pushing me to diamond?
We were told you will.
Does the same apply to using status extension if you are already Diamond and elect to use the rollover MQM to extend by 1 year per 100K MQM? The reason I’m asking is because they didn’t give choice benefits when they extended Diamond status during COVID unless you earned the status. I know this is different in that you are technically paying for the status whereas with COVID they were giving it away.
We’re waiting on a response from Delta.
But does the new status take effect for the remainder of this year or when the 2025 year starts
As far as we know, it should take effect as soon as (or shortly thereafter) you cross the MQD threshold.
Then it might be worth exchanging now to reach Diamond to get 23 months of Diamond. Thanks for the assist
I took the 2-year DM extension and the balance in RDMs. When will I be able to select my DM CBs?
Are the changes effective on your SkyMiles account? If so, did you check the Choice Benefits page?
Yes they became effective within 15 minutes along with my selected RDMs. CBs still only show 2024.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes a few days (at least). Remember that we were told MQM wouldn’t roll over until about February 28.
Converted for 5 more years of DM + 5k RDM.
Nice!
If I extend PM for 1 year about don’t make it to DM with MQD in 2024, those MQD essentially are worthless, am I right? I’m trying to figure out if I should take the surplus MQM over 100k and covert to miles or MQD. I won’t make it to DM so I think those MQDs are not helping with anything correct?
This is why I’m waiting until the end of the year to decide what to do.
I’m not going to make my choice until the end of the year. If I make Diamond through spending this year, then it’s not worth wasting 100K MQM to get status I already have, unless I think that for the following 3 years I’m not going to spend enough.
Maybe I’ll put my spending on a different card for the rest of this year and the next 3 years, like my Marriott Visa. Then I won’t have to deal with merchants that say they don’t take Amex when they really do but don’t want to accept it. It would be nice if Marriott allowed you to earn Ambassador status with credit card spending the same way as you can earn Diamond through credit card spending.
The biggest letdown of this whole thing is the fact that I (and probably more than a few of you) loved the whole “MQM strategy game”. Flight to Phoenix? Maybe I can go EWR-CVG-ATL-PHX. Quick trip to Memphis? How about EWR-DTW-BNA. This past December I even went LGA to Cleveland via MSP. Way out of the way? Sure! But, banked a lot of extra MQM’s in the process and hung out in a lot of Sky Clubs talking to a lot of nice (most of them) people.
Now, I realize it’s not on Delta to supply me with a fun hobby. But, it sure was kinda cool while it lasted!
Delta also does not want you flying 8 segments for the same price. They want to handle you and your baggage as little as possible for as much $$ as possible.
That seems fair. Why should someone fly 8 times for the same price as one flight, which also uses inventory that others could use?
I know I have played @TravelWarr’s game, especially towards the end of the year when I was close to a status level.
Sometimes one or more of the segments on those indirect routings were competing with a low-cost carrier, making it cheaper than the nonstop flight. When you are chasing status with MQMs, you would get an additional boost as well. The MQD-only scheme plugs that loophole – at least for chasing status. One may still find indirect routings at a lower cost, but it will be fewer MQDs and a slower reach for status.
For people wanting to reach a Million Miler tier for the lifetime status, taking mileage runs might be worth it. Purely subjective, tho.
Thanks for this info, will mqms converted to miles count towards your million miler total?
@El destructo – LOL no. If they did I think a lot of folks would choose that option. I got my SkyPennies from my 74k left over MQMs in a few days.
Sadly, no.
Hi Chris,
I did my conversion and extended for a year. The 2025 CB benefits did not show up, so reached out. The delta agent said that Delta will be waiting a “little bit” for the extension CB’s to show — maybe summer — so as to not confuse 2024 CB.
On a different note, I have lifetime platinum now (2+ million miler) and the 2025 CB for platinum DID show up.
Thank you so much for the data points, RTD!
Chris/Rene can you please find out from your DL contacts when 2025 DM CBs will be available to those who extended their DM status yesterday. The reason I did it so early was to get my spouse and kid GM asap for some upcoming trips. Thank you.
A reader said that a Delta agent told them “Delta will be waiting a ‘little bit’ for the extension CB’s to show — maybe summer — so as to not confuse 2024 CB.”
Apologies if already asked, I just rolled over $22,000 and hit Diamond for 2025… I was Platinum before that for 2024… since I now have Diamond in 2025, shouldn’t my 2024 Status ALSO become Diamond as well?
No. The period for earning 2024 status ended on December 31, 2023. You should have Diamond now if you hit $28,000 MQD.
Ok, Thanks Chris… that’s also what I thought but my app says 2025 Diamond and 2024 Platinum… I hope it updates tomorrow?
Chris- this was going to be my question as well, but, I apologize, I’m a little confused by the answer. You answer No on his question of having Diamond status for remainder of 2024, but then say you should have Diamond now if you hit $28k MQD. By now do you mean for rest of CY 2024(since he has hit Diamond of 2025) and the 2025 medallion qualification year. Or by now did you mean you have it for 2025, but not the remainder of CY 2024.
If I understand his question, the reader should have Diamond now and through 2025 — assuming they crossed $28,000.
Keep in mind, everyone, that we’re dealing with Delta IT, who doesn’t exactly have a glowing track record.
Thanks for the clarification and agree. I called the Platinum line and they said my Diamond status would not start until 2/1/2025…but app updated last night and I’m Diamond now. Was also able to select my CBs for Platinum and Diamond 2025 statuses. Did the RUC for Platinum and then Selected GUC cert for one of my Diamond CBs and kept the other two for later. Most likely will do 2 of the $2000 MQD option. But want to wait and see what they move the goalposts to for 2026.
If I earned DM for 2024 and have over 100k MQM and do the extension, will I also get the CB of PM and as well DM or just CB for DM if Delta decides to give CB as RTD stated.
You should get the PM CBs as well (as far as we know).
As it stands right now, until Ed changes the deal, I’m lifetime Diamond and 360, so I’m thinking I can take the miles and run right now and not wait until the end of the year. I’m I thinking right on this?
If you’re lifetime Diamond and 360, I would!
Lost my Silver for part of 2024 buy upon choosing “convert my MQM’s, nothing happened…
If we use 300K MQMs to extend a couple of years DM, there seems to be no point of converting excess MQMs into MQDs, correct?
Not that I can tell. They’ll probably make big changes to the program again by then anyway…
Not showing in my app yet. DM last year, PM this year.
I extended my DM status for 6 years converting my 650K MQMs yesterday morning. Remaining MQMs were converted into 25K miles. DM status for 2025 was updated last night but don’t see any sign of choice benefits yet.
I plan on extending my DM for four years. I’m wondering if I would do better to drop my two Amex Delta Reserve cards and one Delta Platinum for bank cards with transferable points. Any suggestions?
Holding a Delta Reserve card is the fourth priority when it comes to upgrades (after Status, Cabin Purchased, and Million Miler Status). May or may not be worth it for you.
Hi Chris
thanks so much for all your helpful information!
I dropped down to platinum last year for a number of reasons but have hit MM status so will at least be “guaranteed” annual gold (as long as this perk doesn’t get “enhanced”)
any thoughts on the philosophical dilemma of using my MQMs to either qualify for diamond for 2025 vs 2 years of platinum extension?!
if the GUCs were not such a headache it would be an easier decision!!
Part of me says go for the two years of Platinum — because I think we’ve already seen where Delta plans to take the program, MQD threshold-wise.
But Diamond is Diamond, I know.
Fellow Medallions: what do you think?
This Q has been asked, but there doesn’t seem to be a CONFIRMATION from Delta on the answer. I am PM for 2024. I may convert enough MQM to MQD to reach $28,000 MQD, and thus be DM for 2025. If I make that MQM-to-MQD conversion on Feb 23, 2024, has Delta confirmed I will be DM for not only the 2025 year, but also from Feb 23, 2024 until January 31, 2025? Thanks in advance!
Up until now it’s always been that when you reach the qualifying threshold you get the status almost right away (maybe with a day or two of delay) so I can’t imagine why it would be that way in your situation.
“… maybe with a day or two of delay”
This.
I meant “why it would not be this way”
I was agreeing with your helpful input.
Thanks
Thanks guys, I thought it would be the case but wanted to be sure. But having seen that CBs won’t show up for what may be several months, I may hold off a bit. Part of the reason for wanting to reach DM asap was for using a GUC on a 4/4 SYD-LAX flight.
I was platinum for 2024. Converted MQM to MQDs to reach Diamond. 2025 status updated immediately and was able to select 2025 CB same day. 2024 status updated to Diamond overnight.
Great to hear, thank you TravelingRogers!
If I start 2024 platinum and hit diamond in 2024 through spend would I be extending platinum or diamond status? Haven’t seen a clear answer on this.
You’d extend Platinum. Right now, you’re earning toward 2025 status.
Hi Chris,
I have 565,000 mqm rollovers and 1,723,000 MM miles. Are there ways to reach 2MM other than flying?
Thanks
Rand
Hi, Rand. Nope. It’s all actual flying now.