Basic questions re: DL Medallion Status
Jul 1st, 2007, 05:34 AM
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Basic questions re: DL Medallion Status
Thanks to a lot more flying this year and Delta Amex giving away MQMs this year, I am moving quickly toward being a Medallion flyer for the first time. I have a few basic questions that I can't seem to find answers to over on FlyerTalk. I suppose I could call Delta, but I find the wait time odious and the reps often offer up conflicting information.
So, over at FT, lots of folks talk about acruing miles toward 2008 status. Does this mean that the MQMs I get this year will make me a SM or GM next year?
I am on the brink of having enough MQMs to qualify for SM in September, just before a flight to Europe. The flight I am on currently has 30 open seats in BE and I am thinking that maybe I could get upgraded if I were Medallion.
I have a few flights before then and I was thinking of doing that Hilton, Budget, Avis deal for a wedding I am going to this month to push my number high enough. Then I started to wonder if all these miles would change my status before 2008. If not, I probably won't bother with the Hilton/Avis promotion as I have other, more affordable reservations in place already.
Thanks! And if there is any other advice on how to take advantage of Medallion status for a newbie, that would be appreciated!
So, over at FT, lots of folks talk about acruing miles toward 2008 status. Does this mean that the MQMs I get this year will make me a SM or GM next year?
I am on the brink of having enough MQMs to qualify for SM in September, just before a flight to Europe. The flight I am on currently has 30 open seats in BE and I am thinking that maybe I could get upgraded if I were Medallion.
I have a few flights before then and I was thinking of doing that Hilton, Budget, Avis deal for a wedding I am going to this month to push my number high enough. Then I started to wonder if all these miles would change my status before 2008. If not, I probably won't bother with the Hilton/Avis promotion as I have other, more affordable reservations in place already.
Thanks! And if there is any other advice on how to take advantage of Medallion status for a newbie, that would be appreciated!
Jul 1st, 2007, 05:45 AM
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You're collecting MQM for 2008 status during 1/1/07 to 12/31/07. You'll be Silver once you get to 25,000, and the status will remain until 2/29/2008. If you get 50,000, you'll be gold until that same date.
Hilton, Budget or Avis won't give you MQM.
Open seats on a flight has nothing to do with award and upgrade availability. They can fly with those seats open and won't let you use miles to get it or upgrade.
Hilton, Budget or Avis won't give you MQM.
Open seats on a flight has nothing to do with award and upgrade availability. They can fly with those seats open and won't let you use miles to get it or upgrade.
Jul 1st, 2007, 06:23 AM
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Hi rkkwan. Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify...I will become Silver ONLY as of 1/1/2008, even if I rack up the 25K MQMs by September?
The Platinum card is giving away chunks of MQMs based on spending, in addition to regular miles this year. And the summer promotion for Hilton et al is offering 1K bonus MQMs per qualifying event. At least I think so...now I have to go back to FT and check...
Okay, I just jumped over there. That is the case...MQMs. I can appreciate all the "real" Medallion members being a little pissed off about this wholesale distribution of MQMs. Funny, even though it looks like I might benefit from my new status, in fact the dilution of the program may prevent that.
I know that open seats and getting upgraded is not directly connected. But, I figure that if there is even a sliver of a chance, I should give it a shot. I am a lucky person...but I tend to make my own luck!
The Platinum card is giving away chunks of MQMs based on spending, in addition to regular miles this year. And the summer promotion for Hilton et al is offering 1K bonus MQMs per qualifying event. At least I think so...now I have to go back to FT and check...
Okay, I just jumped over there. That is the case...MQMs. I can appreciate all the "real" Medallion members being a little pissed off about this wholesale distribution of MQMs. Funny, even though it looks like I might benefit from my new status, in fact the dilution of the program may prevent that.
I know that open seats and getting upgraded is not directly connected. But, I figure that if there is even a sliver of a chance, I should give it a shot. I am a lucky person...but I tend to make my own luck!
Jul 1st, 2007, 06:41 AM
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No, you qualify immediately - or I should say probably 1 day or 2 after your qualifying flights to wait for miles to post on your account.
So, say you fly ATL-BOM on 1/1/07, come back on 1/2/07 and then fly out again on 1/3/07, you'll be Silver Medallion for 26 months - from 1/3/07 to 2/28/09.
So, say you fly ATL-BOM on 1/1/07, come back on 1/2/07 and then fly out again on 1/3/07, you'll be Silver Medallion for 26 months - from 1/3/07 to 2/28/09.
Jul 1st, 2007, 07:05 AM
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Okay. That's exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you. If I do the MQM promos I mentioned, I will get my 25K before heading to France.
Are you saying that even if I am SM and there are empty seats in BE, I may still fly in coach? Why is that? Any way to increase the odds?
Thanks again for fielding some very basic questions. I love FT, but find the information overwhelming at times and often more geared to very experienced flyers. I feel more comfortable asking my little questions over here. Glad you hang out at Fodor's too...
Are you saying that even if I am SM and there are empty seats in BE, I may still fly in coach? Why is that? Any way to increase the odds?
Thanks again for fielding some very basic questions. I love FT, but find the information overwhelming at times and often more geared to very experienced flyers. I feel more comfortable asking my little questions over here. Glad you hang out at Fodor's too...
Jul 1st, 2007, 07:52 AM
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<i>"Are you saying that even if I am SM and there are empty seats in BE, I may still fly in coach? Why is that? Any way to increase the odds?</i>
Absolutely, if you're trying to use Skysaver award or upgrade award. A BE seat to Europe can cost 4x or more than coach. They have to keep the seats for sale, and even if they not sold at the end, they can't give it away for cheap or else no one will buy those seats in the future.
On the other hand, you can use Skychoice (double the miles) with no inventory restrictions.
Also, keep in mind that you can claim awards on Continental, Northwest, Air France, KLM and whole bunch of Skyteam and other partner airlines. Those may have standard award business class seats if you can't find one on DL.
Absolutely, if you're trying to use Skysaver award or upgrade award. A BE seat to Europe can cost 4x or more than coach. They have to keep the seats for sale, and even if they not sold at the end, they can't give it away for cheap or else no one will buy those seats in the future.
On the other hand, you can use Skychoice (double the miles) with no inventory restrictions.
Also, keep in mind that you can claim awards on Continental, Northwest, Air France, KLM and whole bunch of Skyteam and other partner airlines. Those may have standard award business class seats if you can't find one on DL.
Jul 1st, 2007, 08:15 AM
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Okay, I may have miscommunicated here. But perhaps the issue is that I know so little about being SM, the question does not even apply...
I am flying to France, in Coach (L) on a paid ticket. I was under the impression that once someone achieved Medallion status, they were eligible for automatic upgrades 1/3/5 days ahead of flying. (In my case...one day.) Am I dreaming?
I didn't think Medallion status changed anything regarding FF seats. Still the same pool of tickets to choose from. (Or lack thereof...) Will I have any advantages in the Award Ticket game being a SM?
I am flying to France, in Coach (L) on a paid ticket. I was under the impression that once someone achieved Medallion status, they were eligible for automatic upgrades 1/3/5 days ahead of flying. (In my case...one day.) Am I dreaming?
I didn't think Medallion status changed anything regarding FF seats. Still the same pool of tickets to choose from. (Or lack thereof...) Will I have any advantages in the Award Ticket game being a SM?
Jul 1st, 2007, 08:23 AM
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Automatic upgrade only for domestic FC.
I don't know enough about award availability on DL. Patty is our resident DL expert here, and I'm sure she'll respond to this thread when she reads this.
But on Continental, yes, silver/gold elite FF members have better award availability, platinum even better.
I don't know enough about award availability on DL. Patty is our resident DL expert here, and I'm sure she'll respond to this thread when she reads this.
But on Continental, yes, silver/gold elite FF members have better award availability, platinum even better.
Jul 1st, 2007, 09:21 AM
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Well, that settles it. I guess it's cattle class for me to CDG. I guess I get to board early. Yippee...extra time spent in the sardine can!
Would still be happy to hear from you Patty, if you're reading this, about how SMs or GMs may do better with FF tickets...
Thanks!
Would still be happy to hear from you Patty, if you're reading this, about how SMs or GMs may do better with FF tickets...
Thanks!
Jul 1st, 2007, 01:52 PM
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See this page for where complimentary Medallion upgrades apply http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_...ades/index.jsp
Medallion members do have increased Skysaver award availability and it is tiered (i.e. Silvers have more than general members, Golds have more than Silvers, etc.). However, this increased availability is only for economy class on Delta operated flights. So no difference if redeeming first or business or partner flights. It also doesn't mean that you'll see increased availability on every flight.
Hope this helps.
Medallion members do have increased Skysaver award availability and it is tiered (i.e. Silvers have more than general members, Golds have more than Silvers, etc.). However, this increased availability is only for economy class on Delta operated flights. So no difference if redeeming first or business or partner flights. It also doesn't mean that you'll see increased availability on every flight.
Hope this helps.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 08:56 AM
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Unfortunately, even Medallions can't pre-reserve exit row seats on transatlantic flights. There's a current petition circulating http://www.petitiononline.com/dlexit/petition.html
One more thing, Amy, if you do post a question on FT, use the designation FO for Silver Medallion. Everyone will know what that means whereas if you use SM it can be confused with SkyMiles.
One more thing, Amy, if you do post a question on FT, use the designation FO for Silver Medallion. Everyone will know what that means whereas if you use SM it can be confused with SkyMiles.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 08:23 AM
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Patty, thanks for that tip. I wondered what the heck a FO was. But the discussion over there is so complex, I feel somewhat foolish asking such basic questions.
I decided I'm going to go for the status, even though it won't make much of a difference on my trip to France in September. If nothing else, I'll get to board first, which will make my husband very happy. He always has a burr under his saddle about getting his carry-on stowed. And I will accrue 25% more miles on the 10K trip. (right?)
I never really understood the mileage run talk over there on FT. Even though I only Fly Often, I am beginning to feel a certain addictive pull toward racking up the MQMs -- a feeling once reserved for gathering SMs with things like major appliance purchases.
Lookout Zone 1, here we come!
I decided I'm going to go for the status, even though it won't make much of a difference on my trip to France in September. If nothing else, I'll get to board first, which will make my husband very happy. He always has a burr under his saddle about getting his carry-on stowed. And I will accrue 25% more miles on the 10K trip. (right?)
I never really understood the mileage run talk over there on FT. Even though I only Fly Often, I am beginning to feel a certain addictive pull toward racking up the MQMs -- a feeling once reserved for gathering SMs with things like major appliance purchases.
Lookout Zone 1, here we come!
Jul 3rd, 2007, 10:33 AM
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Yes, you'll get 25% bonus SkyMiles and you also have access to First/Business/Medallion check-in counters. Did you have the Plat Amex last year? If so, I assume you know that you can get both calendar and cardmember year spend bonuses in 2007 (for a possible 30K total). Between Amex and the Hilton/Budget/Avis promo, it's possible to become GM with only 10K MQMs from flying this year.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 04:11 PM
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I upgraded to Platinum in November. Got a 5K sign-up bonus.
In late May the following showed up on my statement:
Delta SkyMiles Credit Card PLATBU1 S07
It was another 10K miles and MQMs. I remember getting some publicity piece saying that we'd be getting MQMs for every dollar spent, or some such thing. Can't remember what exactly and all the digging around at FT didn't yield a reminder. I am assuming they give out the miles in chunks when you reach certain thresholds of spending.
And, of course, I am still spending like crazy! ;-)
In late May the following showed up on my statement:
Delta SkyMiles Credit Card PLATBU1 S07
It was another 10K miles and MQMs. I remember getting some publicity piece saying that we'd be getting MQMs for every dollar spent, or some such thing. Can't remember what exactly and all the digging around at FT didn't yield a reminder. I am assuming they give out the miles in chunks when you reach certain thresholds of spending.
And, of course, I am still spending like crazy! ;-)
