Frequent Fliers: What the heck is Delta Medallion Status and what do you do with it?

[motion]

I'm a bit of a mileage junkie, and am just now getting serious with Platinum AMEX cards to really ramp up my mileage bonuses. Mrs Motion and I will be using the miles for 2 free round the world tickets next year.

But, does anyone have any idea what the heck medallion, MQD, MQM etc are used for? It seems like getting a bump in your Medallion level is good for something, but I'm not sure what. Free upgrades? Anyone?


Saw this and it just makes no sense to me. The people on flyertalk are a bit intimidating, with all their contractions and abbreviations, LOL.

Silver Medallion – you will need 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs and $2,500 MQDs
Gold Medallion – you will need 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs and $5,000 MQDs
Platinum Medallion – you will need 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs and $7,500 MQDs
Diamond Medallion – you will need 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs and $12,500 MQDs

[stomachmonkey]

Don't know about that program in particular but I do know that status is a big enough deal for some of my road warrior neighbors that if they think they will fall short of their yearly minimum they will spend a couple of weekends taking high mileage trips to nowhere and back than risk dropping a level.


So for them to spend a couple grand going nowhere the status must come with some nice perks.

YMMV

[BRPORSCHE]

qualifying miles and qualifying segments.

[Icemaster]

Mqd's are new this year. Its the minimum amount of money youd need to spend with Delta. They offered a bunch of programs and credit cards that could be used to get you status without putting in the miles. Amex platinum for example.

It does get you some decent perks and upgrades. I usually fly first anyway, so upgrades arent as important. Where I see the benefit is when travel schedules get fouled up, being a revenue first class and platinum status gets me first dibs on getting rebooked.

[HardDrive]

Wife is about to go Platinum. Free access to their lounges globally. The lounge in CDG is not to be missed. You are also top of the heap to get class upgrades.

[widgeon13]

I think on Delta QM have to be full fare miles.

[Icemaster]

MQM » medallion.qualification miles. The number of miles flown. Class flown/bought gets you bonus.
MQS » medallion qualification segments. The number of flights flown, nonstop or connecting.

4 round trips coast to coast usually gets me one medallion level.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Icemaster

Mqd's are new this year. Its the minimum amount of money youd need to spend with Delta. They offered a bunch of programs and credit cards that could be used to get you status without putting in the miles. Amex platinum for example.

It does get you some decent perks and upgrades. I usually fly first anyway, so upgrades arent as important. Where I see the benefit is when travel schedules get fouled up, being a revenue first class and platinum status gets me first dibs on getting rebooked.

It really doesn't sound like that big of a deal. So why do people do mileage runs just to maintain status?

[Don Plumley]

I can't speak to Delta's program, but I can to AA, which is probably reasonably similar.

I'm a lifetime platinum with AA. What it means to me, on AA and other OneWorld carriers:

- Check in Business Class line
- No baggage fees
- No fees for premium seating (legroom, location (exit))
- Faster security line in some airports
- Priority boarding
- Priority placement on flights
- Ahead of Silver/Gold in terms of upgrades, but behind Exec Plat and secret levels
- Better priority when calling reservation/assistance
- Better seat selection (not hidden) online
- Lounge access internationally (but I also pay for an Admirals club domestically)
- No fees to redeem miles
- lots of other hidden benefits - basically you are treated a bit better.

I got lifetime with 2M miles, I have over 3M now. But a fair hunk came from the years of triple miles and use of a mileage credit card (buying airplane tickets). The perks definitely influences my airline choice for mid or long-haul flights.

[motion]

That's quite a few perks there, Don.

I get worldwide lounge access, priority boarding, free bags checked, etc, with my Platinum cards. Seating upgrades are a different world for me, since I always fly cattle. 1st class would be nice, but I can never justify the miles required or $$$, since I travel on my own dime.

[Don Plumley]

Here's the Delta program chart

I also fly coach everywhere since 2001 - either upgrades or winning an unseen lottery (like the last redeye to NYC). The ability to call and talk to a better qualified agent that is willing to move a mountain for you is really worthwhile. The exec plat desk was amazing - was able to get my mile tickets almost at will. They would seriously say, "Okay, if these are the dates, let me spend some time figuring out how to get in business class miles. I will call you back when I figure it out."

It's actually devaluing the program a bit that by using a certain credit card, instead of sustained patronage loyalty, that many of the perks are available. But I guess that will work out for me just in case AA one day discontinues the lifetime card.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Wife is about to go Platinum. Free access to their lounges globally. The lounge in CDG is not to be missed. You are also top of the heap to get class upgrades.

Which one?

[Chocaholic]

I've had varying Medallion status for years. I live in Atlanta so to fly anywhere, it's hard to avoid Delta even if you want to. Problem is...everyone is some level of Medallion. So, odds of upgrades and perks are pretty slim. I'm a "million miler" and platinum medallion and still end up in center seats in the back of the plane pretty often. And you do not get free Crown Room membership with Platinum Medallion as someone indicated above.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

Here's the Delta program chart

I also fly coach everywhere since 2001 - either upgrades or winning an unseen lottery (like the last redeye to NYC). The ability to call and talk to a better qualified agent that is willing to move a mountain for you is really worthwhile. The exec plat desk was amazing - was able to get my mile tickets almost at will. They would seriously say, "Okay, if these are the dates, let me spend some time figuring out how to get in business class miles. I will call you back when I figure it out."

It's actually devaluing the program a bit that by using a certain credit card, instead of sustained patronage loyalty, that many of the perks are available. But I guess that will work out for me just in case AA one day discontinues the lifetime card.

I was Platinum Plus with Continental. When I was trying to fly back to Houston after Hurricane Ike (2008) from Romania, there was going to be a three day wait in Newark.

I called the Platinum desk and worked with a real person who was interested in getting me home. They sent me to Minneapolis, because there were seats on a flight the next morning to Houston, when the airport was expected to open. Not only did they fly me to Minneapolis, but they put me up overnight in a Hotel.

This is what this kind of status does for you.

[Icemaster]

Originally Posted by motion

It really doesn't sound like that big of a deal. So why do people do mileage runs just to maintain status?

Used to be it was use it or lose it. If you were at 49k miles at the end of the year, you were getting silver and the other 24k miles went out the window. Hence, the 'mileage run' to get to the next level. Couple years ago Delta started letting you roll MQMs over, so the - eg above you'd start the year at silver with 24 k rolled over from last year instead of zero, basically putting you already half way to gold.

Delta has a status match program, I don't remember the particulars about it though. USAirways has a great program that let's you buy up to a level, or do a temp upgrade for 90 days; fly a certain number of segments of miles in that period and you get the status for the duration. If your planning on doing a lot of travel in a short period time, might be worth it.

Bottom line, the service and perks you receive at gold or better really do make a difference. If you travel a lot, anything that's making the travel a little better in some way is appreciated.

[bell]

Watch the movie” up in the air” :-)

[cairns]

It makes a huge difference if you're flying a lot. If you aren't who cares- buy first at a discount or sit in cattle class.

I was a UA 100Ker for many years. If I were a little short I would make a mileage run or two (usually to Europe). Now I have no status and sit in the back like everyone else- but I am using the last of my miles to go to Bangkok sitting up front this Winter.

The trouble is if you're flying that much it really eats into your life. The wife and I had problems; I got sick of it (even sitting up front gets old), you were usually trying to get work done on the plane and you were always semi jet lagged (and I tried every trick in the book). The perks helped and I love to travel but unless I'm doing it for fun I try to stay off airplanes as much as I can now. TSA sure hasn't helped and they don't serve caviar anymore. The domestic first meals are what you used to get in coach and while the international food is better it's the flat bed that really matters IMO.

[sm70911]

Delta programme is great. I have Delta/Amex for the company. For all work travel I buy tickets on Delta with it and put the cost as a line item in the job. I build up miles, and client gets a better deal too, makes me more competitive. I take prof equipt with me for work so the free second bag is a huge help, Priority boarding (great means I don't have someone elses stuff in the overhead bin above my seat) first to get bumped up a class just happened on last return trip, and use of lounges.
Although Delta Premium is not up to Air France or some of the other airlines premium, its pretty good and a lot less than Business, which means I can bid a job sometimes 2-5k less. No TV in the seat back unfortunately on the last trip but I-pad takes care of that. Only negative is that they used to offer 3 meal choice in Premium, one of which was a decent chicken salad, sadly that's now gone.
And mileage adds up, me and the Lady are off to Jamaica in Delta PE for thanksgiving $100 each R/T

[motion]

Well, they just gave me silver medallion status and I'm almost to gold already. I took the opportunity to get free exit aisle seats on some upcoming trips, so I'm digging it already. I guess if there's room in the upgrade seats, I'll get those automatically? Kinda funny, because I really don't fly Delta all that much, but spend a lot on my Delta platinum amex cards. Guess that's all it takes.

[pavegeno]

Live in Hawaii and travel frequently to Asia and the east coast. Platinum gets you free entry to the Delta Club on international travel. That means free food, Wi-Fi, nice chairs, showers, and peace and quiet. You also get free upgrades to economy comfort or preferred seats as (aisle, window and front of the plane). You get to board immediately following first/business class to get the overhead bin space. You get two free round trip upgrades to first class each year which is really nice on the 7-10 hour international flights with lay flat seats and great food choices. Free bags and the dedicated platinum reservation and question line is great for zero waiting on the phone when you need something. You get a few luggage tags as well. Recently got a bag mangled on a trip (it was old and falling apart anyway) and Delta replaced my bag with a brand new bag that was even bigger for me. That was cool. free upgrades to first class on domestic flights is nice though it's hard to get one out of Atlanta, but most everywhere else it works out pretty well. You also get free drink and meal coupons to use so you don't have to pay. ONe last thing that is neat is that they give you coupons to give to crew members or counter folks who are very helpful. They get some type of reward or credit. They are always happy to receive one of those.

The Delta app for the iPhone is very good and I use it all the time. Even sitting at the gate I will monitor the seats on the airplane and switch if a better seat comes open as people show, upgrade, or don't show.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight!