Delta Includes a Minimum Spending Amount For Status

Rip on Delta Week continues with a huge program change. To have Delta status in 2014, you need to spend a minimum of $2,500 with Delta.  Partner flights not booked with a DL1234 flight number and taxes don't count.  This is a seismic shift in elite program rules and it defines loyalty as a monetary transaction.  Loyalty is much more complex than spending money with a company and Delta is missing the point.  Current Delta Elites should just status match over to Alaska, they'll still get Delta upgrades, plus get American upgrades and respect.

Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) – Coming Next Year

Beginning January 1, 2014, SkyMiles members residing in the United States (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will earn Medallion status through a combination of miles or segments flown and their annual spending on Delta flights, which will be measured by Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

• The threshold ranges from $2,500-$12,500 MQDs depending on Medallion level.
• Alternatively, Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers can be waived from the new Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) requirement if they make at least $25,000 in Eligible Purchases within the calendar year.
• MQDs are the total of the SkyMiles member’s spend on Delta-marketed flights (flight numbers that include the “DL” airline code), inclusive of the base fare and applicable surcharges, but exclusive of government- imposed taxes and fees.

Delta Taking Customers To A Cold And Lonely Place