Thanks to TICKET reader JK for sharing an image of his very special new Diamond Medallion bag tags sent to him by Delta this month. (If you’ve got a better image, please send it along to us and we’ll get it posted here!)
Diamond Medallion status is Delta’s new super-elite tier. Members must earn at least 125,000 MQMs with Delta to get one of these cards. With it comes free membership to Delta’s Sky Clubs, 125% mileage bonuses, confirmed day-of-travel upgrades, and baggage fee waivers. Apparently Delta bag handlers have been told to look for these super special Diamond tags and get them off the plane and to baggage claim first.
But for some the BEST part about having a DIAMOND medallion tag is to have it dangle from your bag in the overhead bin to the awe of other, more lowly metallic medallions. “Brag tags” is the current lingo for this phenomenon.
While JK is pleased with his new Diamond status, he says that he preferred the more discreet look of his black platinum medallion credentials from ’08. (see below) What to you think?
P.S.: Mar 3: Delta emailed us to add: “Actually, our employees have been (and continue to be) trained to watch for bags checked with our yellow priority bag flag that is affixed to their baggage claim tag at the time of check-in. This is a SkyTeam benefit (described here) and something that we have put a renewed focus on since January 2010. It is really starting to be noticed by our most frequent travelers.”
Can anyone out there send us an image of a yellow priority bag flag? We’ll post it here!
Thanks to TICKET reader CBG for sending along this image of the new Silver Medallion tags.
The new metal luggage tags are great … we all thought. However, put them on your checked bag and after a few flight they look like a wadded up business card. (The plastic ones uncrumple and come out looking fresh after being knocked around as bags are tossed here and there, bounced out on conveyor belts, etc, The metal ones don’t uncrumple. It is amazing.)
A little more troubling – a Diamond over at MIA the other day pointed out to the gate staff how, with a little filing, his metal Diamond tag could be turned into an object with a VERY sharp cutting edge. that is NOT good.
I’m Diamond and it is all hollow doubletalk. Now that Delta is the largest, and has all the Worldperks added on top, your chances of upgrade are slim. And whats with the “benefit” of upgrade from full Y fare? Y and first are the same price!
Furthermore, and award ticket in business is now so high the 125% doesn’t really help–we’ve all lost ground for our loyalty.
Does anybody out there know how many Diamonds there are???
Diamond is nice but out of reach in any reasonable year for me, but I’m more worried about my lowly Lifetime Gold. Years ago when I went over 2mm I recieved all the hoopla saying I was Lifetime Gold (and I usually either earn that or platinum annually). In February 2010 I recieved an annual Gold level package based on last years activity and the NW FF merger. When I asked if I would still be Lifetime Gold if i lived past 12/31/10, they could not really answer clearly. Anybody know if the Lifetime levels have been demoted to annual levels?
Sent to me by reader DC:
I completely agree with “JK” about Delta’s new Medallion tags: they are too big. The old ones have a much better shape, are less obtrusive and less obnoxious.
That is the Platinum luggage tag is from ’08. The ’09 Platinum luggage tag was also black but square like the current Diamond luggage tag in the picture.