Diamond Archives - TravelSkills

Delta Diamond status just got a lot harder to earn

September 26, 2017

Diamond status is getting a lot harder to come by(Image: Delta)

Delta flyers who want to reach SkyMiles’ ultra-elite Diamond Medallion status have to fly 125,000 qualifying miles or 140 segments annually, and they have to rack up at least $15,000 in spending (i.e., Medallion Qualifying Dollars or MQDs) on Delta and its partners. Or they can avoid that last requirement by spending a certain amount on a Delta American Express credit card.

But that so-called “MQD Waiver” for Diamond status will soon be a lot harder to achieve.

Currently, the waiver requires spending $25,000 a year on a qualifying credit card. But as of January 1, that minimum spend will jump to an eye-popping $250,000 in a calendar year for aspiring Diamond Medallion elites. That might be OK if you’re planning to make a down payment on a new house with your card, but it’s quite a stretch for just about anyone else.

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Showing a talent for understatement, the carrier said on its website that “We understand this is a significant increase.” But it noted that the minimum annual card spending level for earning a MQD Waiver toward its other elite levels (Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion) will remain at $25,000. And it reminded members that the change will not affect their 2017 efforts to gain Diamond status for 2018.

Why such a huge bump in required spending to gain a waiver from the Diamond MQD requirement? Delta really doesn’t explain that. All it says is: “This qualification change will allow us to deliver on expectations for Diamond Medallion status so members can maximize elite benefits like Complimentary Upgrades and Sky Club access.”

Outrage over the move has become frothy on social media:

Time to cancel @Delta @Amex cards now that Diamond MQD waiver increased 25k to 250k!! The disrespect from #Delta #Amex to fliers is crazy.
— DailyTravelTips (@DailyTravelTips) September 26, 2017

TravelSkills reader ES comments: “It would be $250K overall on the Delta/AmEx card to get a waiver, or $15,000 on tickets. For me, it means I won’t be using the Delta/AmEx card exclusively anymore.”

On our TravelSkills Facebook page, reader JD said: “This is good news to the passengers that put in the miles (apposed to buying miles). They fly a lot and want those upgrades!”

To see the announcement and some FAQs about the change, click here, then click into Medallion Program Updates.

What about you, readers? Will this change affect your plans to reach 2019 Diamond status?

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Delta boosts Diamond benefits

February 2, 2017

Sky Club membership is becoming a part of Delta SkyMiles’ Choice Benefits options. (Image: Delta)

Delta said Diamond Medallion members of its SkyMiles program will be getting more perks.

Under SkyMiles’ Choice Benefits feature, Diamonds could previously select two perks of their preference. But now, when qualifying for 2018 status, they can pick three.

Options available include Sky Club Individual or Executive memberships, Sky Club guest passes, the ability to “gift” status, bonus miles, travel or retail gift cards, and vouchers to cover the cost of applying for Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program (which also includes TSA PreCheck privileges). More details from Delta here.

Starting with the 2018 status year, one Choice Benefit selection can be used for an individual Sky Club membership, or two can be applied toward an Executive membership. (For 2017, Sky Club membership is provided with Diamond status but without costing the member a Choice Benefits selection.)

Global Entry membership cost is covered as one Choice Benefit option. (Chris McGinnis)

Global Entry membership cost is covered as one Choice Benefit option. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

“A key component to the change is moving Delta Sky Club access to a Choice Benefit option for Diamond Medallion members,” Delta said. “This move offers a large number of members who already have other means to enter Delta Sky Club, such as the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express, the opportunity for an additional Choice Benefit selection.”

Diamonds who already have Sky Club access from a credit card will have a new option: They can select a Sky Club guest pass providing unlimited Club access for up to two guests per visit, when they are traveling with the cardholder.

What’s more, for both 2017 and 2018 Medallion year Choice Benefit selections, Diamonds can now pick their benefit options at different times instead of all at once. And Diamond Medallions will be able to make multiple selections of the same benefit, “excluding Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates and Delta Sky Club memberships,” the airline said.

Delta’s website includes a full breakdown of Medallion-level benefits for the 2017 and 2018 status years.

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New facets for HHonors Diamond lifetime status

December 16, 2016

HHonors Diamond members can get free premium Wi-Fi at hotels like the New York Hilton Midtown. (Image: Hilton)

Hilton’s loyalty program is making it a little easier to earn its highest elite status permanently.

Effective next month, a company spokesperson tells TravelSkills, Hilton’s HHonors program is making a couple of adjustments to the requirements for lifetime Diamond designations.

The current rules state that members who want lifetime Diamond status must have maintained Diamond status for a minimum of 10 years — not necessarily consecutive ones – and stayed at least 1,000 total paid nights in Hilton properties.

Under the new terms, those 1,000 nights needed to qualify can be either paid nights or award nights.

As an alternative to the 1,000 nights, 10-year Diamond members can now gain lifetime status by accumulating 2 million base points in the HHonors program.

“Only base points are eligible” for the latter requirement, the spokesperson said. “Bonus points earned via promotions, co-branded credit cards, or other means do not count towards status.”

The company will notify members by email in February 2017 if they have qualified for a lifetime Diamond status by December 31 of this year. “If you want a sneak peek to find out if you will qualify, you can contact the Diamond Desk and the team will be happy to help,” the spokesperson said.

Here’s a summary of the current requirements to achieve Diamond status annually, and a list of the benefits associated with that level.

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CLEAR expands to Delta hubs; Diamonds get it free

April 29, 2016

Alaska Airlines is working with CLEAR to replace boarding passes with biometrics. (Image: CLEAR)

Delta will provide CLEAR for free to a lucky few elites (Image: CLEAR)

Today Delta and CLEAR announced a partnership to bring the expedited security lanes to “more airports across the country.” The company’s biometric service will be offered free of charge to SkyMiles Diamond members while Delta elites will get “preferential pricing.”

Given all the grave warnings about extra long security lines at airports this summer due to TSA staffing issues, the announcement is well-timed.

The announcement also states that Delta and CLEAR plan to expand security line access points to Delta’s U.S. hub airports. While neither company is commenting on specifics today, I assume that this means that those special fast lanes will soon be in New York airports (JFK and La Guardia). This would be a coup for the company which has had difficulty achieving the critical mass of airports necessary to make the service worth its $179 annual fee.

Currently, the service is available at only 13 airports, but few Delta hubs such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Detroit or Minneapolis.

Related: CLEAR is now cardless

Airports that currently have CLEAR lanes

The AJC reports that Delta is also buying a 5% stake in the company.

“Our customers tell us their time is valuable, as is having a consistent, enjoyable airport experience with reduced hassle,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s incoming CEO. “We look forward to what this partnership will bring to our customers.”

CLEAR currently operates at San Francisco, San Jose, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth,Houston Bush, Houston Hobby, San Antonio, Austin, Orlando, Miami, Las Vegas, Baltimore-Washington, and Westchester County Airport in New York. Additionally, its biometric service can be found at Yankee Stadium in New York, Coors Field in Denver, Marlins Park in Miami and AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Sooo whaddya think? Have you used CLEAR in the past? If Delta can get the service into its hubs, would you be willing to pay for it? Please leave your comments below.

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Hilton sets launch of free premium Wi-Fi

June 8, 2015

HHonors Diamond members can get free premium Wi-Fi at hotels like the New York Hilton Midtown. (Image: Hilton)

Hilton’s HHonors program has provided us with more information about the planned rollout this year of free premium Wi-Fi for Diamond-level members who book directly with the hotel group (or through an approved travel agency partner), which was originally announced in March.

The new Diamond perk will begin this month for Hilton’s Western Hemisphere properties, although it won’t start until August or September for Hiltons in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region and the Asia Pacific region.

“Also, Gold, Silver and Blue members will receive free standard Wi-Fi when booking through one of our propriety channels or via one of our approved travel agent partners,” a spokesperson said.

Here are the specifics she provided:

Rollout Timing

Beginning in June 2015, premium Internet access, where available, will be rolled out globally and will be free of charge, for Diamond members who book directly. This offering will not be available until August through September in EMEA and APAC.
Free standard Wi-Fi will continue to be a benefit for Hilton HHonors Gold members who also book directly through our proprietary Hilton channels one of our approved travel agent partners.
Free standard Wi-Fi will be available on June 4, 2015 for all HHonors members who book directly at all StayConnected properties globally.
The HHonors Terms and Conditions will be updated on June 4, 2015 to reflect these changes.

What are your thoughts about the difference between “premium” or “enhanced” versus “standard” hotel wi-fi? Is a standard connection enough for you? Please leave your comments below!

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SkyMiles upgrade (seriously) + Buying MQMs + Southwest shrinkage + Delta's big bump + Southwest surprise

December 11, 2013

Delta’s Tiffany & Co bag tag

Yesterday, Delta announced some welcome changes for its top tier platinum and diamond medallion flyers. This is especially good news considering the series of downgrades to the program we’ve seen over the last year. Regrettably, the move targets only Delta’s super-elite…the SkyMiles world is still a relatively cold and lonely place for those carrying silver and gold.

FREE INTERNATIONAL UPGRADES…Well, almost. Diamond Medallions will finally have international upgrade certificates they can use on any flight no matter what fare they paid. Beginning in March of next year, Diamond members can select 4 Global Upgrades as one of their Choice benefits. These are good on any fare (except for the most restricted, and rare, E class) and subject to availability (we’ve been unable to determine how easy or hard this might be since Delta blocked Expert Flyer from showing upgrade space). Previously, systemwide upgrades were only good on pricey Y, B, or M fares. This move puts Delta in line with American, which offers similar systemwide upgrades to its top tier on any fare and above United, which requires a certain fare class to use systemwide upgrades. The new Global upgrades will also work on certain higher fare classes on KLM for upgrades to business and on Air France for upgrades to Premium Economy. Regional upgrades are another Choice option made available for Platinum (four certificates) and Diamond Medallions (eight certificates) and are good on any economy fare (except for E class). They are available to use on any flight that traditionally offers complimentary upgrades and can be requested and confirmed in advance. If no space is available, these upgrade certificates will receive a higher priority than complimentary upgrades.

UPGRADE CHANGES…If you are Hawaii-bound, Delta is now following United’s footsteps to offer free Medallion upgrades on flights that depart from Western cities. Flights from Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle to Hawaii are now eligible for Medallion upgrades, but the Atlanta-Honolulu nonstop is not. Nor are any of Delta’s “direct” flights that stop over on the west coast on the way to Hawaii. Delta giveth and taketh away though. Beginning March 1 of next year, those premium, flat-bedded, transcontinental flights between JFK and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle (which don’t touch ATL) will no longer be eligible for complimentary upgrades. This means that a Diamond Medallion would have to redeem a Global upgrade, redeem miles, or purchase a business class fare (currently in the $3,500 range) to sit up front on those plush transcons.

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MORE CHOICE BENEFITS…Platinum and Diamond Medallions that reach certain flying thresholds will also have more choices next year. In addition to the new regional and global upgrades, starting in March Delta will add Global Entry application fee waivers (Diamond Medallion members get two and Platinum Medallion members get one. Value: $100 each) and two Diamond Medallion luggage tags from Tiffany & Co.

Here’s Delta’s announcement regarding the coming changes.

Please leave your comments about the changes below!

Lookout for Delta’s holiday carts

DELTA CHEER CARTS MAKE HOLIDAY APPEARANCE…Delta’s flight attendants and pilots will be rolling out “cheer carts” at various locations in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle throughout the month. On the carts will be a selection of drinks, snacks, and gifts offered to passersby to promote the holiday spirit. Coca-Cola products and Biscoff are expected giveaways, but other treats will include airline swag like wings, t-shirts, scarves, and water bottles. Look for the carts on city streets throughout the holiday season as part of the airline’s surprise and delight efforts. To find out where the nearest cart may appear, visit Delta’s Facebook and Twitter profiles for more details. To watch the holiday video that features the cheer carts in action, click here.

GOT CASH?, BUY MQMS…If you are short of MQMs for the year, Delta is following repeating its annual year-end opportunity to buy access to elite status at ridiculously high prices. (The deal was a lot better in leaner times! Remember this? Or the time Delta offered up to 15,000 MQMs for those who donated to charities like AID Atlanta or Grady Hospital? Those were the days!) Anyway… for flyers who are still missing MQMs, buying them is rarely the answer unless time is of the essence. Delta knows that many customers will come up short at the end of the year and has traditionally cashed in on those that need that slight nudge to the next level. The rates vary depending upon your Medallion level, so hold your nose and at least go check this link. We are already getting comments about this like this one from CL: “Have you seen this year’s version of “buy your way to Medallion?” What a rip. Prices have doubled. Remember a few years ago where making a couple of $500 donations could get you 10k, and then last year, $995 cash got you 10k? This year it is $1,995 – what are they thinking?”

HOLIDAY FAVOR? Hey TICKET readers, will you please do us a favor? Please copy and paste the link to this post, forward it to at least FIVE FRIENDS and encourage them to sign up for The TICKET! We need more readers and this would help out immeasurably! THANK YOU!!

SOUTHWEST DITCHES THREE CITIES…Bags will no longer fly free from three cities beginning next summer when Southwest ditches service to Branson, Missouri; Jackson Mississippi; and Key West, Florida. None was able to sustain the demand that Southwest needed to continue operations there. The cities will be dropped from the route map next summer.

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DELTA BUMPS ENTIRE FLIGHT…Delta received some unwanted press recently when a Delta Connection flight was canceled for maintenance reasons from Gainesville, Fla. to Atlanta. Passengers may not have been so upset if they had not noticed the University of Florida basketball team boarding their same aircraft. They later learned that their flight was canceled so that the team could make their scheduled game in Connecticut. While the gate agent was not entirely forthcoming to passengers as to why the flight was canceled, Delta was certainly within reason to cancel the flight. The basketball team is also a Delta customer (sports charters are big business for airlines), and canceling one flight to move aircraft to serve another flight for maintenance reasons is not uncommon. What do you think about what happened? Would you have upset if the gate agent had been more honest about the situation?

SOUTHWEST SURPRISES FLYERS WITH NINTENDO…In a nifty partnership with Nintendo, customers aboard Southwest flight 1883 from New Orleans to Dallas Love Field on Nov. 26 received a free Wii U console. Mario, of Super Mario Brothers, was awaiting customers in the terminal to hand out their new high-definition video game system. Lucky flyers!

ATLANTA AIRPORT MANAGER RETIRES…Hartsfield Jackson’s airport manager is planning to retire on Jan. 3 after spending 37 years in the aviation industry. He has worked at Atlanta’s airport since 2010. Louis Miller has helped boost the airport’s economic status in the community while also managing the successful opening of the Maynard H. Jackson international terminal. A new interim manager will step in until another airport chief is hired.

—Chris McGinnis & Ramsey Qubein

AVOID HOLIDAY HASSLES WITH VALET PARKING AT ATL! Have you noticed the flurry of men and women in green blazers on the lower level passenger pick up areas at ATL? They are new parking valet attendants from GreenCoat Auto Concierge & Valet service. For $20 per day, you can now drive to the airport, leave your car with a GreenCoat at the terminal, and head off on your trip. The valet will drive your car to a secure, indoor, off-airport lot and park it. When you return, just call GreenCoat and let them know you’re coming, and an attendant will bring your car back to the airport terminal, hand it over to you, and you drive home. Nice! GreenCoat has just signed on as a sponsor of The TICKET so you’ll be hearing more about the service in coming months. Give it a try and let us know how it goes! NOTE: ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Special for TICKET readers: First timers get 1,000 Delta SkyMiles!

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