Delta Targeted Medallion Platinum Offer To Drool Over

Competition over New York-based flyers is heating up this week with offers from both Delta and American for flyers who book premium international tickets to reach a higher elite status level plus a few other valuable perks.

The Delta offer is hands-down the more generous of the two. Targeted folks who register before March 31, 2014, can receive:
• 60 days of complimentary Platinum Medallion status.
• 60 days of complimentary Delta Sky Club membership.

Then to keep that status, they have to book one BusinessElite ticket and fly within 60 days of registration to earn:
• Platinum Medallion status through February 2015.
• Delta Sky Club membership for an additional 10 months.
• 100,000 bonus miles.

That's a pretty rich offer, but it does come with several conditions. First of all, it's definitely targeted. Per the T&C, "This offer is nontransferable. To be eligible for the status upgrade, a member must (i) register online by March 31, 2014, and (ii) not have received a status match or complimentary Medallion status in the past."

Second, you can't buy just any old business class ticket to qualify for those extra bonuses. You will need to purchase and fly one qualifying BusinessElite fare (fare classes J/C/D/I/Z) on a flight offering BusinessElite service within 60 days after enrolling. Qualifying flight must be marketed and operated by Delta. Codeshare flights operated by carriers other than Delta are excluded from this offer.

So they're really gunning for the premium flyers on this one who are purchasing international business class or transcontinental fares. If you're a non-Delta flyer who does have some qualifying travel (or can book qualifying travel) coming up, though, you should definitely try to take advantage of this offer since you get Platinum Medallion and Sky Club membership without doing anything, and then once you take that qualifying flight, you're good through February 2015 and get 100,000 Delta miles. It's a no-brainer. Especially because it normally requires flying 50,000 miles or 60 segments and spending $7,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars to reach Platinum now.

The promo does not specify the type of Sky Club membership you get, but I suspect it's at the new individual level that would cost $450 otherwise.

As I mentioned, this offer was targeted, but if you think you can fulfill the requirements, might as well call Delta up and ask if you can register by referencing Delta customer service representative to 970627. It never hurts to ask!

As a reminder, Platinum Medallion status benefits include:

• Complimentary upgrades
• 100% Mileage bonus
• Preferred seating
• Baggage fee waiver
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Same day confirmed/standby fee waiver
• Waived award redeposit/reissue fees
• SkyTeam Elite Plus status
• Discounted Sky Club membership
• Choice Benefits

American's Counter-offer

American just released an expedited elite status offer of its own specifically targeted at the lucrative New York-London route and for Gold-level elites to reach Platinum status faster. Register here with the promo code STSPL and when you travel round-trip in First or Business Class on American Airlines or British Airways through April 30, 2014, you'll receive AAdvantage Platinum status through February 2015.

Per the T&C:

Includes First Class and Business Class fares booked in F, A, P, J, R, D or I on American Airlines operated flights; First Class or Club World (Business Class) fares booked in F, A, J, R, C, D or I on British Airways operated flights; registration prior to travel is required. This AAdvantage promotion is valid for round-trip travel on purchased, published fare tickets on American Airlines and British Airways, operated nonstop flights (includes flights marketed by American or British Airways and operated by the other carrier) between New York Kennedy (JFK) or Newark (EWR) and London Heathrow (LHR); and between New York Kennedy (JFK) and London City Airport (LCY) from January, 29, 2014, through April 30, 2014. A round trip is defined as two one-way trips booked in a single reservation, under one ticket number. Travel flown prior to registration for this promotion is not eligible. Flights operated by other codeshare partners are not eligible for this promotion.

Not nearly as lucrative as Delta's offer, but if you're targeted, might as well register and earn that Platinum status faster. As a reminder, AA Platinum status includes:

• Access to the Platinum Service Desk reservation line at 1-800-843-3000.
• Priority access check-in, security screening lands and boarding to avoid lines. In airports where there is not Business check-in, you can use the First Class check-in.
• Access to preferred seats (aisle and window) for you and up to 8 companions, or Main Cabin Extra.
• 100% bonus on base miles for eligible flights.
• Minimum of 500 AAdvantage miles per flight segment on applicable routes.
• AAdvantage award charge fees waived when using miles from your AAdvantage account.
• Check two bags free of charge (for you and your companions up to 9 on a reservation).
• Discount for Admirals Club membership (for complimentary snacks, drinks and WiFi).
• As a Platinum member with AA, you will have Sapphire status for oneworld partners and earn priority check-in and preferred seating when traveling with one of the member airlines.
• Same-day standby.
• You will also get priority check-in and boarding when traveling on Alaska Airlines, along with two checked bags free of charge.

This offer is targeted to NY-area Gold elites it seems, because even a Gold elite from Los Angeles who tried registering got the following error message:

Still, it's worth trying to sign up for and seeing if you can register.

Were you targeted with either/both offers? What's your plan?