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'Delta and Amex Have Lost Their Minds:' Flyers React to Airline's New $250,000 MQD Spend Requirement

Sept. 26, 2017
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3 min read
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'Delta and Amex Have Lost Their Minds:' Flyers React to Airline's New $250,000 MQD Spend Requirement
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If you're a frequent flyer with Delta eyeing top-tier Diamond Medallion status, you're going to face a much, much tougher hurdle to hit that status after this year ends. The airline just increased the Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) waiver spending requirement to an absolutely mind-boggling $250,000.

As it stands now, you're able to earn the MQD waiver for Diamond status after spending $25,000 on an eligible Delta co-branded Amex card like the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. The change is noted on Delta's website and goes into effect as of January 1, 2018. The airline is keeping the Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) requirement the same at 125,000 miles.

While this astronomical figure is certainly shocking, Delta remains the only legacy carrier to offer a waiver to earn top-tier status. American offers a way to earn Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) through its co-branded cards. If you spend $50,000 in a calendar year, you'll earn 6,000 EQDs, half of what's needed for Executive Platinum status. United doesn't offer a way to earn a waiver through credit card spend for its top-tier Premier 1K status,which beat Delta Diamond in The Points Guy's comprehensive rankings of elite status programs. If you're dedicated to earning Diamond status but don't want to (or won't) meet the new $250k MQD requirement, you can still reach the level if you fly the 125,000 miles required and spend a minimum of $15,000 on Delta flights.

Delta's clearly trying to solidify its Diamond Medallion status as a super-exclusive level reserved for its highest-spending flyers. While in a way it's still better than American or United, $250,000 is a lot to spend on the airline's co-branded cards, and will likely outrage many of Delta's most loyal flyers and push some to competing airlines. Since the spend requirement for the Diamond status waiver is so astronomical, you're better off using The Platinum Card® from American Express, since it gives you 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly through the airline or through Amex Travel as well as access to Delta SkyClubs when flying with the airline as well as the network of fantastic Centurion lounges. The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Reaction from TPG readers has been swift and overwhelmingly negative. Readers have been emailing asking, for example, if "Amex and Delta have lost their minds." Other readers have signaled that this will be the end of their relationship with Delta: "Unbelievable. Loyalty? Time for [a] status match" with another airline, a reader emailed. If you are angered or insulted by this change, be sure to tag the airline in any social media posts on Twitter or Facebook to let it know that you think the change is outrageous and that it should be reversed.

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Do you think Delta and Amex have lost their minds with this change?

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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.