Delta Puts Elite Perks Up for Sale

As this calendar year comes to a close, frequent travelers' thoughts turn to earning elite perks for 2012.

For those within striking distance of earning status, or upgrading from a lower to a higher elite tier, the typical strategy involves a mileage run—one or more flights taken to earn as many elite-qualifying miles as possible, at the lowest possible cost.

But if you're a member of Delta's SkyMiles program, there's another option for topping up your balance of Medallion-qualifying miles (MQMs).

Offer Details

Through December 30 (extended from December 15), Delta SkyMiles members may purchase up to 10,000 MQMs, as follows:

• 2,500 MQMs for $295
• 5,000 MQMs for $495
• 7,500 MQMs for $695
• 10,000 MQMs for $895

The purchased MQMs will apply toward Medallion status in 2012.

Deal or No Deal

Depending on the quantity purchased, the miles price out at between around 9 and 12 cents apiece. With non-elite miles generally available for sale at around 3 cents each, the MQMs look very expensive by comparison. On the other hand, because they count toward earning the benefits of elite status, they are worth more than non-qualifying miles.

How much more is in the eye of the beholder, and ultimately comes down to the value you place on a year's worth of elite perks.

If you're already considering a mileage run to top off your account, it's definitely worth comparing the cost of flying to the cost of simply buying the MQMs. Even savvy consumers will be hard pressed to earn 10,000 MQMs—the equivalent of two cross-country round-trips—for much less than $895. And that's without factoring in the value of the time wasted on a mileage run.

Reader Reality Check

How much would you be willing to pay for elite-qualifying miles?

Comments

[Danny]

This just reaffirms that the only commitment that Delta has is to the bottom line, Profit. As a Diamond Medallion since its inception I have found especially this year with the exception of free checked bags, the status gives you spotty upgrades and no real consistent advantage. EVERY TRIP has at least one segment where I am 6 or 8 on a wait list for a first class seat and these are M-class or better fares. I feel that the Delta Frequent flier programs has serious issues with compensation for the most loyal travelers. I do not expect a first class upgrade always, it is a privilege, however I do not expect a middle row seat either, comp me with points or give me the pick of a choice seat.

[William Beeman]

I had 72,000 miles and purchased 5000 MQM's under this deal. At Platinum status (75,000 MQM's) one also gets four system-wide upgrades as well as access to international lounges. That is worth more than the cost of the MQM's, and as others have observed, saves a useless trip at the end of the year. As a Platinum customer I have already been upgraded on a ticket I purchased with miles. I think this is a winner.

[JCX]

Will Delta post Rollover MQM's the end of this year (2011) to count toward Medallion Elite status in 2013?

[MARCIA STAUBER]

I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT GETTING FREQUENT FLYER TICKETS WITH DELTA/ I USED THEIR CALENDAR ON LINE TO TRY TO GET BUSINESS CLASS TICKET MIAMI TO CDG PARIS SUMMER JUNE 2012 GOT THE DATE I WANTED FIRST TRY ON AIR FRANCE I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM GETTING A FREE TICKET AND DID NOT HAVE TO PAY EXTRA MILAGE MAYBE YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO USE THE SYSTEM

[Delta Diamond Member]

What is the URL for the sale?

[JM]

Delta elite programs reflect their commitment to Delta's bottom line only not to their frequent flyers who long term support them.

[retired43]

This was totally worth it for me. I had 73k miles & was going to do a mileage run. For a bit over $300 I got the miles for cheaper than the lowest cost flight from HNL I could get. Plus it saved me the time & aggravation of a mileage run. It's possible that I may hit Platinum without it as I have some Hawaiian Air miles waiting to convert. But sometimes DL honors those & sometimes they don't. This way I don't have to worry about it.

[Mike]

Totally Worthless.

Delta is the worst for using miles for trips. Very Stingy and 97% of the time, not doable. Delta makes it next to impossible unless you pay huge amount of miles to book any trip even a year in advance. They are the worst of the lot.

[jvk]

These programs are exactly the reason I am done with Delta
How about reserving these upgrade perks for people that really travel
a lot instead of throwing it up for sale causing downgrades to their really loyal clients

Just corporate greed these programs

[theSuperStar]

Sounds like a good sale to me, I'm in.

[Current Delta Platinum status]

Yes, this is great except I had already been figuring my miles to reach Platinum again by December 31 and have purchased non-refundable tickets to accomplish this goal on un-necessary trips. Why was this promotion not advertised earlier in the year rather than 3 weeks before the yearly deadline?

[LK]

I think a formula for trade of bonus miles for EQMs is a great idea. I would trade 100 000 bonus miles for 10 000 EQMs

[Another DM]

Don't forget that these are strictly one-purpose Medallion Qualifying Miles and will not be added to your total of Redeemable Miles which can be used for trips.

[Moto]

So for $6712.5 I can get 75,000 MQM's and make Platinum Medallion from scratch. My math is 7.5 times $895. Seems very expensive. I could buy a few tickets with that money or nice hotel rooms. It you already have 70,000 you can pay $495 for $5,000, but then there are no rollover miles in 2012.

[JH]

Anyone know if American has a similar program to purchase miles that count towards status?

[MARCIA STAUBER]

AS I TRAVEL FROM MIAMI TO CDG PARIS VERY OFTEN TO MAINTAIN MY ELITE PLATITUM STATUS PAYING AROUND 1000 ON AVERAGE MORE OR LESS FOR AN ECONOMY TICKET AND GET ABOUT 9000 MILES THIS WILL SAVE ME AN EXTRA TRIP TOWARDS MY ELITE STATUS SO FOR ME IT WAS WORTH THE PRICE AND SAVES ME AN EXTRA TRIP AS I CAN ROLLOVER THE MQM FOR NEXT YEAR

[Delta Diamond Member]

My rule of thumb is $.10 a mile for MQMs. Assuming that the plane has internet and/or a power port for the laptop, you can use the time on the mileage run working (or sleeping on Delta's 777 flat beds, if you are upgraded to business/first class.) So, the $895 for 10,000 miles is actually quite a bargain.

[eanmdphd]

I have suggested that airlines allow for the trade in of accumulated NON-ELITE, not in the seat miles (credit card, car rentals, hotel stays, etc) for ELITE miles on a 10 to 1 ratio.

Would people give up 100,000 bonus miles for 10,000 elite miles to upgrade their elite status for a year?