I knew that the final concept of Delta’s new elite necessities appeared to comply with United and AA’s lead (see: Delta’s 2024 elite program – it ain’t fairly), however till I began crunching the numbers I didn’t understand that Delta should have actually copied United’s numbers after which utilized a couple of tweaks. Let me present you what I discovered…
MQDs = PQPs + 20%
Check out this. Apart from top-tier Diamond standing, Delta’s new MQD necessities are precisely 20% greater than United’s PQPs.
It’s fairly blatant, isn’t it? I wager when Delta first decided the necessities they penciled in $24K x 1.2 = $28,800 for Diamond, however then determined to multiply by 1.2 once more to get to 34,560, after which they rounded off to $35K.
Credit score Card Spend Matches Completely
Right here’s the place it will get much more fascinating. United provides 500 PQPs per $12K spend on quite a lot of bank cards. So, regardless that there are caps on what number of PQPs you may earn (until you might have the previous Presidential Plus Card), we will undertaking how a lot spend is required to earn every standing stage if there have been no caps and for those who earn standing solely by means of bank card spend. Examine this out:
The bank card spend required for Silver, Gold, and Platinum are precisely the identical!
Right here, clearly Delta desires to encourage individuals to get and put spend on the Delta Reserve card as a result of with that card you may earn standing with half the spend proven above.
Coincidence? No approach
I don’t assume there’s any approach that it may be coincidence that Delta’s new necessities for the primary three ranges of elite standing monitor completely with United’s. I’d have anticipated Delta to place extra thought on this, however as an alternative we will plainly see the place they acquired their inspiration and their detailed numbers.
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