First among many changes coming with SkyMiles 2015 is a revenue requirement for status. In my case, I’m Platinum Medallion, and the minimum spend requirement for the 2015 program year is $7,500. I shouldn’t have a problem hitting that by year’s end, even though I am a little behind last year on ticket spend.  There was no need to fret though because SkyMiles offers a handy way around the revenue requirement, spending $25,000 annually on your Delta American Express card.
I had not really focused on Delta card spend until a few weeks ago because I had other spending priorities. That said, when I realized I was a little behind last year on ticket spend, I began to take things more seriously, just in case. It turns out, I wasn’t very far away at all from meeting the $25,000 spend requirement on my Amex, so I front loaded some spend – drink packages for an upcoming cruise, etc., and like magic, it was done.
The 10,000 MQMs and bonus redeemable miles that come with hitting $25K posted immediately after my Amex statement closed. However, the MQD waiver did not reflect immediately. Instead, it posted the morning after my bonus miles and MQMs arrived. Moral of the story – don’t forget about card spend as a way to help you meet your elite status goals. And when you hit the spend, it might take an extra day or so for the SkyMiles MQD waiver to appear. Platinum Medallion 2015 in the bag.
-MJ, November 26, 2014
