When you fly what’s the goal? Is it a two-week vacation once a year? Is it four one-week vacations in a year? Is it that I’m flying every chance that I get? For me, it’s the latter. I understand two things, I have a passport that gets me into most countries visa-free and that I have the means to travel whenever I want and how I want. That being said. My ultimate goal is to visit every country in the world and while that might take a few years, I plan to get there in style.
That’s where status comes in. Last year I was fortunate enough to have Delta Airlines Platinum Medallion Status. I didn’t qualify for it outright but the reason being the gift was between 2019 and 2021 I traveled enough to meet the requirements and they were gifting it to their most loyal customers. There was a choice of welcome gifts but me being inexperienced, I chose miles. I don’t regret it because the 20K miles turned into a redemption to St.Lucia first class but had I known what I know now, I would have chosen upgrades (more on that to come)
Whenever I walked by first class my thought process was yea these seats cost money but I quickly learned otherwise. Don’t get me wrong if you purchase it outright they do but theirs a trick, Status!
I’ve always had Delta Medallion Silver status that came with the occasional upgrade but they were few and far between. With Platinum Medallion it seems like they were coming on every flight. Typically, I try to save my money and stretch it to maximize flights but this was something else. I bought a ticket in the main cabin and in five minutes got an email for an upgrade to Comfort Plus. I thought how nice, and five days before the flight I got confirmed for a first-class upgrade. Still thinking nothing of it I kept going. Until I realized for an 11-month stretch I missed the first class twice, LGA to ATL and JFK to LAX. I realized once it’s not a busy route first class is almost guaranteed unless it’s an international flight. Then you have to redeem your Global or Regional upgrade certificates for a higher class. (Certificates will be my choice going forward)
Fast forward to 2023, I’m actively aiming to get Gold Medallion Status and I’m close. It comes with similar benefits to Platinum Medallion it’s just you are behind two groups for upgrades (Diamond Medallion and Platinum Medallion) in terms of upgrades (three of you count Delta 360)
My strategy for this year is to make it to Gold Medallion status and then utilize Delta’s rollover miles feature to aim for Platinum in 2024. So far this year I’ve been to some great places like Jamaica and Chile and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any parties mentioned. None of the entities mentioned has reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content listed in this post.
