Delta Air Lines is backtracking on recent changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program which sparked criticism from frequent flyers. In rolling back some of the changes today, Delta said that it received “valuable feedback from… SkyMiles® Members” and that it has “made adjustments and added new benefits to ensure you are rewarded for your loyalty.”
This includes making Medallion® Status more accessible, enhanced 2025 Choice Benefits, additional options for Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) Rollover balances, greater flexibility for eligible Card Members for Delta Sky Club® access and further recognition and rewards for long-term loyalty.
But Delta is keeping in place a significant part of the overhaul announced just last month that transitioned the loyalty program from miles-based to spending-based.
Updated 2024 MQD Thresholds for 2025 Status
Delta has adjusted the number of MQDs for each tier. The adjusted thresholds are:
While that’s a small improvement from last month’s changes, it is significantly higher that the original spending requirements.
MQD Boost for Select Delta Amex Cardmembers
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card Members now receive an MQD Headstart of $2,500 MQDs for the 2025 Medallion Qualification Year.
If you have more than one of these credit cards, then you get multiple MQD boosts, up to 10,000 MQDs for having all four eligible credit cards.
Delta Sky Club Access Changes
Delta is amending some of our Delta Sky Club access policies that will go into effect in 2025.
Multiple visits over a 24 hour period, for example, will now count as a single visit credit. That will benefit frequent business travelers who are lucrative customers for airlines.
Credit card holders will also receive more visit credits than under the September program modifications. Starting February 1, 2025, Delta Reserve cardmembers will get 15 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits annually. That’s up from 10 in last month’s changes. If you have the Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express you will get 10 Sky Club visits per annually, up from 6 that was announced last month.
Delta Reserve and Amex Platinum consumer and business cardmembers will also have the ability to purchase Club access at a rate of $50 per person per visit after using all of their Club visits. This wasn’t an option with the changes announced last month.
Million Miler Program Enhancements
Delta is upleveling Annual Complimentary Status:
- Million Miler Members will receive Annual Complimentary Gold Status.
- 2 Million Miler Members will receive Annual Complimentary Platinum Status.
- 3 and 4 Million Miler Members will receive Annual Complimentary Diamond Status.
- 5+ Million Miler Members will receive an annual invitation for Delta 360° Membership.
Delta has also changed its Complimentary Upgrade priority for 2024, which includes Million Miler Status moving up in the hierarchy for complimentary upgrades to the #3 priority position.
As of January 1, 2024, Million Miler Status will be earned via flight miles flown (excluding Basic Economy fares) and added to your total Million Miler balance. Any MQMs already earned toward Million Miler Status will remain.
Enhanced Choice Benefits Selections
The airline is debuting and updating several 2025 Medallion Year Choice Benefit options for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members. These offerings will be available for selection beginning February 1, 2024.
- Accelerate your earning for the next Medallion Year with increased amounts of MQDs: $2,000 MQDs for Diamond Members and $1,000 MQDs for Platinum Members.
- In addition to the current Executive Membership option, Diamond Medallion Members may choose unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs for themselves through an Individual Membership, in exchange for 2 Choice Benefit selections.
- Diamond Medallion Members can select a benefit of 35,000 miles and Platinum Medallion Members can select a benefit of 30,000 miles.
- Delta Travel Voucher amount is increasing to $350 for Diamond Medallion Members and $300 for Platinum Medallion Members. Vouchers can be used toward a Delta flight or a Delta Vacations package.
- Wheels Up flight credit for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members.
More Options for Rollover MQM Balances
While you can continue to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) throughout the rest of 2023 toward your 2024 Medallion Status, MQMs and MQM Rollover will be departing at the end of 2023. Beginning in early 2024, we will offer a one-time conversion of your Rollover MQMs or a Medallion Status extension for Members with a significant Rollover MQM balance.
- MQMs in 2023: You will still earn MQMs until December 31, 2023
- One-Time Rollover MQM Conversion: Starting early 2024, you will be able to choose how you would like to convert your Rollover MQMs
- MQDs Reset Annually: MQD spending will continue to reset each calendar year
You will have until December 31, 2024 to decide how you would like your Rollover MQMs converted. You can choose to convert them to MQDs, miles or a combination of both. Members with MQM Rollover balances over 100,000 can also choose to extend their 2024 Medallion Status for 1 year per every 100,000 Rollover MQMs.
Guru’s Wrap-up
I’m not sure if this was Delta’s plan all along, or if they really didn’t expect this kind of blowback to their original drastic changes.
Delta is walking back many of the changes that were announced back in September, but not all of them.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
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