Delta Airlines jet painted with “Dedicated to The World’s Best Employees & Customers” and “Thank … [+]
In an email to consumers Wednesday afternoon, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian shared an update to the drastic changes made to the SkyMiles program last month. They included limiting Sky Club access for many American Express cardmembers to a few times a year and raising the requirements to achieve elite status (while dropping the ability to earn it on segments). Following much speculation, Bastian said that the overwhelming email response of disappointment led to a slight “walk back” of these changes. Taking effect in 2024 for the 2025 Medallion status year, these are some of the anticipated updates for members.
Lower Thresholds For Elite Status
Chiba, Japan – May 05, 2019:Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 (N512DN) passenger plane.
While earning status will still be based on dollars spent (instead of the number of flight segments and miles flown), the amount needed will be reduced. The previously announced Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) requirement to achieve status was higher. The new levels drop the requirements to:
- Silver Medallion: from 6,000 to 5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: from 12,000 to 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: from 18,000 to 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: from 35,000 to 28,000 MQDs
Travelers with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Business Platinum American Express Card will receive an automatic $2,500 MQD bonus each year, effective Feb. 1, 2024.
Sky Club Limitations Relaxed, But Only Slightly
Los Angeles, California, USA – August.01.2019: Delta Sky Club lounge at LAX Airport Terminal 2.
Delta has experienced significant overcrowding in its lounges, in part due to the superior experience it offers in its Sky Clubs. The lounges are often newer, with more impressive food and beverage options. The prior changes were mostly focused on American Express credit card holders who used their card to access the lounge. Today’s announcement walks back some of those downgrades, but only slightly.
Effective February 1, 2025, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card will now have 15 days of access throughout the calendar year. One day will cover a 24-hour period from the first entrance, which allows those on “red-eye” flights to access the lounge in more than one airport on the same “day.” Previously, the announcement was that cardholders were only allowed 10 visits per year, with each entry counted as one visit.
New York City, New York – March 1, 2020: Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER airplane at New York JFK … [+]
Once the allotted number of days has been used in a calendar year, cardholders can pay $50 for an entrance pass. Those who spend more than $75,000 on the card will unlock unlimited access.
Those who use The Platinum Card from American Express to access the lounge will now have ten days of access per calendar year (up from six). This was one of the primary gripes of cardholders in social media circles who used the card for lounge access. Instead, anyone with Medallion status can purchase an individual membership to the lounge for $695.
Million Miler Status Improved
Los Angeles, CA/USA: Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-302 (registration N826NW) shown departing from the … [+]
Airlines often tally the number of miles a passenger flies over their lifetime and offer an incentive to stay loyal. For Delta, this is known as Million Miler status, and the carrier offers one of the more generous programs in the industry. It is also being improved with this most recent update. Now, members who achieve the below tiers will receive a higher lifetime status.
- 6 million+ from Diamond Medallion to Delta 360°
- 5 million from Platinum Medallion to Delta 360°
- 4 million from Platinum Medallion to Diamond Medallion
- 3 million from Gold Medallion to Diamond Medallion
- 2 million from Gold Medallion to Platinum Medallion
- 1 million from Silver Medallion to Gold Medallion
This is perhaps the most significant upgrade to the program for many travelers as lifetime Diamond Medallion status can be unlocked after flying three million miles over one’s lifetime. There are many travelers who have achieved this tier.
More notable is membership in the airline’s invitation-only Delta 360 program after achieving five million miles flown.
Updates To Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 31: Delta Airlines Flight Attendants during the press conference to launch … [+]
Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) were one metric used to achieve elite status, but starting in 2024, they will no longer be used. Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are the only way to reach status. While the previous announcement said members could convert MQMs to MQDs at a low ratio or cash them in for SkyMiles, there have been some changes to that to provide incentive to continue earning MQMs in 2023 before the program changes.
While not outlining the full plan, one option will be for members with rollover miles to select a one-year extension to their current Medallion for every 100,000 MQMs they have.
More Choice Benefits
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24, 2017: Delta Airlines and Delta Connection passenger jets are serviced … [+]
Once a member reaches Platinum or Diamond Medallion status, they can select from Choice Benefits that include perks like bonus miles or travel credit. Several new options are being added with this latest update.
- $2,000 in MQD credit for Diamond Medallions and $1,000 for Platinum Medallions
- Bringing back the Delta Sky Club individual membership for Diamond Medallions, although this will cost two Choice Benefit selections
- More bonus miles with 35,000 for Diamond Medallion members and 30,000 for Platinum Medallion members
- Raising the Delta travel voucher to $350 for Diamond Medallions and $300 for Platinum Medallions
- Wheels Up flight credit
Delta Acknowledges The Disappointment
Atlanta, GA, USA- July 29, 2016: An entrance to the Delta Air Lines World Headquarters complex … [+]
The uproar over the SkyMiles changes caused many travelers to cancel American Express cards, take part in status matches to other airlines and cancel flights with Delta. Bastian acknowledges the airline went too far.
“I have read hundreds of your emails, and what’s been most clear to me is how much you love Delta and the disappointment many of you felt by the significance of the changes,” he says. “I appreciate your opinions and understand your disappointment. Your voice matters, and we are listening.”
Former Delta Airlines CEO Jerry Grinstein (L) looks on as Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian bangs the … [+]
The changes were made due to a growing number of Medallion members making elite status feel less “special.” In its most recent quarter, Delta achieved a record profit, and these forward-looking changes are surely designed to continue that trend. Now, SkyMiles members can decide their future travel plans with a little bit of relief, especially for Million Miler members receiving a proverbial “olive branch” for their long-term loyalty.